Online MSW Programs in Maine

Are there online MSW programs based in Maine?

Yes. Maine offers multiple in-state MSW programs in online, blended, or low-residency formats. Verified examples include the University of New England’s 100% online MSW, the University of Maine’s blended online MSW, and the University of Southern Maine’s low-residency MSW option. Students should verify current CSWE status, delivery format, field requirements, and admissions eligibility directly with each school.

Can Maine residents enroll in out-of-state online MSW programs?

Often, yes. Students should confirm state authorization, admissions eligibility, field placement availability in Maine, and whether the curriculum may help meet Maine licensure requirements.

Is CSWE accreditation important?

Yes. Maine’s board requires an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program for Licensed Master Social Worker, Licensed Master Social Worker Conditional Clinical, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker pathways.

Does an online MSW automatically qualify you for LCSW licensure in Maine?

No. An online MSW may help meet Maine’s graduate education requirement, but applicants must also meet Maine’s exam, consultation/supervision, application, and renewal requirements. Students should verify current requirements with the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure.

State licensing board

Professional licensure for social workers in Maine is administered by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure, within the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation. The board evaluates qualifications, verifies credentials, examines applicants, grants and renews licenses, investigates complaints, and may take disciplinary action.

Relevant state law and rules

Maine’s board directs applicants to Maine social work licensure laws and board rules, including rules on definitions, endorsement, continuing education, code of ethics, telehealth, license requirements, and scope of practice.

Common MSW-level license path

Common MSW-level credentials in Maine include Licensed Master Social Worker (LM), Licensed Master Social Worker, Conditional Clinical (MC), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LC). Because social work licenses are administered at the state level, license titles and terminology vary by state.

Graduate education

For LM, MC, and LC licensure pathways, Maine requires an official transcript showing an earned MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program. Students should verify any clinical concentration or worksheet requirements directly with the board.

Exam

Maine requires documentation of successful passage of the ASWB Master's examination for LM and MC licensure, and of the ASWB Clinical examination for LC licensure.

In Maine, the board grants conditional licenses to any person eligible to take the licensure examination while waiting to sit for it, or to any person waiting to retake the examination, according to board-issued rules.

Supervised experience

For LC licensure, Maine requires 96 hours of consultation concurrent with 3,200 hours of social work employment in a clinical setting, completed through previously approved consultant(s). Maine law also states that consultation must be concurrent with the first 3,200 hours of social work employment and must occur over a period of not less than 2 years and not more than 4 years.

State-specific requirements

Maine applicants should review the current board forms for the online application, the clinical concentration worksheet (where applicable), consultation agreement or verification forms, official license verifications, fees, renewal requirements, continuing education, ethics, and family or intimate partner violence training.

Maine lists 25 hours of continuing education for LM, MC, and LC renewal, including at least 4 ethics hours and a one-time 12-contact-hour requirement on family or intimate partner violence.

Contact Information

Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, 35 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0035.

Email: socwkr.board@maine.gov

Phone: (207) 624-8634

Telecommunications relay users may dial 711 for Maine Relay.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Schools, child welfare agencies, family service organizations, and community programs

$62,620

Healthcare Social Workers

Hospitals, clinics, hospice, care coordination, and public health organizations

$72,520

Mental Health and

Substance Abuse Social Workers

Behavioral health agencies, mental health clinics, substance use treatment centers

$67,820

Social Workers, All Other

Policy, administration, research, community development, and specialized social service roles

$55,220

All Occupations

Summary of all reported wages within the state across all job types

$49,440

Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure

Official requirements for Maine social work licenses, including Licensed Master Social Worker (LM), Licensed Master Social Worker, Conditional Clinical (MC), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LC) licenses, applications, consultation/supervised experience, ASWB exams, fees, and renewal rules. This should be the final source of truth for licensing questions.

CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs

Whether an MSW program is currently CSWE-accredited or in candidacy status. Students can search by school, state, degree level, and accreditation status.

ASWB Exam Information

Which social work licensing exams are available, how exam registration works, and what to expect from the exam process. Students should still confirm which exam their state requires.

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)

Whether an institution participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), which helps confirm whether it may offer distance education to students in other SARA states. Students can use this as a starting point for checking online enrollment authorization, but SARA participation does not confirm that an MSW program meets state social work licensure requirements. Students should also confirm state authorization directly with the school before applying.

School Professional Licensure Disclosures

Whether the school has determined that its MSW program meets, does not meet, or has not yet been determined to meet educational requirements for social work licensure in a student’s state. Students should review these disclosures before applying and follow up with the program or state licensing board if the information is unclear.

School Program Pages

Current admissions requirements, tuition, start dates, online format, advanced-standing options, field-placement policies, and whether the program currently accepts students from your state.