A bachelor’s degree in psychology is a great option for people who wish to pursue a career in psychology, sociology, business, law, medicine and many other fields. The state of Maine is fortunate to have a variety of options for a college education in psychology. With small, intimate colleges and large campuses, students can choose the environment that will suit them ideally. With options ranging from fully online, to completely on campus and almost every option in between, each student can work within their lifestyle and their schedule.
Thomas College
The Psychology Department
Thomas College is a private liberal arts college, located in Waterville. Thomas has been nationally recognized for its programs in:
- business
- education
- technology
It offers degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. The college offers more than 30 majors in the undergraduate program including:
- accounting
- criminal justice
- elementary education
- sports management
- psychology
- information technology
In 1894 the school was established as a nonsectarian, co-educational college with the goal of career training for young men and women. In 2015, US News and World Report ranked Thomas as the 44th best academic institution in the northern region of the United States. The Psychology Department at Thomas works to help students understand the complicated interplay between mind, body, society, and philosophy. The department uses an interdisciplinary, individualized program to advance student’s unique interests and goals.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree program offers a number of foundational courses in psychology, including a wide range of elective courses that allows each students to tailor the program to their specific interests and goals. Students are immersed in the theories and methods rudimentary to the field at large. Students are responsible for the development of research materials. The program is designed to be multidisciplinary. Many students complete courses from other related disciplines throughout the college. It is possible for students to pursue a double major culminating in two bachelor’s degrees earned in just four years. Faculty members “team-teach” courses across multiple disciplines in subject areas such as communications and psychology.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Concentration in Forensic Psychology
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Concentration in Forensic Psychology teaches students about the basic tenets of forensic psychology, specifically the intersection of human behavior and the legal system. For students interested in how “behavior, thoughts, feelings, and actions relate to criminal justice, civil law, and other systems designed to manage human behavior”, this major is an excellent option. The program prepares students for a range of entry-level positions or graduate study. Graduates of this program are prepared for careers in fields such as:
- Sentencing advocacy
- Community corrections
- Correctional case management/counseling
- Juvenile rehabilitation
- Victim/witness coordination
- Domestic violence advocacy/treatment
- Graduate training in social work, forensic psychology, criminal justice or law
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Thomas College
The Psychology Department
180 West River Road
Waterville, ME 04901
(207) 859-1111
E-Mail: hortont@thomas.edu
Program Website
University of Maine
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono. In 1865, the school was founded as a land grant college and is considered the flagship university of the University of Maine System. Current enrollment is over 11,000 students, making UMaine the largest university in the state. It is also the only institution in Maine classified as a research university (RU/H) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. In 2015, US News and World Report ranked UMaine as the 173rd best national university and the 97th top public school. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is a central department and the academic “heart” of the University of Maine. Programs throughout the CLAS offer core foundational skills in areas that advance undergraduate students’ intellectual, communicative and analytical abilities. Through this strong liberal arts education, students develop the skills to discover, investigate and think critically about the physical, intellectual and cultural environments that are around us all.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is offered with optional concentrations in:
- Abnormal/Social Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Biological/Cognitive Psychology
Whether a student is pursuing a Generalist Psychology degree or one of the concentration areas, the undergraduate curriculum adheres to the undergraduate guidelines set forth by the APA:
- Theory and Content of Psychology – Students will demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
- Research Methods in Psychology- Students will understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
- Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology- Students will respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
- Application of Psychology- Students will understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.
- Values in Psychology- Students will be able to weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
- Information and Technological Literacy- Students will demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology for many purposes.
- Communications Skills- Students will be able to communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
- Sociocultural and International Awareness- Students will recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.
- Personal Development- Students will develop insight into their own and others’ behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement.
- Career Planning and Development- Students will emerge from the major with realistic ideas about how to implement their psychological knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings.
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
University of Maine
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of Psychology
301 Little Hall
Orono, Maine 04469-5782
(207) 581-2030
E-mail: michael.robbins@umit.maine.edu
Program Website
University of Maine at Farmington
The Psychology Department
The University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) was founded in 1864 as Maine’s first public institution of higher education. UMF is a public liberal arts college and a founding member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. The school offers programs in:
- teacher education
- human services
- arts and sciences
In 2015, US News and World Report ranked UMF as the 18th best academic institution in the northern region of the United States and the 5th best top public school.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree program offers students a welcoming learning environment where they have the ability to:
- investigate the field of psychology
- create lasting mentoring relationships with faculty
- deepen their knowledge of self and others
In addition to traditional classroom work, students are encouraged to gather real world learning experience in both research and practice through:
- internships
- independent study
- service-learning opportunities
- practica
It is these experiential learning prospects that make up the core of the Psychology Department’s “humanistic frame of reference.” Students can choose to further specialize their degree by participating in the Counseling Psychology Track. Students in this track are eligible to receive Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community (MHRT/C) certification from the state of Maine.
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
University of Maine at Farmington
The Psychology Department
111 South Street
Farmington, Maine USA 04938
(207) 778-7050
E-Mail: umfadmit@maine.edu
Program Website
University of Maine at Presque Isle
The Psychology Department
The University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) is part of the University of Maine System. The school is located in Presque Isle. It offers training in:
- career and professional fields
- teacher education
- health and human services
- arts and sciences
- the natural sciences
In addition to traditional degrees, the university offers:
- associate degrees
- articulated transfer arrangements
- non-degree certificates
- continuing education for practicing professionals
- a unique online learning project called UMPI OpenU.
UMPI OpenU allows students to enroll in an online UMPI course at no cost as long as they are not seeking college credit for completion of the course. In 2015, US News and World Report ranked UMPI as the 46th best academic institution in the northern region of the United States, the 15th best top public school and 16th best school for veterans.
The Psychology Department offers undergraduate students a strong foundation in the scientific study of mental processes and human behavior.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree program have the opportunity to master their skill set through one of two capstone experiences – either a practicum or an advanced research project. All psychology majors are required to complete:
- six core courses
- seven additional courses selected from two specified sets
- a senior capstone experience
In total, there are 39 credit hours in Psychology course work required for degree completion. Students interested in pursuing a mental health position in the State of Maine may need to complete the Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician II Certification.
Online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The online BA in Psychology program uses the same strong curriculum as the on campus format. It’s taught by the same professors. The coursework included in this program helps students develop their ability to interpret, analyze, and communicate in a range of professional and academic settings. The flexible program format allows each student to create his or her own academic schedule.
There is a wide variety of online courses available, so students have the ability to choose courses suited to their academic needs. Online courses are offered throughout the year, including two summer sessions. Students have the option of concentrating their course work or spreading it out to best fit their unique schedule. Each student is assigned a full-time advisor who acts as both an instructor and a mentor, working with you to ensure your ability to complete the degree program within four years (full-time). The academic advisor will also assist students by answering questions of credit transferability or prior learning credit. One of the biggest strengths of UMPI’s online degree program is that online learners experience the same low student/faculty ratio as on-campus students. This means that students study closely with their professors and classmates in the same way they would in the traditional on campus format.
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
University of Maine at Presque Isle
The Psychology Department
81 Main Street
Presque Isle, ME 04769
206 South Hall
(207) 768-9455
Email: paul.e.johnson@umpi.edu
Program Website
University of New England
The College of Arts and Sciences
The University of New England (UNE) is an independent, coeducational university founded in 1939. The main campus is located in Biddeford. Smaller satellite campuses are located in Portland, Maine, Tangier, Morocco and Online. Enrollment is currently over 8,000, with undergraduate and graduate degree options.
In 1977, the university opened the medical school, the UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine, which is the only medical school in the state of Maine. In 2013, the formation of the College of Dental Medicine made UNE the only academic institution in northern New England to support a dental school. In 2015, US News and World Report ranked 79th on the list of top colleges and universities in the northern region of the United States. The College of Arts and Sciences is located on the Biddeford Campus.
Study in the liberal arts and sciences require investigation of the natural world, as well as study of human kind. The college believes strongly in study and training that promotes a sense of empathy and understanding. This pursuit of knowledge and empathy for others is central to the mission of the College of Arts and Sciences and is reflected in the Core Curriculum.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree program promotes the study of psychology as an empirically based science. The program supports this focus through a diverse faculty who possess expertise and experience in:
- human development
- clinical psychology
- cognitive neuroscience
- learning and memory
- social psychology
- the biological basis of behavior
- animal modeling
In addition to the generalist psychology degree, there is also a minor in Art Therapy, and a minor that satisfies the requirements for Maine Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community (MHRT/C) certification.
Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience
The Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience degree program is a multidisciplinary major supported by several departments. Faculty members possess expertise and training in the many disciplines related to neuroscience including:
- psychology
- biology
- biomedical sciences
- chemistry
- philosophy
Neuroscience majors complete their studies at the Biddeford Campus where they investigate the structure and function of the nervous system. At the same time, they are developing a strong general science background. Several required courses are devoted to the study of the brain. Students must complete a detailed project that defines the limits of knowledge in at least one aspect of neuroscience. The program allows a great deal of flexibility in the last two years of study. Students can customize their training toward an area of personal interest, with potential focus areas in:
- cellular/molecular neurobiology
- behavioral neuroscience
- cognitive science
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
University of New England
The College of Arts and Sciences
11 Hills Beach Road
Biddeford, Maine 04005
Patricia Long, Ph.D. – Chair, Department of Psychology
(207) 602-2099
E-Mail: plong3@une.edu
Program Website
University of Southern Maine
The College of Science, Technology, and Health
The University of Southern Maine (USM) is a public comprehensive university and a member institution of the University of Maine System. USM is a multi-campus university with three primary campuses located in Portland, Gorham and Lewiston. There are also a wide variety of courses and degree programs offered fully online.
USM was founded as two individual universities, Gorham Normal School and the University of Maine at Portland. In 1970 the two state universities were combined and eventually expanded by adding the Lewiston campus in 1988. The College of Science, Technology, and Health (CSTH) is a “progressive unit of the University of Southern Maine that provides educational, research, and service opportunities relating to the application of science, technology, and health to the medical, industrial, educational, and business communities”. The CSTH offers several dynamic STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs as well as cutting edge health profession degree options.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The Department of Psychology offers a four-year bachelor’s degree program for students majoring in psychology. Additionally, the department includes a variety of courses for students majoring in allied fields, as well as for students who may benefit from psychology training as part of their general education. The curriculum and individual courses are designed to promote an understanding of the basic principles of psychology, psychological research, and the means by which psychological knowledge is gathered. The program emphasizes the “scientific inquiry into basic phenomena and principles of behavior, not upon the development of professional skills.”
Psychology majors are introduced to the empirical scientific study of basic psychological processes, principles and theories. The program does not emphasize undergraduate students acquiring professional counseling skills. Psychology majors will complete course work in:
- general psychology
- statistics
- research methodology
- biology and neuropsychology
- sensory processes
- cognition
- social psychology
- lifespan development
- psychopathology
Junior and Senior psychology majors have the option to participate in independent projects, such as conducting research or assisting with faculty research and teaching.
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
University of Southern Maine
The College of Science, Technology, and Health
PO Box 9300
Department of Psychology
506 Science Building
Portland Campus
Portland, ME 04104
(800) 780-4250
E-Mail: psych@usm.maine.edu
Program Website
Maine is a hot bed of academic opportunities. With options for online learning, traditional classroom learning as well as hybrid and web enhanced programs. Even busy working adult students can find a schedule that works in their lifestyle. Throughout Maine students can choose a school, a program and a setting that allows them to earn their Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in a way that works for them.
For More Bachelor’s Degrees in Maine – B-S