The University of Southern Maine (USM) nationally-accredited Master of Science in Counseling program offers three concentrations:

Flexible Scheduling and Online Options

Each concentration offers a flexible course schedule and can be completed in as little as two years of full-time study or up to six years of part-time study. Many of our courses are offered both online and in-person on the Gorham campus — you can select which option works best for your learning style and for your schedule.

The low-residency Rehabilitation concentration is a blended program, with 90% of courses offered online and a flexible schedule for the required in-person courses.

Planning Your Schedule

Many students find it helpful to review our Course Plan, which provides the Counseling course schedule through summer of 2025.

Our Faculty

As a Counseling student, you’ll receive insightful instruction and support from our dedicated faculty. Along with their commitment to student success, each faculty member strives to provide leadership for the counseling profession at the state, regional, and national levels

Beyond the Classroom

Our master’s program includes 700-1000 hours of field experience through practicum and internship, which provides an opportunity to develop and enhance your counseling skills in a mental health or education setting — with supervision and support. Your program coordinator will work with you to select agency or school sites that align with your location, your schedule, and your career path.

We assist our out-of-state students studying in the Rehabilitation concentration in selecting fieldwork sites that are close to their homes.

Licensure and Certification

Each of our concentrations qualifies graduates to sit for the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE), as well as other applicable exams to obtain the licensures and certifications required for professional counseling practice.

Our graduates have a 99% success rate on the NCE.

This program will prepare students to be eligible for licensure within the State of Maine. Visit the State of Maine Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure page to learn more about the licensure, and for contact information to inquire further about the licensure requirements associated with this program.

Financial Resources and Support

The University is committed to offering an excellent education at an affordable cost. We offer a number of financial resources for our graduate students:

Our Office of Graduate Study coordinates graduate services and support while you advance your education

Admission Information

The MS in Counseling program admits for both fall and spring semesters. See twice yearly deadlines and requirements here:

About Each Counseling Concentration

  • Clinical Mental Health Counselors focus on approaches that promote well being and mental health. Students develop skills to prevent a loss of functioning during life transitions, as well as skills for support during those periods when optimal functioning declines due to stress or challenge.
  • In our 63-credit program, many students use elective credits to focus on an Area of Study — such as Family Systems or Substance Abuse — or to develop an area of interest, such as family counseling, substance use counseling, or creative arts approaches.
  • Graduates qualify to serve as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), and those pursuing the Substance Abuse Area of Expertise qualify to serve as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).

Learn more about the Clinical Mental Health Concentration

  • Rehabilitation Counselors help people with disabilities participate in the living, learning, working, and social situations of their choice, and to build on their existing strengths and resources to achieve their life goals.
  • The Rehabilitation Concentration is a low-residency program. Roughly 90% of the courses are offered in a blended/online format, and our out-of-state students benefit from reduced e-tuition.
  • We offer two tracks: A 63-credit Clinical Track and a 54-credit Vocational Track.
  • Both tracks qualify graduates to serve as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
  • The Clinical Track also qualifies students to obtain their Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community (MHRT/C) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certifications during the program, and to serve as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) upon graduation.

Learn more about the Clinical and Vocational Rehabilitation Concentration

  • Our 60-credit School Counseling Concentration prepares graduates with the unique qualifications needed to address students’ academic, social, emotional and career development needs during their primary and secondary education.
  • Through leadership, provision of direct services, data-driven programming, and consultation and collaboration with all stakeholders, School Counselors play a prominent role in maximizing student success and in helping to create a safe and cohesive learning environment for all students.
  • Graduates of our School Counseling Concentration are eligible for certification from the Maine Department of Education in School Counseling, grades K-12.

Learn more about the School Counseling Concentration