Maine · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Maine
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Maine, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
5 schools in Maine offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Saint Joseph's College of Maine, University of Maine and University of Maine at Presque Isle. 1 option is online. In-state tuition and fees at Maine public universities start at $8,990 a year (2023-24). Maine licenses BSW graduates as the Licensed Social Worker, Conditional (LSX).
- First years: general education and intro coursesPsychology, sociology, human biology, intro to social work
- Apply to the social work majorUsually in the second year, with a GPA minimum
- Senior field practicumAt least 400 supervised hours in an agency
- License: LSX (none)Or an MSW in about a year with advanced standing
- CSWE BSW schools
- 5
- BSW options
- 6
- online options
- 1
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $8,990
- BSW license
- LSX
Does Maine License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Licensed Social Worker, Conditional (LSX)
- License
- Licensed Social Worker, Conditional (LSX)
- Degree required
- Bachelor's degree with education sufficiently related to social work or social welfare
- Exam
- none
- Supervision
- Must hold an active consultation agreement to practice; to advance to LS, completes 96 hours of consultation concurrent with 3,200 hours of social work employment while holding the LSX
- License
- Licensed Social Worker (LS)
- Degree required
- Bachelor's degree in social work or social welfare, or completion of the consultation requirements while licensed as an LSX
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Supervision
- LS applicants with a social work degree hold a consultation agreement for the first 2 to 4 years of licensure and complete 96 hours of consultation concurrent with 3,200 hours of social work employment
From Maine Board of Social Worker Licensure, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, reviewed 2026-09-30. Maine board of social work · BSW license checker
Maine BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maine at Presque IslePresque Isle · Public | Campus | CSWE | $8,990$14,270 out-of-state | ||
| University of Southern MainePortland · Public | Campus | CSWE | $10,920$27,104 out-of-state | Yes | |
| University of MaineOrono · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $12,606$35,346 out-of-state | Yes | |
| University of New EnglandBiddeford · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $42,550 | Yes | |
| Saint Joseph's College of MaineStandish · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $42,834 |
Programs from each school's own pages, reviewed October 2026; CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Tuition and fees are the federal figures for a full-time undergraduate year, 2023-24 (NCES College Navigator).
Every BSW Program in Maine
6 programs in Maine
- FormatOn campusTuition$12,606per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineTuition$441per creditAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BSW) at University of Southern Maine
University of Southern Maine school profile · PortlandFormatOn campusTuition$10,920per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at University of Maine at Presque Isle
University of Maine at Presque Isle school profile · Presque IsleFormatOn campusTuition$8,370per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$42,834per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) at University of New England
University of New England school profile · BiddefordFormatOn campusTuition$42,550per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed October 2026. Tuition is the program's own published rate where the school states one; otherwise it's the school's federal undergraduate tuition and fees for a full-time year, 2023-24 (in-state at public universities), from NCES College Navigator. "Resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What a BSW Costs in Maine
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Maine's BSW schools run from $8,990 at University of Maine at Presque Isle to $42,834 at Saint Joseph's College of Maine; the Maine median is $12,606, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 3 of 5 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| University of Maine at Presque Isle tuitionPublic | $8,990 | $14,270 |
| University of Southern Maine tuitionPublic | $10,920 | $27,104 |
| University of Maine tuitionPublic | $12,606 | $35,346 |
| University of New England tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $42,550 | $42,550 |
| Saint Joseph's College of Maine tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $42,834 | $42,834 |
Full-time undergraduate tuition and required fees, 2023-24 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS). Compare schools side by side with the BSW cost comparison.
From a BSW to an MSW in Maine
3 Maine schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: University of Maine, University of New England and University of Southern Maine. Advanced standing is open to graduates of any CSWE BSW, so you can also move to another school.
How BSW-to-MSW advanced standing works · Find a same-school MSW route
Largest BSW Programs in Maine
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of Maine has Maine's largest program, followed by University of Southern Maine and University of Maine at Presque Isle. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for Maine Residents
Beyond Maine's own schools, 131 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Maine residents and arrange your field practicum in Maine.
| Lowest published per-credit rates, same for every state | Per credit |
|---|---|
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Bachillerato en Artes con Concentración en Trabajo Social (BATS)Bachillerato en Artes con Concentración en Trabajo Social (BATS) · Puerto Rico | $207 |
| University of the Cumberlands: Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW), OnlineBachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW), Online · Kentucky | $220 |
| Avila University: Bachelor of Social Work OnlineBachelor of Social Work Online · Missouri | $300 |
| Charter Oak State College: Bachelor of Science in Social WorkBachelor of Science in Social Work · Connecticut | $329 |
| Briar Cliff University: Bachelor of Social Work (online degree completion)Bachelor of Social Work (online degree completion) · Iowa | $340 |
| Capella University: Bachelor of Social WorkBachelor of Social Work · Minnesota | $350 |
Compare every option on the online BSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Pay for BSW Jobs in Maine
| Occupation | Maine median | U.S. median | Jobs in Maine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $63,290 | $59,550 | 2,000 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $47,710 | $45,930 | 4,580 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $71,140 | $66,270 | 160 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $76,160 | $80,390 | 1,620 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with a BSW.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in Maine?
5 schools in Maine run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 6 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in Maine?
Yes. Maine Board of Social Worker Licensure, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation issues the Licensed Social Worker, Conditional (LSX), which requires the none exam. It's a license for generalist practice; independent clinical practice needs an MSW, supervised experience and a clinical license.
Can Maine Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 1 Maine option is offered online, and 131 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Maine residents and place you in a field practicum in Maine. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Maine?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Maine public university with a CSWE BSW are at University of Maine at Presque Isle ($8,990), University of Southern Maine ($10,920) and University of Maine ($12,606). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 5 Maine schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Maine Board of Social Worker Licensure, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS: 2022-23 completions and 2023-24 tuition and fees
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025