Wherever you are, earning your master’s degree can be a great way to open the door to new and advanced opportunities in your current career, or even start a new career altogether. And if you live in the New England area (or beyond), there may be no more affordable and convenient way of earning that degree than through one of the many online master’s programs in Maine.
This guide offers a comprehensive look at the current options for online master’s study in the Pine Tree State, starting with our picks for the top colleges offering online master’s degrees. We follow that with additional information and advice to help you in identifying the specific degree program that best meets your academic needs and career goals.
You’ll also find lots of useful information on some of the most popular careers in Maine for master’s degree holders. So, if you’re ready to make the move up the ladder in your current profession or start a whole new career, keep reading to discover how you can do so by earning your degree from one of the best online master’s programs in Maine for 2024.
Today’s Best Online Master’s Programs in Maine
To get you going on your degree search, we’ve spotlighted below three colleges currently offering some of the best lineups of online master’s programs in Maine today. In making our school selections, we considered a number of program factors valued the most by students, including accreditation, academic quality, affordability, study flexibility and convenience, and the availability of student support services.
If you’re not familiar with postsecondary online learning, then you’ll be happy to learn that there are many combinations of curriculum and course content formats used by schools to deliver their online programs. For example, some programs are offered 100% online with no campus visits required, and others are partially-online requiring in-person campus residencies or internships.
Additionally, classes may be delivered synchronously (at scheduled times) or asynchronously (pre-recorded). Online master’s degrees in ME may use any of these formats, so it’s critical that you have a clear understanding of which formats each program uses before you enroll.
Located just minutes away from Bangor in the town of Orono, the University of Maine is the flagship institution of the eight-campus University of Maine System. If you’re looking for a quality, prestigious online master’s programs, the University of Maine is a great place to start with 19 online master’s degrees available.
Disciplines include business, engineering, informatics and information systems, and nursing, among others. Of note are the six education master’s programs covering areas like educational leadership, instructional technology, special education, and more.
Tuition rates vary from $537 to $732 per credit depending on the specific program. These rates place the University of Maine among the most affordable of all flagship universities in the New England region. Additionally, online master’s students at UM may be eligible for assistantships through their specific programs and across the university.
Along with the eight public campuses in the UM System, Maine is home to a surprising number of private colleges and universities, several of which offer their own selection of excellent online master’s degree programs. Among the most respected is the University of New England, which currently offers a dozen online master’s degree options in the fields of education, emergency management, healthcare administration, public health, and social work.
Almost all UNE online master’s programs are delivered 100% online with no required campus visits. Most programs feature asynchronous classes, meaning students can log on and view class sessions at anytime. Examples of asynchronous programs include the Master of Social Work (MSW) and three Master of Science in Education (MSEd) programs. Tuition rates vary by program with most at $800 per credit. Exceptions include the MSEd in Educational Leadership ($640/credit) and the MSW programs ($1,050/credit). Students can explore a number of options for financing their educations, including scholarships, grants, loans, and VA benefits.
The University of Southern Maine is another public institution in the University of Maine System offering an impressive array of quality, affordable online master’s degree programs. Some of these majors are not available anywhere else in the state. In addition to disciplines like nursing, education, and public health, USM’s online programs include an MS in Cybersecurity, an MS in Educational Psychology, and a Master of Policy, Planning, and Management (MPPM).
Most of USM’s online master’s programs are available 100% online, and a small number of those also offer the option to combine online and on-campus classes. USM offers six online master’s programs in accelerated formats allowing students to complete their degrees in less time. Examples include the MS programs in Nursing Education and Nursing Administration and Leadership, which can be completed in as few as 12 months.
Exceptional affordability is another notable feature of USM’s online master’s programs, with most tuition rates for in-state students (and, in some cases, out-of-state students) in the mid- to upper-$400’s.
Exploring Different Online Master’s Programs in ME
You’ve likely figured out by now that online master’s degrees in ME come in all different shapes and sizes. We touched earlier on the various modalities used to deliver courses, but there are a number of curriculum formats, as well. To help you sort through those, here are descriptions of four common online program types, along with current examples of each.
Full-time Online Master’s Programs in Maine
Students able to place their careers on hold while pursuing their graduate studies will find there are several online master’s degrees in ME that feature full-time formats. Examples of programs that can be completed full-time include the Master of Emergency Management at the University of New England and the MS in Nursing at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. Completion times vary from program to program, but most fall in the two- to three-year range.
Part-time Online Master’s Programs in Maine
Part-time study is very common in online master’s programs, especially for working professionals who want to pursue a degree while continuing their full-time jobs. Students in part-time master’s programs usually take six credits or fewer each semester.
Average lengths for part-time master’s programs are from three to four years, but some programs can be completed in as few as two. Examples of online master’s degrees in ME that can be completed part-time include the Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Husson University and the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner MSN at the University of Maine Fort Kent.
No-GRE Online Master’s Programs in Maine
Graduate entrance exams, like the GRE and GMAT, used to be required for grad school admission. These days, more and more colleges are doing away with mandatory entrance exams in favor of other methods for evaluating potential students. Maine is just one of many states offering no-GRE online master’s degree programs, like the Maine Maritime Academy’s MS in International Logistics Management and Thomas College’s MS in Criminology.
Accelerated Online Master’s Programs in Maine
“Accelerated” can refer to two types of master’s programs in Maine. The first type is a program that combines a four-year bachelor’s degree with a master’s degree that can be completed with an additional one year of full-time study. An example is the 4+1 Accelerated MEd in Special Education at the University of Maine.
The second type refers to master’s programs that are typically completed in less than two years. The Master of Science in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern Maine is an example of this type. Be sure to visit OMD’s guides to the Fastest Online Master’s Degrees and1-Year Online Master’s Degree Programs for more on how you can save time in earning your online master’s.
In-demand Master’s Degrees for Maine Students
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
The MBA is among the most popular master’s degrees, providing students with valuable leadership skills and a solid foundation in advanced business principles. Earning an online MBA degree can lead to greater and more lucrative job opportunities in all areas of the business world. There are several online MBA programs available in Maine, including the two linked below. And, like these, most programs offer several concentration options in subjects like business analytics, finance, healthcare management, organizational management, and more.
Quality Example of an Online Program
MS in Cybersecurity
There is growing popularity in online master’s programs in computer science and other closely related fields like cybersecurity. Cybersecurity master’s programs provide a range of in-demand skills that enable students to seek and destroy data breaches and cyberattacks, as well as prepare for and prevent breaches and attacks before they occur. Cybersecurity graduates are in high demand in all sectors of the digital world, including private business, military defense, and government at all levels, both domestically and internationally.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
MS in Education (MSEd) – Leadership
Online master’s degree program in education are popular as they allow working professionals to pursue a degree while maintaining their current teaching jobs. We’ve linked below two Maine-based online master’s programs in educational leadership, but you’ll find online master’s degrees in ME in a number of specializations, including special education, instructional technology, and curriculum and assessment.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
Master of Health Administration (MHA) – Management
Along with business and education, healthcare is one of the three professional fields best represented by online master’s programs in Maine. Healthcare administration and management are among the most popular subjects for health services master’s degrees. Maine online students can choose between a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Management. Both degrees prepare graduates to fill leadership positions at hospitals and in other health services settings.
The major difference between the two degrees is scope of expertise. The MHA encompasses coursework covering all aspects of the field, including human resource management and improvement of health services delivery. The healthcare management MBA, in contrast, offers a more business-focused approach with greater emphasis on health services budgeting, financing, and marketing.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
Master of Nursing (MSN) – Family Nurse Practitioner
You might be surprised to discover that online master’s degrees in nursing are quite common. The key here is that online nursing master’s programs combine online didactic coursework with in-person clinical rotations in the student’s local area. The two programs linked below are Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) options.
The FNP specialization prepares graduates for advanced nursing practice with individuals and families across all genders, lifespans, and diseases. Specialized nursing tracks are available in adult gerontology and psychiatric mental health.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
What Is the Average Tuition for an Online Master’s in ME?
Understanding the financial commitment for your master’s education can be a bit complicated, given the various tuition rates and additional fees. It’s best to start with tuition and fees, then research financial aid options. We’ve listed the current cost per credit and estimated tuition for three online master’s degrees in ME below.
These figures, along with the ones included in the school spotlights above, will give you a good idea of the wide range of program price tags for online master’s programs in the state. Bear in mind that these are tuition figures only and do not include additional school fees or the costs of books, supplies, travel expenses or in-person activities that can be substantial.
| School/Program | No. of Credits | Resident Cost/Credit | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
48 | $682 | $32,736 | |
32 | $1,791 | $57,312 | |
36 | $652.33 | $23,484 |
Maine Financial Aid Options
Don’t let those large tuition figures scare you. It’s now time to factor in financial aid. The good news is that qualifying students in online master’s programs in Maine have access to a full range of financial aid resources, including student loans (especially those available from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid), scholarships and grants, assistantships and fellowships, the GI Bill, employer tuition assistance, work-study programs, and others.
One of the best ways to begin your college funding search is with the financial aid websites for the Maine colleges and universities you’re considering. Another valuable resource is the state government’s Financing Education website.
Online Master’s Programs Leading to Lucrative Careers in Maine
We’ve highlighted below five careers available to graduates of online master’s programs in Maine. Included are salary and job growth figures to give you a general idea of what the current job market looks like for master’s graduates in the state. What you actually earn in your job will depend on several factors, including your specific professional field.
For example, according to Job Outlook to 2030 data from Maine’s Department of Labor, the highest-wage, in-demand jobs for master’s degree holders in the state are nurse practitioners; educational, guidance, school, and vocational counselors; mental health and substance abuse social workers; elementary and secondary school education administrators; and librarians and media collections specialists.
Other factors influencing salaries include your employer and job title, geographic location, and level of professional experience.
Education Administrator, Postsecondary
Postsecondary education administrators oversee the academic and logistical activities at colleges and universities. Job responsibilities include the hiring and job performance evaluation of faculty and staff, supervising the creation and development of degrees (undergraduate, graduate, majors, minors, etc.) and other academic programs, finding funding and managing budgets, overseeing campus resources, and more.
| Maine Median Salary | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $97,620 | 4% | Master of Education (MEd) |
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists are public health professionals engaged in the investigation of the causes and spread of sickness and disease in public settings. They are employed by local, state, and federal public health agencies, as well as at hospitals, colleges and universities, and practically anywhere else involved in the prevention, detection, and elimination of diseases and related health challenges. With an estimated long-term job growth rate of 27%, epidemiologists will find themselves in high demand both in Maine and throughout the U.S. for some time to come.
| Maine Median Salary | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $78,520 | 27% | Master of Public Health (MPH) |
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022
Healthcare Social Worker
Healthcare social workers (aka medical social workers) help patients and their loved one’s cope with acute, chronic, and terminal illness and disease. Job duties may include reviewing admissions information for special needs concerns, assisting with patient discharges and coordinating post-stay care, counseling patients and families on available emotional and financial resources, and more. Employment settings include hospitals, physician’s offices, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and hospice care facilities, and home health agencies.
| Maine Median Salary | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $60,430 | 10% | Master of Social Work (MSW) |
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022
Nurse Practitioner
If you’re looking for a career with both great pay and huge growth potential, nurse practitioner is hard to beat. Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses providing primary and specialized care to patients and their families. Popular areas of specialization for nurse practitioners include adult-gerontology, family nurse practice, neonatal, pediatrics, psychiatry/mental health, and women’s health.
| Maine Median Salary | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $118,300 | 45% | MS in Nursing (MSN) |
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022
Statistician
Statisticians are professionals who apply statistical models and methods to the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data to identify and resolve real-world problems. They’re typically employed in research and academic settings, as well as with businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Statisticians in Maine command healthy salaries and are expected to remain in high demand in the state and throughout the nation.
| Maine Median Salary | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $81,260 | 32% | MS in Data Science |
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022