Leading PhDs in Maine, Campus or Online
Get started on your advanced degree! This guide offers an overview of all of the PhD and doctoral programs in Maine. Join us to learn about top schools, popular programs, and what to expect from your PhD experience.
Maine has the fastest-growing economy in New England, and that makes it a great place to upgrade your credentials and seek new opportunities. Perhaps this means heading back to school to pursue a doctoral degree.
If a return to campus is on your mind and Maine is at the top of your list, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve looked at all of the PhD programs in Maine and put together this guide to help you plan your next move. We’ll explore typical program formats, dig into finances, look at various programs, and highlight standout schools. There are so many incredible in-person and online PhD programs in Maine, and we bet that one of them is right for you. Keep reading to find out!
Top-Rated PhD and Doctoral Programs in Maine
If you ask 30 people to select the best doctoral programs in Maine, you’ll get 30 different answers. And that makes sense; everyone has different goals, needs, and priorities. But we think there are a few factors we can all agree on: quality academics, reasonable tuition, and student support. All of the universities we highlight in this section stand out in these categories and are great options if you’re considering traditional or online PhD programs in Maine.
The University of Maine is a top research university and home to the largest graduate school in the state. This includes 23 doctoral programs in a range of disciplines, including natural sciences, liberal arts, computer sciences, and engineering. Although most of the programs involve at least some in-person learning, the school has the highest concentration of hybrid or online doctoral degrees in Maine.
Alongside an excellent academic reputation, U Maine bills itself as one of the most affordable Northeastern flagship universities. The school’s attractive price tag is enhanced by its many opportunities to earn scholarships, grants, assistantships, fellowships, and other funding. In fact, U Maine offers more than 1,000 funding opportunities to its graduate students each year.
However, the school’s affordability doesn’t mean that it’s skimping on student support. All graduate students have access to research assistance, tutoring, career coaching, and professional development opportunities.
At the University of Southern Maine (USM), aspiring PhDs benefit from dedicated faculty, small class sizes, and a tight-knit community. The graduate school at USM hosts nine doctoral programs in healthcare, law, public policy, and education. To make sure that they offer as much flexibility as possible, USM has online, hybrid, and low-residency program options. These make USM one of the most popular schools for online doctoral degrees in Maine.
To make advanced education available to as many students as possible, USM doesn’t require the GRE for applicants, and there’s no tuition rate hike for out-of-state students. The school also offers at least 150 fully funded assistantships each year. USM participates in the New England Regional Student Program, which can help reduce tuition costs.
If you’re considering a PhD in STEM, the PhD programs at Northeastern University should be at the top of your list. Students at the school’s Portland campus pursue one of eight programs, including computer engineering, environmental engineering, and network science. Many of these PhD programs in Maine are interdisciplinary, and some are mostly or entirely research-based.
Northeastern stands out particularly for its industry experiential PhD program. This option is designed for people who work in STEM and want to earn their PhD but don’t want to put their career on hold while they study. Instead, Northeastern coordinates with your employer to design a research project that benefits your company’s work and gives you a chance to earn and demonstrate a doctoral-level understanding of your field.
Types of PhD and Doctoral Programs Available in Maine
More than ever, traditional and online PhD programs in Maine recognize that options matter. Your learning needs may vary depending on your location, where you are in your career, your family obligations, or your field of study. To meet those needs, doctoral programs in Maine come in a number of formats. Let’s see what options might be right for you.
Full-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in Maine
In a full-time PhD program, you can expect to study like it’s your job. Plan to dedicate a full 40-hour workweek to your classwork and research. Although full-time programs are a big commitment, they allow you to immerse yourself in your topic and complete your degree as quickly as possible. If you’re considering attending a full-time doctoral program, make sure you have your funding dialed in (more on this in a minute) since managing a job alongside your academic obligations may be difficult.
Examples of full-time PhD programs in Maine include:
Part-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in Maine
If you’re hoping to earn your advanced degree without putting your career on hold, consider pursuing your PhD part-time. Although part-time doctoral programs can still be very intense, they’re designed with working professionals in mind. This often means that you’ll have more flexibility when it comes to managing your study schedule. Often, part-time programs operate on accelerated term schedules to help speed up your progress without becoming overwhelming. If you aren’t sure what time commitment is right for you, you may be able to enroll on a full- or part-time schedule on a semester-by-semester basis.
Examples of part-time PhD programs in Maine include:
- PhD in Public Policy at the University of Southern Maine
- Industry PhD at Northeastern University
Fully Funded PhD/Doctoral Programs in Maine
If you’re still figuring out how to pay for your tuition, consider looking into fully funded doctoral programs. Fully funded PhD students typically receive free tuition and a small stipend for a set number of years. In exchange, fully funded students work part-time as research or teaching assistants. Besides helping to pay the bills, these positions look great on your résumé when you reenter the job market after graduation. Most schools offer fully funded positions in every program, but these positions can be competitive depending on the school and field of study.
Examples of fully funded doctoral programs in Maine include:
No-GRE PhD/Doctoral Programs in Maine
Although the GRE was a staple in graduate school admissions, many schools are moving away from requiring GRE scores on their applications. This is great news for students who struggle with standardized testing or don’t want to sacrifice hundreds of dollars and countless hours for test prep. Instead, admissions committees at no-GRE programs focus more on your relevant experience, statement of purpose, and academic history when considering your application.
Examples of no-GRE doctoral programs in Maine include:
Accelerated PhD/Doctoral Programs in Maine
Stand-alone accelerated doctoral programs are still relatively uncommon. But, if you’re in a hurry they’re worth seeking out since you can complete these intensive PhDs in as little as one year. Although Maine is not home to any of these lightning-fast options, multiple schools offer accelerated pathways between undergraduate and doctoral programs. These fast-tracks are particularly popular in law programs and allow students to knock a year or more off their studies.
Examples of accelerated doctoral programs in Maine:
No-Dissertation PhD/Doctoral Programs in Maine
Although the process of writing a dissertation can be a valuable opportunity to conduct innovative research, dissertations aren’t always the best fit for everyone’s learning style or career goals. Because of this, many schools now offer no-dissertation options, particularly in professional programs. Instead of a dissertation, students might complete additional coursework, internships, or a capstone project to demonstrate mastery of their subject. If you’re planning to pursue a career in academia or research, completing a dissertation is an important step in your development process. However, if your goals lay elsewhere, a no-dissertation program may offer more applicable experiences and save you quite a bit of stress.
Examples of no-dissertation PhD programs in Maine:
Popular Fields to Earn Your PhD and Doctoral Degree in Maine
Education
Students who pursue an EdD or PhD in education typically want to advance their career beyond K-12 classroom teaching. Earning a doctoral degree in education prepares you for work in curriculum design, school administration, or post-secondary instruction. Because of this, doctoral programs in education often include coursework on leadership and management alongside content that focuses on teaching and learning.
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Physical Therapy
If you’re planning to become a physical therapist in Maine, earning your DPT is an essential step toward obtaining your state license. Typically, students who pursue their DPT degree have tested the waters and earned some experience working as assistants in physical therapy clinics. With that entry-level work under their belt, they’re ready to take the next step in their education. Alongside classroom work, most DPT programs have extensive clinical hours requirements that provide a chance to develop essential skills by working with real-world patients.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Psychology
No matter where you live, a doctoral degree is a requirement for becoming a licensed psychologist. Earning your PhD or PsyD demonstrates that you have the experience and background knowledge required to enter clinical practice. However, there are opportunities to provide mental health care with just a master’s degree, doctoral level psychologist positions often pay better and have more room for advancement.
Quality Example of an On-Campus Program
Quality Example of a Hybrid/Online Program
Computer Engineering
Earning a PhD in computer engineering demonstrates that you’re on the cutting edge of the field. These programs offer ample time to explore design and development at the highest levels. Typically, PhD holders in the computer engineering field go on to teach, research, or work in product development.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Nursing
Nurses who earn their DNP have the chance to specialize in advanced nursing practices such as family medicine, anesthesia, or midwifery. Because of these advanced skills, DNP nurses are in high demand, command excellent salaries, and have plenty of professional opportunities. Many working nurses opt to pursue their DNP online or part-time as part of their professional development requirements.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Quality Example of a Hybrid/Online Program
Start on Your Online Doctoral Journey in Maine
Although in-person learning is still the norm for PhD programs, many schools are introducing fully online, hybrid, and low-residency programs. These new fully or partially online offerings make doctoral programs more accessible to potential students who need more flexibility or those who don’t live near a graduate school campus.
Fully or mostly online programs are particularly common in the nursing field because many DNP students are already working full-time in healthcare and earning plenty of hands-on experience. Programs such as the online DNP at the University of Maine, Fort Kent, meet the needs of these students by offering flexible, fully remote coursework.
However, while fully online programs exist, low-residency and blended programs are more common. These programs allow students to complete a significant portion of their coursework online, but trips to campus are still required. In a blended program, such as the University of Maine’s literacy education PhD, students should plan on in-person labs, discussion groups, or practicums to supplement their online coursework. This means they must live close enough to campus to make this schedule feasible. Meanwhile, low-residency programs typically require infrequent in-person participation. For example, the University of Southern Maine Leadership Education PhD is almost entirely remote except for annual three-day intensive sessions at the school’s Portland campus.
Secure Funds: Financing Your Maine PhD Program
Earning your PhD or doctoral degree is a huge commitment; don’t add to your stress by taking on a ton of debt to pay your tuition. As discussed above, seeking a fully funded position is one of the most common ways that PhD students cover their tuition and living expenses during their studies. But this isn’t your only option because there are plenty of other financial aid opportunities out there.
As you build your budget, start by researching scholarships or fellowships that might be a good fit for you. These opportunities may be within your chosen school. For example, the University of New England has an extensive scholarship and grant program. But don’t stop there; seek out state funding or funding from professional organizations that offer scholarships to students in relevant fields.
Economics Outlook of Maine PhDs Graduates
Although increasing your paycheck might not be your only motivation for pursuing a doctoral degree, most people find the extra earnings potential that comes with the title “doctor” compelling. While your economic and career outlook will vary based on your field, we can safely say that PhD and professional degree holders earn significantly more than their counterparts with bachelor’s or master’s degrees. And let’s not forget, in fields such as psychiatry, physical therapy, and postsecondary education, a PhD is required to even get your foot in the door.
Below, we’ve pulled the latest earnings information for popular careers that require a doctorate or in which having your PhD considerably advances your career. Use this information to get a feel for the economic benefits that might come along with your doctoral degree.
| Job Title | Related Doctoral Degree(s) | Median Earnings | 90th Percentile Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropologist | PhD in Anthropology | $ 63,800 | $ 102,150 |
| Biochemist | PhD in Biochemistry | $ 107,460 | $ 175,790 |
| Computer Research Scientist | PhD in Computer Science | $ 145,080 | $ 233,110 |
| Economist | PhD in Economics | $ 115,730 | $ 216,900 |
| Environmental Scientist | PhD in Environmental Science | $ 78,980 | $ 133,660 |
| Geologist | PhD in Geology | $ 92,580 | $ 172,600 |
| Marine Biologist | PhD in Biology | $ 70,600 | $ 110,590 |
| Physical Therapist | Doctor of Physical Therapy | $ 99,710 | $ 130,870 |
| Professor | PhD | $ 84,380 | $ 182,710 |
| Psychologist | Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) /PhD in Psychology | $ 92,740 | $ 151,880 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023