Psychology
Encompassing theory, experimentation, and real-world application, this discipline encourages students to understand behavior from multiple perspectives and engage with meaningful research opportunities.
Contact
Williams Hall, Room 301
Orono, ME 04469
P
207.581.2030
About
The University of Maine’s Department of Psychology is dedicated to advancing the scientific study of human thought, behavior, and experience. Through innovative teaching, research, and mentorship, the department fosters critical inquiry, intellectual growth, and practical application of psychological science. Offering both undergraduate and graduate programs, the department prepares students to think deeply, engage meaningfully, and apply their knowledge in diverse professional and academic settings.
Undergraduate Studies
The University of Maine’s psychology major is designed to foster a scientific understanding of behavior by exploring the wide range of factors that shape it — from molecules to the brain as a whole, from sensory input to reasoning, and from genetics to social and cultural influences. Students explore how behavior develops from infancy to old age and what it means for a behavior to be considered pathological.
Although psychology is broad in scope, UMaine’s psychology major is focused on developing rigorous scientific reasoning skills (methodological, statistical and logical argument), forming an exceptional foundation for critical thinking across disciplines. To further foster critical thinking and communication skills, the psychology major culminates in a capstone experience in which students apply, integrate and extend the base of knowledge they acquired to a specific topic of interest.
Graduate Studies
The Department of Psychology offers graduate study leading to the M.A. degree in Psychological Sciences (including social, cognitive, and biological psychology) and to the Ph.D. degree in Psychological Sciences and Clinical Psychology. We believe that a quality graduate education involves close working relationships between faculty and individual students. A high faculty-to-student ratio and small class size characterize our graduate programs. In addition, each student works with at least one faculty member as a means of gaining valuable teaching, research, and professional experience. There are many opportunities for individualized study and experience in research directed readings and supervised teaching. A committee, representing the student’s interests, assists in planning an appropriate graduate program for each student.
Psychological Services Center
The Psychological Services Center (PSC) is an outpatient mental health clinic located at the University of Maine’s Orono campus. We provide research-supported, culturally responsive psychotherapy and psychological assessment addressing a wide range of concerns for children, adolescents, and adults. Services are available both in-person and via telehealth for individuals across the state of Maine.
As the primary training site for an American Psychological Association-accredited doctoral training program in clinical psychology, our services are delivered by graduate student clinicians under the supervision of licensed clinical psychologists.
Our sliding fee scale means that the session fee is often less than or equal to an insurance copay. Intake sessions are $15 for everyone. Fees for therapy sessions are determined by household income and range from $15 to $45 per session. There are variable flat fees for assessments. Our services are not covered by insurance.
