Female student participating in a classroom discussion

A collaboration between the University of Maine at Farmington and the University of Southern Maine, the Social Work 3+2 program provides you with an accelerated pathway to a career in the field of Social Work.


Interested in a career in Social Work? Want to fast-track your college degree(s) with a focused program of study? Have the motivation, compassion and maturity to jump-start your career path in counseling? If so, the University of Maine at Farmington Social Work 3+2 program may be perfect for you.

In this program, you earn Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) followed by a Master of Social Work at the University of Southern Maine (USM) — all in five years instead of six.

  • 3 yrs – B.A. in Psychology at the University of Maine at Farmington
  • 2 yrs – M.S.W at the University of Southern Maine

This allows you to graduate ahead of time while preparing you for a professional career where you can help meet Maine’s growing mental health needs.

Social Work is a field committed to social justice and social change. Social Workers help individuals, families, and groups with mental health challenges, such as depression and PTSD; life transitions, such as divorce; drug and alcohol abuse; and other difficult life situations.


What does the accelerated pathway to a Master’s Degree in Social Work involve?

At the University of Maine at Farmington

You will work to meet all requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Farmington in three years, gaining practical skills through counseling courses, an interactive, discussion-based seminar each semester, mentorship, experience in the field and collaboration with peers.

As part of your Psychology degree at Farmington, you will fulfill the requirements for the Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician Community (MHRT/C) certification, allowing you to gain practical work experience while pursuing you Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Southern Maine.

In you third year at UMF, a streamlined grad school application process will pave the way to help you gain early acceptance to the University of Southern Maine’s Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program.*

At the University of Southern Maine

At the University of Southern Maine you will pursue an advanced social work curriculum, preparing to become a licensed social worker. You may also apply to other graduate programs, with support from your UMF faculty mentors.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

* Note: Participation in this 3 + 2 Program does not guarantee admission to the M.S.W. program at USM. Also, you are not required to pursue graduate school at USM.


FAQ

  • Completion of an undergrad degree in three years and the opportunity to enter the workforce one year earlier, saving you money and time
  • A program of study focused on counseling where you begin to develop the professional skills needed to be an effective social worker
  • Close collaboration and mentoring from Farmington faculty and upper-level UMF students
  • Participation in an interactive seminar — allowing you to develop counseling and leadership skills while preparing you for similar courses in graduate school
  • You’ll work closely with fellow students and faculty mentors
  • Students will be selected based on their potential for completing an accelerated degree and continuing on to a Master’s degree program in Social Work
  • Specifically, applicants will be chosen based on their academic strengths, previous experience relevant to counseling and their interest in the 3 + 2 program

You can still benefit from all aspects of the 3 + 2 program. By majoring in Psychology at Farmington, you will have the opportunities in Counseling course offerings, the MHRT/C courses sequence, mentoring from UMF faculty to help prepare for graduate school and a career in counseling, and a heavier course load to accelerate your degree if you choose.


Got questions? Ask a professor in this program

Contact Us

Office of Admissions
University of Maine at Farmington
246 Main Street
Farmington, Maine USA 04938-1994
tel  207-778-7050
fax  207-778-8182
TYY (via Maine Relay Service) dial 711
umfadmit@maine.edu