51Æ·²è

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) offers preparation for the undergraduate degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. CAS also offers Master of Science degrees in biological science, environmental science, and marine science. CAS programs of study are on the Biddeford Campus.

College of Arts and Sciences Mission

The College of Arts and Sciences at the 51Æ·²è is a coeducational college committed to academic excellence. Through study and research in the arts and sciences, the faculty of the College challenges students to set and reach for higher intellectual and professional goals and to develop powers of critical assessment, analysis, expression, aesthetic sensibility, and independent thought. The faculty and administration of the College seek to help students find and fulfill their unique potential, and also endeavor to help students participate in shaping the culturally diverse and interdependent world in which they live. Curricular offerings give students the tools to face life challenges by enhancing their awareness of environmental, social, and global issues, and by fostering values that sustain healthy communities. Students are urged to pursue these objectives in their coursework, through attendance of cultural events, participation in campus organizations, activities, and services to others.

Schools and Areas of Study

• School of Arts and Humanities
• School of Biological Sciences
• School of Computer Science and Data Analytics
• School of Education
• School of Marine and Environmental Programs
• School of Molecular and Physical Sciences
• School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

College of Business

The mission of the College of Business is to deliver exceptional education through a dedicated, experienced faculty and a dynamic curriculum designed to equip students with the skills necessary to excel in a rapidly evolving global environment. Our objectives are:

• To cultivate ethical and socially responsible leaders for business and non-profit sectors, ready to make a positive impact on society.
• To enhance students' problem-solving capabilities through rigorous analysis and innovative thinking.
• To develop students' communication skills, enabling them to articulate ideas effectively and persuasively across diverse platforms and audiences.
• To support students in achieving their personal and professional aspirations.
• To thoroughly prepare students for advanced studies, ensuring a seamless transition to graduate education.

Core Values

The College of Business is guided by the following values:

Student-Centric Education

We are committed to delivering a curriculum that prioritizes student success, emphasizing discipline-specific knowledge, professional competencies, and essential life skills, including critical thinking, effective communication, and ethical conduct.

Diversity and Inclusion 

We champion a culture of diversity, inclusion, and connection, built on the foundations of ethical behavior, integrity, and mutual respect.

Relentless Inquiry: We promote intellectual curiosity and advocate for an open-minded approach that benefits society and upholds academic freedom, even when it challenges conventional viewpoints.

Ubiquitous Learning 

We recognize that learning opportunities are omnipresent. Our curriculum equips students with the skills and mindset to continuously learn and adapt, turning the world into an everlasting classroom.

Progressive Change

We encourage a learning environment where creativity and responsible risk-taking are leveraged as tools for innovation and success.

Environmental Stewardship: We are dedicated to fostering an understanding and appreciation of the natural world, encouraging sustainable practices and stewardship of our planet.

Collaborative Governance 

We believe in a governance model that is equitable, transparent, and inclusive, valuing both professional contributions and personal well-being.

Innovation in Education

We value the use of innovative teaching methods and collaborative environments that allow students to explore learning through interdisciplinary, integrative, and experiential approaches.

Westbrook College of Health Professions

The Westbrook College of Health Professions (WCHP) is a large, complex college of fourteen (14) distinct programs ranging from baccalaureate to doctoral. Majors at the undergraduate level include Applied Exercise Science (AES), Dental Hygiene, Occupational Studies (OS), Nursing, Nutrition, Public Health, and Social Work (BSW). A B.S. in Pharmacy is also offered; Master's degrees in Athletic Training, Physician Assistant, Occupational Therapy, and Social Work (MSW). The college offers professional doctoral degrees in Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Nurse Anesthesia, Pharmacy (PharmD), and Physical Therapy (DPT).

Undergraduate education in WCHP occurs on the residential Biddeford campus. The exceptions are the dental hygiene and nursing majors, where students spend the first two (2) years on the Biddeford campus followed by the junior and senior years in Portland. The athletic training program is fully delivered on the Biddeford campus. All remaining graduate programs of study are located on the Portland campus.

Westbrook College of Health Professions Mission

The Westbrook College of Health Professions educates a dynamic, collaborative workforce responsive to the evolving needs of society, thus advancing the health and well-being of all people.

Departments and Areas of Study

• Department of Exercise and Sport Performance
  • Applied Exercise Science
  • Athletic Training
• Department of Dental Hygiene
• Department of Health Promotion Studies
  • Social Work
  • Occupational Studies
  • Public Health
  • Nutrition
• Department of Occupational Therapy
• Department of Physician Assistant
• Department of Physical Therapy
• School of Nurse Anesthesia
• School of Nursing
• School of Pharmacy

College of Osteopathic Medicine

The 51Æ·²è College of Osteopathic Medicine (51Æ·²èCOM) grants the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (D.O.) and holds the distinction of being Maine's only medical school.

Guided by the tenets of Osteopathic Medicine, we prepare students to become skilled, caring, and successful osteopathic physicians. Our integrated curriculum provides varied learning experiences to help students develop the knowledge and clinical skills necessary to become competent physicians. Along with our affiliated clinical training sites, 51Æ·²èCOM prepares students who consistently score at the top in national licensing exams. 51Æ·²èCOM has been recognized in the top ten of all US medical schools for graduates obtaining the residency of their choice. While two-thirds (2/3) of graduates practice in primary care, the remainder choose careers in specialty and subspecialty medicine. Our graduates are leaders in health care at the local, state, and national levels throughout the US, and in all branches of military service. Over 70% of 51Æ·²èCOM graduates practice in underserved areas, caring for our most vulnerable populations.

At 51Æ·²èCOM, we recognize and support the role of research in all educational, clinical, and biomedical science activities and provide fellowship opportunities to encourage student participation in research. Both undergraduate and graduate/medical students work with faculty, professional staff, and peers to conduct exciting and innovative work in a number of areas, including cancer and metabolic disease, immunology and infectious disease, anatomy and interventional pain management, medical education, and through our internationally renowned neuroscience and pain research.

The College of Osteopathic Medicine has taken a leading role in facilitating our students’ involvement with Interprofessional Education (IPE) and Practice. We are proud to share educational experiences with programs in dental medicine, pharmacy, nursing, physician assistant, occupational and physical therapy, and social work. COM shares many collaborative enterprises with our health profession colleagues including rural emersion experiences, scholars programs, research opportunities, and shared clinical training assignments.

The 51Æ·²èCOM Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) maintains dual accreditation with the American Osteopathic Association and the Maine Medical Association; authorizing 51Æ·²èCOM's sponsorship of collaborative CME activities for osteopathic (D.O.) and allopathic (M.D.) physicians. 51Æ·²èCOM is one of a handful of providers in the country that holds this distinction.

College of Osteopathic Medicine Mission

The 51Æ·²è College of Osteopathic Medicine fosters healthcare leaders across the continuum in undergraduate, predoctoral, graduate, and continuing medical education. 51Æ·²èCOM advances exceptional osteopathic health care locally and globally through practice, research, scholarship, education, and community health.

Departments and Areas of Study

• Department of Primary Care:
  • Division of Family Medicine
  • Division of Geriatrics
  • Division of Internal Medicine
  • Division of Psychiatry
  • Division of Pediatrics
  • Mature Care Clinical Services
  • Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition
• Department of Specialty Care Medicine
• Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
• Department of Biomedical Sciences

51Æ·²èOnline | College of Professional Studies 

Mission

The mission of the 51Æ·²è College of Professional Studies is to support student-centered lifelong learning opportunities through innovative, accessible, and relevant programming.  

Vision

The 51Æ·²è College of Professional Studies:

• Commits to excellence in education in a diverse and inclusive global classroom environment by supporting our student population with high-quality, accessible, and learner-centered course design
• Provides student and alumni opportunities to promote career development and advancement
• Develops leaders that meaningfully impact people, communities, and our planet
• Cultivate and support diversity by promoting professionalism, ethical behavior, cultural humility, communication and leadership 
• Meets the needs of industry stakeholders by providing career-ready students while adapting to the needs of the changing workforce

Values

CPS Values

• Critical analysis of and contribution to the scholarship across the disciplines represented by CPS programs.
• Exploration and synthesis of theory and the utilization of practice-focused research and data.
• Developing habits of the mind oriented to ethical and evidence-based decision making.
• Effective and culturally aware communication with diverse industry stakeholders and professional colleagues.
• Development of leaders who actively contribute to their field in service of the greater good.
• Accessibility to high-quality educational experiences for a diverse student body supported by dedicated faculty, instructional designers, and student support specialists.

Academic Core Values

Critical and Innovative Thinking

Graduates of the College of Professional Studies (51Æ·²èOnline) programs are capable of critical analysis of the scholarship in their discipline. Graduates can synthesize and interpret theory and apply it to their field of practice.

Oral and/or Written Communication

Graduates of 51Æ·²èOnline programs are able to effectively and accurately communicate with industry stakeholders, professional colleagues, and academic peers. Their work exhibits proper mechanics and grammar, along with accurate style and citation relevant to their discipline. Graduates are able to offer both oral and written products to meet the needs of the intended audience

Ethical Reasoning and Practice

Graduates of 51Æ·²èOnline programs have a sound understanding of ethics in their area of expertise. With an understanding of the pertinent regulations and guidelines that protect the communities or industries that they serve, graduates are able to enter into their field of practice with the ability to make ethical decisions and to engage in culturally sensitive professional behavior.

Application of Scholarship and Research

Graduates of 51Æ·²èOnline programs are critical consumers of research and evidence. Graduates are adept at analyzing and translating the findings of primary sources, including literature, data, and research. Graduates are able to synthesize current literature and propose novel research in their field of study. Graduates understand the importance of evidence-based decision-making and utilize data to support their professional practice.

*Field-based learning, practicum, capstone, and ePortfolio demonstrate mastery of all core academic values*

Departments and Areas of Study

• Applied Nutrition (online master's degree and RD Track, and doctoral degrees)
• Biomedical Sciences (online master’s degree)
• Clinical Nutrition (online doctoral degree)
• Education (online certificates, master's, and doctoral degrees)
• Healthcare Administration (online master's degree and graduate certificates)
• Health Informatics (online certificate)
• Science Pre-Requisites for the Health Professions Courses (online science, math, and humanities courses)
• Public Health (online certificate and master's degree)
• Social Work (online master's degree)
• Emergency Management (online master’s degree)
• Post Baccalaureate Pre-Health (online certificate of completion)

College of Dental Medicine

The College of Dental Medicine is located on the Portland Campus and grants the Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree. The mission of the 51Æ·²èCollege of Dental Medicine is to improve the health of Northern New England as well as rural and underserved areas while shaping the future of dentistry through excellence in education, discovery, and service.

The College seeks to matriculate compassionate, self-motivated students who demonstrate a commitment to patient-centered care, social responsibility, and professionalism. Students in the program are treated as members of the profession and supported in a learner-centered environment grounded in trust, collegiality, and high ethical standards. They benefit from a comprehensive, integrated education in the basic and behavioral sciences, and they understand and appreciate the many connections between oral health and overall health. Our students enjoy extensive practical experience, from providing care to a simulated patient in their first year to providing patient-centered care in group practice teams in our Oral Health Center during their second, third, and fourth years. In addition, fourth-year students provide care to diverse patient populations at community-based clinics across Northern New England and beyond.

Throughout our curriculum, we utilize learning methods that support the development of communication and critical thinking skills. Our students learn how to access and evaluate information, including the very latest scientific research, as well as how to use that information to provide evidence-based care to their patients. Interested students are also provided opportunities to conduct oral health research under the guidance of faculty mentors. What’s more, our program educates students on the business side of dentistry, including practice management concepts and leadership skills, and we emphasize the importance of self-assessment and lifelong learning to personal and professional growth.

Public health is an essential component of our curriculum, and our students frequently discuss issues related to access to care and health policy. Throughout the four-year program, DMD students participate in service-learning experiences aimed at preventing oral diseases, specifically targeting school children, individuals with developmental and physical challenges, and older adults. These experiences are designed to prepare new graduates with the skills needed to address access to dental care for society’s most vulnerable and underserved populations. The College also provides opportunities for dental students to learn and work with students of other health professions at UNE. Through these interactions, our students grow to appreciate the value of interprofessional communication and collaboration in delivering high-quality, comprehensive care to their patients.

Ultimately, our graduates will be ethical, caring, competent oral healthcare providers who will improve the oral health, overall health, and quality of life of people in their communities.