The College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP) at the University of Southern Maine prepares the next generation of healthcare leaders through hands-on learning, expert faculty mentorship, and strong clinical partnerships across southern Maine and northern New England. Whether you’re pursuing a career in nursing, occupational therapy, athletic training, or exercise and health sciences, you’ll graduate with the knowledge, confidence, and real-world experience to make an immediate impact.
With campuses in Portland, Gorham, and online, students learn in advanced simulation environments, work alongside experienced practitioners, and complete immersive clinical experiences throughout Maine’s largest healthcare networks. Our nationally recognized and accredited programs, innovative learning facilities, and personalized approach to support student success ensure you are prepared for licensure, career success, and the evolving needs of today’s healthcare workforce.
Departments in the College of Nursing and Health Professions
With programs spanning undergraduate majors, minors, micro-credentials, and certificates, to accelerated graduate pathways and doctoral programs, the College of Nursing and Health Professions offers flexible options at every stage of your educational journey. Agile pathways can help qualified students transition from undergraduate to graduate study, saving time and money, while accelerated programs provide flexibility for students balancing advanced study with work and other commitments.
Nursing
USM prepares more newly licensed registered nurses than any other university in Maine, offering bachelor’s, master’s, certificates, micro-credentials, and doctoral pathways designed to meet students at every stage of their career. Flexible options include in-person and online programs, as well as accelerated pathways that can help students advance their nursing education in less time.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Whether you’re beginning your journey or advancing your career, USM offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral pathways in occupational therapy. Gain the knowledge, clinical experience, and professional preparation to help people achieve meaningful outcomes and participate fully in everyday life across the lifespan.
Exercise, Health, and Sport Sciences (EHSS)
Turn your passion for health, movement, and performance into a career through USM’s programs in athletic training, exercise science, and health sciences. Explore bachelor’s and master’s pathways that combine research, hands-on learning, and professional practice to prepare you for careers across health, wellness, and human performance.
Why choose USM for nursing and health professions?
- Learn in the heart of where healthcare happens: Complete clinicals, fieldwork, and internships across Maine and northern New England, with access to Maine’s largest healthcare system and a diverse network of clinical partners.
- A personalized education with public university value: Benefit from small classes, close faculty relationships, and exceptional hands-on opportunities at an affordable public university.
- Train in advanced simulation environments: Build confidence in state-of-the-art simulation spaces that mirror real clinical settings on Portland and Gorham campuses, such as the Boyne Family Advanced Simulation and Interprofessional Education Center, the Sensory Lab, Athletic Training Lab, and more!
- Explore anatomy in 3D: Learn with an Anatomage Table, a life-sized digital anatomy platform that brings human anatomy to life through interactive visualization and virtual dissection.
- Learn from practicing experts: Study with faculty who are experienced clinicians, researchers, and leaders committed to mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals and with strong local networks throughout southern Maine.
- Nationally accredited programs: Exercise Science, one of only two programs in Maine accredited by CAAHEP through CoAES; Athletic Training, accredited by CAATE; and Occupational Therapy, which offers professional programs accredited by ACOTE. Nursing programs are accredited by CCNE and endorsed by the prestigious INACSL Healthcare Simulation Standards.
- Graduate career-ready to a high-demand workforce: Through immersive clinical experiences, simulation-based education, and faculty mentorship, you’ll develop the skills employers seek and graduate prepared for professional practice. USM students across health professions programs achieve strong outcomes, including nursing graduates who consistently earn outstanding first-time NCLEX-RN® pass rates.
- Interprofessional learning: Collaborate with students across health disciplines, as well as other departments across USM, on projects and simulations to build the teamwork and communication skills essential to today’s healthcare environments.
Pack Chat
We have an opportunity to modernize our curriculum to meet the evolving demands of healthcare and increase our research partnerships. Most importantly, I want our graduates to be ready to make an immediate impact in Maine’s hospitals, clinics, and communities.
