Welcome to the Westbrook College of Health Professions

Preparing students to be health care leaders

The University of New England's Westbrook College of Health Professions prepares students to be leaders in their health care fields.

UNE is one of a handful of private universities with a comprehensive health education mission including medicine, pharmacy, dental medicine, nursing and an array of allied health professions. The Westbrook College of Health Professions encompasses Applied Exercise ScienceAthletic TrainingDental HygieneNursingNurse AnesthesiaNutrition, Occupational StudiesOccupational Therapy, PharmacyPhysical TherapyPhysician AssistantPublic Health, and Social Work.

Guided by faculty on the cutting edge of their disciplines, our students participate in clinical simulations, service learning activities, clinical rotations and other experiences that enable them to transition smoothly into the workforce upon graduation. 

Our interprofessional education initiatives prepare future health care professionals to practice comprehensive and collaborative team-based care. Students from across our different health professions programs work beside one another as they treat patients, participate in simulations and conduct research. As a result, each student comes to better appreciate the roles played by the other members of the health care team. 

Our Portland Campus for the Health Sciences is just minutes from Maine's leading hospitals and clinics, providing rich opportunities for students to carry the knowledge they gain on campus into the field. People from across Northern New England travel to Portland for medical services, and often their needs are met by UNE students.

Photo of U N E student Anne Carrigg

Anne Carrigg ’24

Nursing (B.S.N.)

Why UNE

I chose to come to UNE because I could see myself making connections with faculty and peers. I knew I could get the support I needed and could ask a lot of questions. No one gets lost in the crowd here. Nursing school can be challenging, so I knew while searching for colleges that it would be very important that I found a place where my professors would know my name and would want to see me succeed.

And, of course, you can’t beat the location of the two campuses. I mean, [the campuses] are stunning. I really like how the first two-years of the [nursing] program are on the Biddeford campus. Everything you need as an undergraduate is right there – the dining hall and central buildings – and tons of space for recreation along the coast. Then, [the final two years] of the program take place on the Portland campus, where you study with other [health professions and] graduate students. You kind of get the best of both as a nursing student.

The Portland campus is also so close to Maine Med, which I believe is the largest medical facility in ME, NH, and VT. Having all the resources and connections there is great.

Exceptional Teaching and Learning

[UNE Nursing] faculty have so much experience as practicing nurses and teaching professors. The faculty really sets you up well and supports you throughout your nursing education. I have gained a great basis of knowledge through my classes.

As nursing students [at UNE], we are able to learn hands-on through our simulation and skills labs. This practice is beneficial before heading into clinicals in the hospital, where we have to care for real people.

I am a very hands-on learner and need to see things to understand it. So, being able to do dissections of the heart and kidneys – that really helps me visualize what we are going over in lecture. Our skills and simulation labs on the Portland campus have helped me become more confident when having to think on my feet in the hospital.

Interprofessional Learning

Outside of our didactic and lab coursework, there is a large emphasis on interprofessional and clinical learning [within the Nursing program]. During my last semester, we had a simulation activity with the Pharmacy students. It was about a situation where an outbreak happened, and everyone had to get the medication for it. We got to work closely with the Pharmacy students to figure out what our roles would be.

The Portland campus is also so close to Maine Med, which I believe is the largest medical facility in ME, NH, and VT. Having all the resources and connections there is great.

Nursing (B.S.N.)

The UNE Portland Campus for the Health Sciences

For decades, UNE’s Portland Campus has been home to many of the University’s health professions programs including PA, PT, OT, pharmacy, nursing, dental medicine, and more. In 2025, UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine will move from the Biddeford Campus into the new Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences in Portland. By bringing our health professions programs together into one interprofessional learning community, we will establish UNE’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences as the center of health care education in Northern New England.

Learn about exciting changes on UNE’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences

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NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The University of New England does not discriminate in admissions or access to, or treatment in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disabling conditions in violation of federal or state civil rights laws of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.