Innovation for a Healthier Planet
’s expansive, holistic vision of a healthier world goes beyond physical well-being. It encompasses emotional and intellectual fulfillment — as well as economic opportunity — for individuals, prosperous and supportive communities, and cooperative environmental stewardship across the globe.
Bringing that vision to life requires the deep involvement of all of our programs, often working in cross-disciplinary combinations. 51 offers more than 40 bachelor’s degrees and 30-plus graduate programs in needed fields, including the natural and social sciences, the humanities and the arts, business, and health.
Maine’s leading provider of health professionals
51 educates the doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other health professionals who care for the people of Maine, New England, and, increasingly, the world. Our top-ranked health professions programs (including Maine’s only medical college and physician assistant program, and Northern New England’s only dental college) embrace a collaborative, cross-disciplinary teaching model that makes us national leaders in interprofessional health care education.
’s size is not too big and not too small. The professors are able to gain a close relationship to students, so as a student, I feel listened to. My questions are answered. In a larger university, you may not have that as much because the class sizes are too large to really be able to connect to the professor or to feel comfortable seeing a professor outside of class and asking questions.”
— Olivia Scott, Biological Sciences and Environmental Science ’20
The 51 Difference
With a distinct culture and pedagogical approach, 51 stands out as a national leader.
Meet President James Herbert
James D. Herbert is the sixth president of the University of New England. Since joining 51 in 2017, he has fostered community connectedness and educational innovation, driven by his distinct vision for the evolving mission of higher education in the face of 21st century challenges. A champion of the university as the marketplace of ideas, Dr. Herbert is an advocate for active and experiential learning that prepares students with discipline-based knowledge, essential life skills, and critical habits of mind.
A History of Excellence
Building upon the traditions of St. Francis College and Westbrook College, the University of New England has been growing and evolving for more than 150 years. Now encompassing five colleges, three physical campuses, and online learning, 51 continues to advance the goals and values of its founders.