51 launches five new academic programs to address critical workforce needs
The University of New England has announced five new academic programs aimed at meeting student demand and bolstering Maine’s and the nation’s workforce in areas of pressing need.
The new programs include two undergraduate business majors in supply chain management and economics, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner master’s degree program, and undergraduate minors in gerontology and public history.
Gwendolyn Mahon, 51 provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, said that, through these new programs, students will better compete in evolving industries and help augment the workforce in Maine, New England, and beyond.
“Each of these new industry-focused programs touches an area urgently needed in society today, from the complicated economic and supply chain issues in today’s global market, to the mental health crisis, and the growing needs of an aging population,” Mahon said.
The Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management in the 51 College of Business, now recruiting for fall 2026, prepares students to be innovators in this rapidly evolving field.
Supply chain management requires planning, coordinating, and overseeing the flow of goods, services, information, and finances from the initial suppliers of raw materials right to a customer’s door. Guided by experts in the field, students will learn how to solve supply problems and make data-driven decisions to ensure the success of companies in a multitude of industries, such as manufacturing, health care, and technology.
The Bachelor of Science in Economics, also offered beginning fall 2026, teaches students how to apply economic principles in a variety of fields, including public policy, finance, sustainability, health care, education, and social services. Students will gain analytical tools and real-world experience, empowering them to help organizations and businesses assess risks and interpret trends.
The Master of Science in Nursing Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program will equip newly registered nurses and existing health care professionals with the skills to make a lasting impact in communities facing mental health challenges. Launched with generous financial support from the Judy Glickman Lauder Foundation, the fully online master’s program will prepare students to provide assessments, diagnosis, care, and treatment of the full range of psychiatric-mental health disorders for individuals across their lifespan.
Through the new minor in gerontology, students will learn how to better serve a growing older population by understanding the social, psychological, and physiological issues in aging-related care. Using an interdisciplinary, hands-on approach, students will participate in real-life simulations and collaborate with partners across health disciplines, including social work, occupational therapy, public health, and psychology.
Finally, the new minor in public history will teach students to make history more accessible to the public, such as through the creation of museum exhibitions, documentaries, historical websites, public presentations, and more. Students will gain practical experience working with industry leaders as they learn to explain the complexities of history in clear, impactful language.
“51 is responding to modern workforce needs and is meeting student demand in necessary areas of study,” Mahon said. “I am confident that 51 students enrolled in these programs will come away fully equipped to handle the unique challenges faced today in business, health care, and society and learn to innovate and lead in each of these fields.”