UMaine launches new doctoral nursing programs

Mon, 06/08/2026 - 11:10am

ORONO — Amid shortages of nurse educators and advanced practice nurses in Maine and nationwide that are limiting care access and quality, according to the University of Maine, in a news release, UMaine is launching two new nursing programs.

The University of Maine System (UMS) Board of Trustees recently approved a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing program and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with a concentration in Family Nursing Practice.

The programs are expected to begin enrolling students in 2027.

According to the news release, the Ph.D. program will be the first research-focused doctoral nursing degree in northern New England, while the DNP will transition the existing family nurse practitioner track to a doctoral degree aligned with evolving national standards for advanced practice nursing.

Startup funding for the programs is being provided through a one-time Congressionally Directed Spending award secured by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

“These efforts position the University of Maine to lead the future of healthcare education and research in Maine,” said President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. “We are grateful to Senator Collins for her leadership in securing this federal funding, which will expand nursing education, bring healthcare disciplines together and open new pathways that build the statewide healthcare workforce Maine needs.”

Letters of support for the Ph.D. and DNP programs were submitted by The Jackson Laboratory, Lunder Learning Partnerships of Maine, MaineHealth, Northern Light Health, Penobscot Community Health Care and St. Joseph Hospital.

“To meet Maine’s current and growing demand for nurses, particularly in rural and underserved communities, we must expand enrollment in undergraduate nursing programs across the University of Maine System,” said Gabriel Paquette, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. “That expansion requires more faculty members with Ph.D. credentials. At the same time, healthcare systems need more doctoral-level advanced practice nurses and clinical leaders. These programs will address both needs.”

Designed for working professionals across Maine, the doctoral programs include coursework in nursing science, advanced statistics, qualitative and quantitative research methods, grant writing and dissertation research.

Although the Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing programs serve different purposes — the DNP prepares advanced clinical and healthcare leaders, while the Ph.D. prepares nurse scientists and researchers — both are intended to strengthen the state’s pipeline of nurse educators, advanced practice nurses and healthcare researchers.

According to labor market data, Maine employed more than 1,600 nurse practitioners in 2024, with demand projected to continue growing over the next decade.

“These programs create new opportunities for nurses to pursue doctoral education without leaving Maine, while also expanding access for nurses in neighboring states such as New Hampshire and Vermont, where doctoral nursing education options remain limited,” said Dr. Kathryn Robinson, associate director and associate professor at the UMaine School of Nursing.

About the University of Maine: As Maine’s only public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, the University of Maine advances learning and discovery through excellence and innovation. Founded in 1865 in Orono, UMaine is the state’s land, sea and space grant university with a regional campus at the University of Maine at Machias. Our students come from all over the world and work with faculty conducting fieldwork around the globe — from the North Atlantic to the Antarctic. Located on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation with UMaine Machias located in the homeland of the Passamaquoddy Nation, UMaine’s statewide mission is to foster an environment that creates tomorrow’s leaders. As the state’s flagship institution, UMaine offers nearly 200 degree programs through which students can earn bachelor’s, master’s, professional master’s and doctoral degrees as well as graduate certificates. For more information about UMaine and UMaine Machias, visit umaine.edu/about/quick-facts/ and machias.edu/about-umm/umm-facts/.