University of Southern Maine

The University of Southern Maine in Portland, Maine is a public university with both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. It is also part of the University of Maine System that includes 8 campuses in the state. The university was founded in 1878 as the Gorham Academy. In 1970, the academy merged with the University of Maine in Portland to become the University of Maine at Portland-Gorham, before being renamed the University of Southern Maine. The main campus buildings include many multi-story residential homes that were converted into academic buildings. The university ranks as one of the best Northeastern Colleges and enrolls about 7,800 students annually.

The University of Southern Maine School of Nursing offers seven nursing programs. The undergraduate-level programs include BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN to BSN programs. Graduate-level programs include MSN, accelerated MSN, RN to MSN, and DNP. All programs have been accredited by the CCNE since 2005. Students get to develop their nursing skills while practicing in a Health Assessment Lab and Simulation Center. Clinical experience is offered through partnerships with various primary care and public health centers in the region. Students that have already earned a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field may earn their BSN in just 15 months through the accelerated BSN program.