About Occupational Therapy at UNE

The University of New England's Occupational Therapy department is a community of scholars and students who are passionate about the transformative power of everyday activities. We’ll prepare you in client-centered critical thinking and clinical excellence for a fulfilling, successful occupational therapy practice.

Become a Leader in the Growing Field of OT

Earn your OT degree in Portland, Maine with the University of New England — recognized as a top university by The Princeton Review. At UNE, we define “occupation” as any activity that brings a sense of meaning to a patient — from a child learning to play to an older adult maintaining the ability to cook. Be a part of our innovative M.S.O.T. degree program in Portland, Maine. Find your purpose in helping others connect with their purpose.

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Open House

Saturday, November 9

Discover your future at UNE’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences AT UNE’s Fall Graduate Open House.

Register Now

What Makes the UNE M.S.O.T. Special

Experience All Areas of Practice

student of occupational therapy degree program working with pediatric patient

UNE M.S.O.T. students develop a diversity of career options through engagement with the full range of practice areas. You’ll graduate with the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients. Discover OT Fieldwork at UNE

Study With Innovative Scholars

A guest lecturer shows how to put a handmade splint on an O T student

You will have a fascinating OT education in the care of faculty who are engaged with and dedicated to your progress. Our team includes nationally recognized scholars who bring the leading edge of theory and practice to the classroom. See OT Research

Learn With Other Health Professions

Occupational Therapy students in Portland, Maine.

UNE is a leading health university, so our OT students receive interprofessional training alongside future doctors, nurses, and other health professionals. Learn how to collaborate in today’s team-based care. About the Occupational Therapy Degree Program 

Partnerships and Peers

occupational therapy master's class of 2018 students stand in OT shape

With UNE’s long-term community partnerships, you’ll have access to fascinating field learning. Through these relationships and our welcoming, supportive culture, you’ll build a strong network for your occupational therapy career. View the M.S.O.T. Curriculum

Meet Alumnus Matthew Capaldo ’13

“The University of New England OT program casts a very wide net in order to allow us to learn a multitude of skills in different clinical backgrounds.” — Matthew Capaldo ’13; Director of Rehabilitation at Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center in Boston

Read M.S.O.T. Testimonials

OT by the numbers

#9

best master’s degree

Forbes
Top 20

best health care jobs

U.S. News and World Report, 2023
Top 100

best jobs

U.S. News and World Report, 2023

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

Maine’s Leading University for the Health Professions and Sciences

Quality academics, respected degrees

UNE is proud of the recognition we've received for our OT master’s program, which echoes the success of our students: 100% of our 2019 to 2021 graduates passed the NBCOT licensure exam within one year.

Title
Best Colleges: National
Source
U.S. News & World Report
Year
2025
Title
Best Colleges
Source
Princeton Review
Year
2025

Live and study in Portland, Maine

UNE M.S.O.T. students study on our Portland, Maine campus, a classic New England quad with brick buildings and tall trees that's about 100 miles from downtown Boston. Portland, named “America’s Most Livable City” by Forbes and “Foodiest Small Town in America” by Bon Appetit, is the city on every list. A rustic port hosts a cool cultural scene — with outdoor adventure all around. UNE’s campus is just 10 minutes from downtown.

Portland harbor near the UNE health professions campus in Portland, Maine.

Additional Information

Mission

Our mission is to develop, innovative, and collaborative OT practitioners and leaders who respond to the dynamic needs of people and communities to support health and wellness through occupational engagement.

Vision

Our vision is to lead the profession in meeting the society’s occupational needs of people, communities, and populations by fostering excellence in occupational therapy teaching, scholarship, and service.

NBCOT Exam Pass Rates

M.S. program graduates are eligible to take the certification examination administered by the National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy.

Learn more about the exam and UNE pass rates

View program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

Accreditation

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at UNE was initially accredited in 1985 and has been continuously accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) since that time. Our next accreditation visit will occur in the 2024/2025 academic year. ACOTE is located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, North Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number, C/O AOTA is (301) 652-6611 and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.