About Physical Therapy at UNE

In the University of New England’s Doctor of Physical Therapy department, you’ll join a welcoming community of passionate students, faculty, and staff who excel in the physical therapy profession across the globe.

Become a leader in the expansive field of PT

Earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in Maine with the University of New England — recognized as a top university by The Princeton Review.

The UNE D.P.T. program empowers students to become compassionate physical therapy leaders who bring forth positive change and facilitate the wellness of patients and communities. 

Learn more about the UNE Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program

What Makes the UNE D.P.T. Special

Become Workforce Ready

A previous D P T student assists a patient with arm exercises at their job

From standout elective courses to field learning across Maine, UNE's D.P.T. degree prepares students to be effective leaders in the physical therapy profession. For the past three years, our students have scored an average of 95% on the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) — higher than the national average.

Join a Strong Community

Six physical therapy students sit and talk in a study room

The UNE physical therapy program has a welcoming culture. Our students form lasting bonds with one another and with faculty and professional staff — bonds that last beyond campus and graduation. Many of the D.P.T. faculty and professional staff are invested in the physical therapy profession at state and national levels, and proudly share their expertise with students.

Learn Through Experiences

A professor looks at a monitor that displays motion information based on a student's movements

As a D.P.T. student, you have access to top-notch clinical experiences. You'll also have service learning opportunities, such as the Maine Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program — a program available for physical therapy students in Maine only through UNE.

Global Opportunities

UNE health professions student on service learning trip to Ghana.

Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program have unique opportunities to travel and work hands-on in communities across the globe. From interdisciplinary experience on UNE's Morocco campus, to service learning in Ghana, to programs in Iceland, India, Greece, and other locations there are many options for you to expand your skills and make lasting global connections.

Meet Alumnus Daniel Frey ’08

The University of New England D.P.T. program definitely prepared me to bring my running passion to my PT practice.” — Daniel Frey, D.P.T. ’08; Co-Owner of Finish Strong Physical Therapy in Portland, Maine

Read D.P.T. Testimonials

PT at UNE By The Numbers

100%

of UNE D.P.T. graduates passed the national licensing exam

2022–2023
82%

of our graduates passed the national licensing examination on their first attempt

2022–2023
100%

of UNE D.P.T. graduates surveyed were employed within one year of graduation

2022–2023
95%

of enrolled students graduated from our Doctor of Physical Therapy program

2022–2023

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, which echoes the success of our D.P.T. students. See details about our Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program

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

Students of the UNE Physical Therapy degree program 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.

Learn More and Apply

Accreditation

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of New England is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; telephone: (703) 706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website:
http://www.capteonline.org; If needing to contact the UNE PT program directly, please call (207) 221-4590 or email ptdepartment@mng-cz.com

Complaints to CAPTE

Other concerns outside the realm of due process should be directed to the D.P.T. program director or to the dean of the Westbrook College of Health Professions.