The Simmons approach to liberal education is flexible. Students develop a program suited to their individual interests and career plans. Some areas of study are sequential and are best elected early in a student’s program. Faculty and staff advisors assist students as they consider their options, set goals, and make academic and career plans. The fieldwork and internships offered by academic departments provide opportunities to test career areas and to consider the possibility of further professional study after graduation. Simmons has also identified opportunities for study abroad and encourages participation in study abroad offerings.
Majors and Minors
Students may elect a major as early as summer orientation before they begin classes in the fall. A major must be declared upon completion of five semesters (80 semester hours) of full-time study. Students take a minimum of 28 semester hours in a major field, as determined by each department. Please note that some majors require prerequisite courses. The programs also offer fieldwork or internships through which students may apply their knowledge and explore opportunities in a career field related to their area(s) of study. Students may elect a single department major or a combination of majors.
The curriculum offers the following options:
Option
|
Description
|
| Single Major |
A coherent sequence of courses administered by a single department |
| Double Major |
Student fulfills two complete majors |
| Joint Major |
A sequence of courses drawn from two departments and advised and administered with the cooperation of both |
Interdepartmental major
|
An interdisciplinary program involving two or more departments or programs |
| Option for Personalized Education (OPEN) |
OPEN offers students an opportunity to design a major with the assistance of a faculty advisor. It enables a student to work out an individualized major in accordance with their own educational needs and goals. Contact the Associate Provost of Curriculum Assessment, and Accreditation, Kelly Hager, for more information (kelly.hager@simmons.edu). |
| Minor |
A minor is an integrated group of courses designed to give a student significant exposure to a subject area other than their major. All minors are 20 credits (five courses). Minors are not required for graduation, but they can be elected by those students who wish to indicate an area of interest that complements and refines their major, suggests a distinct area of concentration, or expresses a particular passion or avocation. |
Majors
Students may plan a program of academic and career preparation by electing a major in the humanities, the social sciences, the sciences, or one of the professional programs. Undergraduate majors include:
Accounting
Africana Studies
Applied Psychology (for Online Degree Completion Program students only)
Applied Spanish
Biochemistry
Biology
Business & Management*
Chemistry
Communications*
Computer Science*
Data Science and Analytics
Dual Degree in Engineering
Economics
Finance
General Studies (for Online Degree Completion Program students only)
Health Care Policy and Management (for Online Degree Completion Program students only)
Health and Exercise Science
History
Humanities
Human Services (for Online Degree Completion Program students only)
Information Technology and Cybersecurity
Interaction Design and Web Development
Literature
Marketing
Mathematical Sciences
Neuroscience and Behavior
Nursing
Nutrition and Dietetics
Nutrition and Wellness
Option for Personalized Education (OPEN)
Physics
Political Science
Psychology#
Public Health*
Public Relations and Marketing Communications
Retail Management
Social Work*
Sociology
Writing
Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
*Available to Online Degree Completion Program students as a major.
#Available to Online Degree Completion Program students as a minor.
Please consult Online Degree Completion Program for updated offerings.
Minors
Academic majors are also offered as minors. In addition, a number of specialized and interdisciplinary minors are available:
Art
Arts Administration
Biostatistics
Cinema and Media Studies
Design
Education
Environmental Health
Gender History
Health Care Management
Health Humanities
Integrated Media
International Relations
Journalism
Law and Justice
Leadership for Social Impact
Literature and Writing
Mathematics
Migration Studies
Performing Arts
Philosophy
Photography
Public History
Public Policy Studies
Scientific Computation
Social Media
Software Development
Statistics
Sustainability
Other Academic Programs
Honors Program
The Honors Program at Simmons University provides a foundation for a motivated group of on-campus undergraduate students to explore the complexity of the world and their place in it. The goal of this four-year academic program is to support depth in a departmental discipline of choice and to enhance that disciplinary knowledge through interdisciplinary studies, global awareness, and pre-professional preparation.
The Honors Program provides an opportunity for students with distinguished high school academic records who are newly entering Simmons to join a community of intellectually engaged scholars who seek to challenge themselves both in and out of the classroom.
Students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.4 and be in good academic standing to remain in the program.
Pre-law
Unlike pre-medical programs, which are quite specific and virtually obligatory for medical school candidates, a pre-law “curriculum” is largely a myth. While no particular curriculum path is the ideal route to law school, Simmons’ strong academic programs, small classes, and extensive opportunities for student/professor interaction are an ideal preparation.
A student who is considering law school after graduation should make an appointment with the Pre-Law Advisor to discuss specific interests and plans. Through the pre-law program, the Pre-Law Advisor helps to guide students with their applications to law school; supplies information to help with the application process and with taking the LSAT; and keeps in touch with pre-law students through a weekly email blast and in-person meetings. Additionally, the Pre-Law Advisor organizes extra-curricular activities of interest to prelaw students: lectures and discussions, panels of Simmons alumnae/i who practice law, and internships related to law. For more information, please contact the Pre-Law Advisor, Eli Ratner (eli.ratner@simmons.edu).
Simmons and UMass Law 3+3 Accelerated Program
Simmons University offers students the opportunity to accelerate their undergraduate and their JD degrees with the Simmons and UMass Law 3+3 accelerated program. Participants will complete their undergraduate major at Simmons in three years, and then move to UMass Law to complete three years of law school. After successful completion of one year of law school, those 30 UMass Law credits will transfer back to Simmons, and the student will graduate from Simmons with their bachelors degree.
Pre-Health/Pre-Medical
Undergraduate preparation for medical, dental, optometric, or veterinary medicine school should include a strong foundation in the natural sciences and a background in the social sciences and humanities. Admission requirements for medical schools can be fulfilled within the context of almost any liberal arts or science major at Simmons.
First year students should meet with the pre-health Professional Advisor to discuss their interests and course of study. Our pre-health Student Academic Mentor coordinates activities and information sessions throughout the academic year and is always available to answer questions. The Faculty Pre-Health Advisor assists students with academic planning, extracurricular initiatives and the application process. Interested students may also join the Simmons Premedical Liaison and the Colleges of the Fenway Chapter of the American Medical Students Association (AMSA). Simmons is a member of Biological Honor Society (Beta Beta Beta).
The Simmons Edge
The Simmons Edge is an integrated academic and experiential program that enables students to accelerate their undergraduate and/or graduate education and connect academic work directly to their career goals. The Simmons Edge incorporates
The Simmons Edge offers two paths. Students may choose the direct or the exploratory pathway.
Direct Pathways
Students who know what they want to study and where they want to take their career may apply for an accelerated bachelor’s to master's or doctoral degree program during the undergraduate admission process.
3 + 1 Accelerated Master’s Degree Programs
Qualified students can earn both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in four years. See the programs below or the Simmons Website for more information.
BS in Computer Science and MS in Library and Information Science
BS in Information Technology and MS in Library and Information Science
BA in Economics and MPP
BA in Political Science and MPP
BA in Sociology and MPP
BS in Public Health and MPH
BSW and MSW in Social Work
4 + 1 Accelerated Master’s Degree Programs
Qualified undergraduates can obtain an accelerated degree in Children’s Literature, Gender/Cultural Studies, History, Nutrition, and other programs. Undergraduate courses can be counted toward the Master’s degree—the number varies by program. A student applies for admission to the graduate program in their junior year. See the programs below or the Simmons website for specific program requirements.
BS/MS Biology/Nutrition
BS/MS Health and Exercise Science/Nutrition
BS/MS Nutrition/Nutrition and Health Promotion
BS/MS Public Health/Nutrition
BSN/MSN Nursing
BS Dual Degree Engineering Program
Accelerated Doctoral Degree Programs
BS Health & Exercise Science/Doctor of Physical Therapy
BSN/MSN/DNP Nursing
Exploratory Pathways
For Exploratory Pathways, students begin their undergraduate education and then apply to a Master’s program in their junior year. These programs are open to all students, regardless of major, as long as they complete the prerequisite course and meet the program requirements.
Current Exploratory Pathways include:
Behavior Analysis (MS)
Children's Literature (MA/MFA)
Gender and Cultural Studies (MA)
Gender and Cultural Studies and Public Policy (MA)
History (MA)
Library and Information Science (MS)
Management (MS)
Nutrition and Health Promotion (MS)
Public Health (MPH)
Public Policy (MPP)
Social Work (MSW)
Exploratory Pathway Policies and Requirements
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 required.
- Students must have an advising meeting with the program director before applying, and their application fee will be waived.
- Students have until June 15 after they have completed their junior year to apply to the exploratory program to enter the accelerated master's program.
- Students who begin a graduate program as an undergraduate are not required to finish the graduate program in order for up to two graduate courses to count toward their undergraduate degree.
- Acceptance into a graduate program is conditional upon passing all prerequisite and all graduate classes taken with the grades required by the program. Prerequisites and required grades vary by program.
- Up to two graduate courses taken during the fall and spring semesters will be included in the undergraduate flat tuition rate for that semester. Graduate courses taken during the summer will be billed on a per credit basis at the undergraduate tuition rate.
Study Abroad
Simmons students are encouraged to study abroad.
Simmons Center for Global Education works closely with university partners and study abroad providers to offer high quality semester and summer study abroad opportunities to Simmons students throughout the world.
Students in good standing are eligible to study abroad. The Center for Global Education will help students identify the program that best matches their academic and career interests. CGE maintains a list of approved semester study abroad programs eligible for Home School Tuition, which allows students to utilize their financial aid to study abroad. There are also scholarships available by application for summer study abroad. Students interested in international study are urged to begin planning early in their academic career by visiting the study abroad website.
Credit for Prior Learning
The Credit for Prior Learning program offers Dix Scholars and Online Degree Completion students an opportunity to receive academic credit for knowledge gained through life experience. For more information, students Undergraduate Advising (advising@simmons.edu).