About Simmons
Simmons University is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian university providing an undergraduate program for women and graduate programs for all individuals.
The University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the programs of study other services and facilities in the way described in its materials and on its website. However, the University shall be entitled, if it reasonably considers it to be necessary (including in order to manage its resources and pursue its policy of continuous improvement appropriately):
- To alter the timetable, location, number of classes and method of delivery of programs of study, provided such alterations are reasonable.
- To make reasonable variations to the content and syllabus of programs of study (including in relation to placements).
- To suspend or discontinue programs of study To make changes to its policies and procedures which the University reasonably considers necessary. Such changes if significant will normally come into force at the beginning of the following academic year, and if fundamental to the program will normally come into force with effect from the next cohort of students.
- Not to provide programs of study or to combine them with others if the University reasonably considers this to be necessary (for example, because too few students apply to join the program for it to be viable).
This document is for informational purposes only. It is not a contract and does not form a contractual obligation between the University and its students, faculty, or staff. All information included herein is subject to change without advance notice or obligation. Information that is subject to change includes, but is not limited to, program and/or course offerings, faculty assignments, modality of delivery, admission and graduation requirements, and statements of tuition and fees. The University maintains the right to make any and all changes to this information, in its sole discretion.
Core Purpose:
Transformative learning that links passion with lifelong purpose.
Values:
- We are at our best when students are first.
- We cross boundaries to create opportunities.
- We prepare students for life’s work.
- We make a collective investment in community.
Simmons University is a nationally recognized private institution of higher education located in the heart of Boston. It includes a women’s undergraduate college and distinguished graduate programs for women and men in health sciences, social work, library and information science, business, education, and the liberal arts.
Simmons consistently ranks among the nation’s top schools in its category in the U.S. News & World Report annual survey. A comprehensive university, Simmons is nationally recognized for its experiential learning programs, its blend of graduate and undergraduate offerings, and its commitment to liberal and professional education.
Student success is a priority at Simmons and is founded on these core characteristics:
- A close-knit, accessible community that encourages collaboration and challenges students to do their best work;
- Faculty and scholars who focus on students’ educational and career objectives;
- Extraordinary professional preparation with an emphasis on intellectual exploration and rigor, the integration of theory and practice, leadership, and informed citizenship; and
- An outstanding location in the heart of Boston, a world-class center for education, medicine, and technology, with unlimited educational, career, and social opportunities.
In this spirit, the University fosters open exchange of ideas among students, faculty, and the general Simmons community.
Simmons faculty and leadership have reimagined the organization of the school’s academic disciplines. With its new status as a university, in the fall of 2018 Simmons launched four new colleges structured differently from the traditional discipline silos of higher education. The new structure enhances students’ exposure to interdisciplinary research and teaching; provides new pathways between undergraduate and graduate programs; and develops even stronger experiential learning opportunities. The organization reflects the school’s history of integrating academic study with experience for lifelong professional development.
Over more than a century, Simmons has developed a distinct expertise in educating undergraduate women for their own empowerment. A commitment to student success is a hallmark of the University’s culture. Self-directed inquiry coupled with mentoring builds confidence and leadership skills. Graduates are leaders in professions-- such as Social Work, Nursing, Library Science, Communications and Business, among others -- that have significant impact on families, communities, workplaces and professions.
Simmons University’s Colleges and Degree Programs
Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities
- Department of Art and Music: Bachelor of Arts
- Department of Children's Literature
- Master of Arts
- Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children
- Dual Degree: Master of Arts in Children’s Literature / Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children
- Department of Communications: Bachelor of Arts
- Department of Critical Race, Gender, and Area Studies
- Bachelor of Arts
- Master of Arts
- Department of English: Bachelor of Arts
- Department of History
- Bachelor of Arts
- Master of Arts
- Department of Modern Languages and Literatures: Bachelor of Arts
- Department of Philosophy: Bachelor of Arts
College of Natural, Behavioral, and Health Sciences
- School of Nursing
- Bachelor of Science
- Master of Science
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Department of Behavior Analysis
- Master of Science / Education Specialist
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Department of Biology: Bachelor of Science
- Department of Chemistry and Physics: Bachelor of Science
- Department of Health Professions Education
- Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Health Professions Education
- Doctor of Health Professions Education
- Department of Nutrition
- Bachelor of Science
- Master of Science
- Certificate in the Didactic Program in Dietetics
- Dietetic Internship Program
- Department of Physical Therapy: Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Department of Psychology:Bachelor of Science
College of Organizational, Computational, and Information Sciences
- School of Library and Information Science
- Master of Science
- Doctor of Philosophy
- School of Business: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Division of Mathematics, Computing, and Statistics: Bachelor of Science
College of Social Sciences, Policy, and Practice
- School of Social Work
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Master of Social Work
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Doctor of Social Work
- Department of Economics: Bachelor of Arts
- Department of Education
- Master of Arts
- Master of Science / Education Specialist
- Department of Political Science and International Relations
- Bachelor of Arts
- Master of Public Policy
- Department of Public Health
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
- Master of Public Health
Department of Sociology:Bachelor of Arts
Cross-College Dual Degrees
Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities and The College of Organizational, Computational, and Information Sciences
- Master of Arts in Children’s Literature / Master of Science in Library and Information Science
- Master of Arts in History / Master of Science in Library and Information Science: Archives Concentration
Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities and The College of Social Sciences, Policy, and Practice
- Master of Arts in Gender and Cultural Studies / Master of Public Policy
- Master of Arts in Children’s Literature, Gender and Cultural Studies, or History / Master of Arts in Teaching
Additional Instructional Locations
Simmons’ Graduate programs in Children’s Literature are also offered at the Eric Carle Museum of Picturebook Art (125 West Bay Road, Amherst, MA 01002)
Simmons Graduate programs in Library and Information Science are also offered at the Mount Holyoke College Satellite Campus (50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075 USA)
Simmons University has agreements with the following organizations for degree offerings for their employees:
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215)
- Martha's Vineyard Regional High School (4 Pine Street, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568)
- New England Center for Children (33 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 and Abu Dhabi PO Box 112923 - 51st St, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
- RCS Learning Center (6 Strathmore Rd., Natick, MA 01760)
- South Shore Hospital (55 Fogg Road, South Weymouth, MA 02190)
- VA Hospital (1400 VFW Pkwy, Boston, MA 02132)
Fall 2020 Academic Calendars
Academic Calendar for All Undergraduates** and for these Graduate Programs
Children’s Literature
Education
Gender and Cultural Studies
History
Library and Information Science
Nutrition
Public Policy
September 2020
2 Classes Begin
2 Convocation, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Remote via Zoom/YouTube
7 University closed for Labor Day
11 Last day to Add or Drop a course in AARC
25 Last day to Add a course (signatures required)
25 Last day to Drop a course so that the course does not appear on transcript(signatures required)
October 2020
23 Last day to submit form and petition Ad Board to add a course.
23 Last day to Drop a course and receive a “W” on transcript
31 October degree conferral date
November 2020
10 Administrative Wednesday. Tuesday classes do not meet. Wednesday classes meet as do Wednesday p.m. faculty meetings.
11 University closed for Veteran's Day
25-27 University closed for Thanksgiving Break
December 2020
15 Final Day of undergraduate classes
16 Reading and Review
17-21 Final Exam Period
**Direct Entry and 4+1 Nursing Students should consult emails from the School of Nursing for specific calendar details.
Academic Calendar for the following Graduate Programs (FA1 Term)
Behavior Analysis
Nursing
Social Work
September 2020 (FA1 Term)
2 Convocation, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Remote via Zoom/YouTube
7 University closed for Labor Day
14 Classes Begin
27 (4:30 p.m.) Last time to Add or Drop a course in AARC
November 2020
8 (4:30 p.m.) Last time to Drop a course and receive a “W” on transcript
December 2020
20 Term Ends
Calendar for the @MBA and @MPH Programs
October 2020
5 Classes Begin
18 (4:30 p.m.) Last time to Add or Drop a course in AARC
November 2020
29 (4:30 p.m.) Last time to Drop a course and receive a “W” on transcript
December 2020
12 Term ends
Calendar for the (FA3 Term) @MS Nursing and @MSW Programs
November 2020
2 Term Begins
15 (4:30 pm) Last time to Add or Drop a course in AARC
January 2021
3 (4:30 p.m.) Last time to Drop a course and receive a “W” on transcript
February 2021
21 Term Ends
Simmons University's Spring 2021 Academic Calendars are subject to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see the online academic calendar for updates.