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Accelerated Degree Programs

There are four accelerated degree options that allow a student to pursue a graduate degree in Nutrition and Health Promotion after completing their BS in Nutrition, Biology,  Exercise Science or Public Health.

Nutrition (BS)/Nutrition and Health Promotion (MS): 4 + 1 Program

This program allows students interested in nutrition to obtain a BS in nutrition and a MS in nutrition and health promotion in an accelerated five-year program. If accepted, students will work with her advisor, to plan to take SNHS 410 Research Methods and SNHS 450 The Health Care System: Interdisciplinary Perspectives during the fall and spring of her senior year, respectively.

Exercise Science (BS)/Nutrition and Health Promotion (MS): 4 + 1 Program

This program allows students interested in exercise science and nutrition to obtain a BS in exercise science and a MS in nutrition and health promotion. Working with an advisor, a student will take SNHS 410 Research Methods and SNHS 450, The Health Care System: Interdisciplinary Perspectives during the fall and spring semester of the senior year. Please see the Department of Biology for the required courses to enter this program.

Public Health (BS)/Nutrition (MS): 4 + 1 Program

The Public Health major is an interdisciplinary major in Biology and Sociology and offers two tracks (Biology and Sociology). An accelerated five-year BS Public Health (Biology track)/MS Nutrition program is jointly offered by the Biology Department, , and the Nutrition Department, College of Natural, Behavioral and Health Sciences.

Students complete this accelerated BS/MS program in five years and receive a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Public Health and a Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Health Promotion. Graduates of this program will find opportunities and careers in a variety of fields promoting health, which include research, government programs, weight loss centers, and exercise facilities. Working with an advisor, two graduate courses, SNHS 410 Research Methods and SNHS 450 Health Care Systems: Interdisciplinary Perspectives, are taken in the senior year.

Biology (BS)/Nutrition (MS): 4 + 1 Program

This program allows students interested in biology and nutrition to obtain a BS in biology and a MS in nutrition and health promotion. Working with an advisor, a student will take SNHS 410 Research Methods and SNHS 450, The Health Care System: Interdisciplinary Perspectives during the fall and spring semester of the senior year. Please see the Department of Biology for the required courses to enter this program.

Application Requirements

Students may apply to the joint programs during their second semester junior year. Formal application should be made through the Nutrition Department. The application requirements for all three programs are as follows:

  • The student must be earning a BS degree, have completed the prerequisites for the MS degree, and be in their junior year of their BS.
  • The student must have maintained satisfactory academic progress in their coursework and attained a final minimum GPA of 3.3 at the time of their application (GPA usually through their fall semester of their junior year).
  • The student must show strong evidence of communication skills and motivation.
  • The Student must present two favorable letters of recommendation from Simmons University faculty members; at least one must be from a full time faculty member in the department of their major.
  • In order for an accepted student to continue with the program after her/his senior year (UG), she/he must meet the following academic standards her/his senior year.
  • Have maintained satisfactory academic progress in coursework through the Spring semester of her/his senior year and attained a final undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.3 upon graduation (including spring semester grades)
  • Have met the MS in Nutrition and Health Promotion requirement of attaining a minimum of a B in each of the graduate courses taken as part of the program during her/his senior year. Specific criteria for each program are listed below.