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

School of Business: Bachelor of School of Library and Information Science

  • Master of Science
  • Doctor of Philosophy

School of Social Work

  • Bachelor of Social Work
  • Master of Social Work
  • Doctor of Philosophy
  • Doctor of Social Work

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 (Gender and Cultural Studies)
  • Master of Arts (Gender and Cultural Studies)

Department of Economics

  • Bachelor of Arts

Program in Education

  • Master of Arts
  • Master of Science / Education Specialist

Department of History

  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Master of Arts

Department of Literature and Writing

  • Bachelor of Arts

Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

  • Bachelor of Arts

Department of Philosophy

  • Bachelor of Arts

Department of Political Science and International Relations

  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Master of Public Policy

Department of Public Health

  • Bachelor of Science
  • Masters in Public Health

Department of Sociology

  • Bachelor of Arts
  • 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
  • Master of Arts in Gender and Cultural Studies and Public Policy (Joint Degree)
  • Master of Arts in Children's Literature, Gender and Cultural Studies, or History / Master of Arts in Teaching

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

Division of Mathematics, Computing, and Statistics: Bachelor of Science

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

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 SLIS West (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)

Academic Calendar

The following calendar applies to all undergraduate and graduate students unless otherwise indicated.

Fall 2023

September 2023

4 Labor Day - No Classes For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science students

5 Fall 2023 Classes Begin For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science students

10 @Simmons July Term Withdrawal Period Ends For:

NURS/SW@Simmons
MPH@Simmons

11 Fall I 2023 Semester Classes Begin For:

@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, and Social Work Students

Add/Drop Period Begins For:
@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, and Social Work Students

15 Last day to Add/Drop Fall 2023 Course(s) in Workday For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science students

16 Add/Drop Period Begins For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science students

24 Add/Drop Period Ends Ends For:

@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, and Social Work Students

25 Withdrawal Period Begins For:

@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, and Social Work Students

29 Add/Drop Period Ends at 4:30PM For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science students

Last day to Change Fall 2023 Course(s) Grading Basis to Pass/Fail or Formal Audit For:
Traditional Undergraduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students

Interim grading portal opens for Traditional Undergraduate and CompleteDegree faculty on Workday.

30 Add/Withdrawal Period Begins For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science students

October 2023

1 MPH@Simmons: July Term Classes End

6 MPH@Simmons: July Term Grades due by 12PM EST

9 Indigenous People's Day - No Classes For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science students
Fall IV 2023 Semester Classes Begin For:
@ Simmons MPH Students

Add/Drop Period Begins For:
@ Simmons MPH Students

10 Administrative Monday - Monday Classes Meet For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science students

13 Interim grading portal closes for Traditional Undergraduate and CompleteDegree faculty on Workday.

22 NURS/SW@Simmons: July Term Classes End

Add/Drop Period Ends For:
@ Simmons MPH Students

23 Withdrawal Period Begins For: @ Simmons MPH Students

27 NURS/SW@Simmons: July Term Grades due by 12PM EST

Add/WithdrawalPeriod Ends at 4:30PM For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science students

November 2023

5 WithdrawalPeriod Ends For:

@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, and Social Work Students

6 Fall III 2023 Semester Classes Begin For:

@ Simmons III Nursing and Social Work Students

Add/Drop Period Begins For:
@ Simmons III Nursing and Social Work Students

19 Add/Drop Period Ends For:

@ Simmons III Nursing and Social Work Students

20 WithdrawaPeriod Begins For:

@ Simmons III Nursing and Social Work Students

22–24 Thanksgiving Break - No Classes For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science students

December 2023

3 Withdrawal Period Ends For: @ Simmons MPH Students

12–14 Spring I 2024 Registration Opens

@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, MPH, and Social Work Students

15 Fall 2023 Classes End For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science students

17 Fall I 2023 Semester Classes End For:

@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, and Social Work Students

18 Reading & Review Day for all Undergraduate students

Fall I 2023 Semester Final Grades Due For:
@Simmons I Behavior Analysis Students

19-22 Final Exam Period for all Undergraduate students

20 Fall I 2023 Semester Final Grades Due For:

@ Simmons I Nursing and Social Work Students

23 Winter Break Starts - No Classes Held For:

@Simmons III Nursing & Social Work
(classes will resume on 1/8)

24 Fall IV 2023 Semester Classes End For:

@ Simmons MPH Students

29 Fall IV 2023 Semester Grades Due For:

@ Simmons MPH Students

Spring 2024

January 2024

4 Fall 2023 Final Grades Due at 10AM EST For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate Students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate Students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science Students

7 Fall III 2023 Withdrawal Period Ends For:

@ Simmons III Nursing and Social Work Students

8 Winter Break Ends - Classes Resume For:

@Simmons III Nursing & Social Work

15 Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No Classes For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate Students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate Students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science Students

Spring I 2024 Semester Classes Begin For:

@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, MPH, and Social Work Students

Add/Drop Period Begins For:
@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, MPH, and Social Work Students

16 Spring 2024 Semester Classes Begin For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate Students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate Students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science Students

26 Last day to Add/Drop Spring 2024 Course(s) in Workday For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science students

27 Add/DropPeriod Begins For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science students

28 Add/Drop Period Ends For:

@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, MPH, and Social Work Students

29 Withdrawal Period Begins For:

@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, MPH, and Social Work Students

February 2024

9 Add/Drop Period Ends at 4:30PM For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science students

Last day to Change Spring 2024 Course(s) Grading Basis to Pass/Fail or Formal Audit For:
Traditional Undergraduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students

10 Withdrawal Period Begins For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science students

13–14 Spring III 2024 Semester Registration Begin For:

@ Simmons III Nursing and Social Work Students

20 Administrative Monday - Monday Classes Meet For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science Students

25 Fall III 2023 Semester Classes End For:

@ Simmons III Nursing and Social Work Students

29 Fall III 2023 Semester Final Grades Due For:

@ Simmons III Nursing Students

March 2024

1 Fall III 2023 Semester Final Grades Due For:

@ Simmons III Social Work Students

4–8 Spring Break - No Classes For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate Students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate Students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science Students

10 Withdrawal Period Ends For:

@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, MPH, and Social Work Students

11 Withdrawal Period Ends at 4:30PM For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science students

18 Spring III 2024 Semester Classes Begin For:

@ Simmons III Nursing and Social Work Students

Add/Drop Period Begins For:
@ Simmons III Nursing and Social Work Students

31 Add/Drop Period Ends For:

@ Simmons III Nursing and Social Work Students

April 2024

1 Withdrawal Period Begins For:

@ Simmons III Nursing and Social Work Students

9–11 Summer I 2024 Semester Registration Begin For:

@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, MPH, and Social Work Students

15 Patriots Day - No Classes For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate Students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate Students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science Students

21 Spring I 2024 Semester Classes End For:

@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, MPH, and Social Work Students

22 Spring I 2024 Semester Final Grades Due For:

@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis Students

25 Spring I 2024 Semester Final Grades Due For:

@ Simmons I Nursing Students

26 Spring I 2024 Semester Final Grades Due For:

@ Simmons I Social Work Students

May 2024

6 Spring 2024 Class End For:

Undergraduate and Graduate students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library &
Information Science students

7 Reading & Review Day for all Undergraduate students

8-11 Final Exam Period for all Undergraduate students

12 Withdrawal Period Ends For:

@ Simmons III Nursing and Social Work Students

13 Spring 2024 Final Grades Due at 10AM EST For All Graduating students

Summer 2024 Semester & Summer I 2024 Semester Classes Begin For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate Students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate Students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science Students

Summer I 2024 Semester Classes Begin For:
@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, MPH, and Social Work Students

Add/Drop Period Begins For:
@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, MPH, and Social Work Students

17 May 2024 Commencement Ceremony

20 Spring 2024 Final Grades Due at 10AM EST for all Returning students

26 Add/Drop Period Ends For: @ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, MPH, and Social Work Students

27 Memorial Day - No Classes For:

Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate Students
CompleteDegree Undergraduate Students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online Library & Information Science Students

Withdrawal Period Begins For:
@ Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, MPH, and Social Work Students

July 2024

3 Summer Session I Ends

8 Summer Session II Begins

August 2024

23 Summer Session Ends

Summer Session II Ends