About Simmons
Simmons University is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian university providing a women-centered undergraduate program and co-educational graduate programs for all individuals.
The University makes 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, but not limited to, in order to manage its resources and/or pursue its policy of continuous improvement appropriately):
- To alter the timetable, location, number of classes, and method of delivery of programs of study.
- To make 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. Such changes, if significant, will typically come into force at the beginning of the following academic year, and/or if fundamental to the program will typically come into force with effect for the next cohort of students.
- To not provide programs of study or to combine them with others if the University 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-centered undergraduate college and co-educational distinguished graduate programs 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. In 2024, Simmons transitioned to a new academic structure with six schools, highlighting the University's signature strengths, accelerating pathways to meaningful careers, and providing students with the leadership skills needed to create a more just world.
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 Schools and Degree Programs
Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Department of Communications
- Bachelor of Arts in Communications
- Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Marketing Communications
- Bachelor of Arts in Interaction Design and Web Development
Department of Education
- Master of Science in Education
- Post-Master's Certificate in Severe Special Needs
Department of History
- Bachelor of Arts in History
- Master of Arts in History
- Master of Arts in History / Master of Science in Library and Information Science
Department of Literature and Writing
- Bachelor of Arts in Literature
- Bachelor of Arts in Writing
- Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children
- Master of Arts in Children's Literature
- Master of Arts in Children’s Literature / Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children
- Master of Arts in Children's Literature / Master of Science in Library and Information Science
Department of Politics and Policy
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
- Master of Public Policy
Department of Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
School of Library and Information Science
- Master of Science
- Doctor of Philosophy
School of Management
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Business & Management
- Bachelor of Arts in Economics
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Finance
- Bachelor of Healthcare Policy and Management*
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Marketing
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Retail Management
- Master of Science in Management
School of Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Master of Science in Nursing
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
School of Sciences and Health Professions
Department of Behavior Analysis
- Master of Science / Education Specialist
- Doctor of Philosophy
Department of Biology
- Bachelor of Science in Biology
- Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science
- Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Behavior
Department of Chemistry & Physics
- Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
- Bachelor of Science in Physics
Department of Computer, Data, and Mathematical Sciences
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Analytics
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Cybersecurity
- Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences
Department of Nutrition
- Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Dietetics
- Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Wellness
- Certificate - Didactic Program in Dietetics
- Certificate - Sports Nutrition
- Dietetic Internship Program
- Master of Science in Nutrition and Health Promotion
Department of Physical Therapy
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
Department of Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology*
- Bachelor of Neuroscience and Behavior
Department of Public Health
- Bachelor of Science in Public Health
- Master of Public Health
School of Social Work
- Bachelor of Science in Social Work
- Bachelor of Arts in Human Services*
- Master of Social Work
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Doctor of Social Work
Undergraduate Programs
- Bachelor of Arts in General Studies*
*Available for Online Degree Completion students only
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 (Greenfield Community College, One College Dr, Greenfield, MA 01301, USA) and Yonsei University (50 Yonsei-ro Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea).
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)
- Boston Children's Hospital (300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115)
- New England Center for Children (NECC), 33 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772. In the United Arab Emirates: MRC-NECC, PO Box 112923, Zone 23, Building 31, Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi; NECC Clinic - Abu Dhabi, Retail Unit No. RD03, Eco Plaza, Plot B11, Block D, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi; and NECC Clinic - Allied Health, Building 27 (IBN Sina) Block B, 2nd Floor, Office 203, Healthcare City, Dubai
- VA Hospital (1400 VFW Pkwy, Boston, MA 02132)
Academic Calendar
Visit the Simmons website for the most up-to-date academic calendar.
Fall 2026 Semester
September 2026
September 2
Fall 2026 Classes Begin For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
September 7
Labor Day - No Classes For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
Fall I 2026 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
September 11
Last Day to Add/Drop Fall 2026 Course(s) in Workday For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
September12
Add/Drop Period Begins For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
September 20
Add/Drop Period Ends For:
@Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, and Social Work Students
September 21 Withdrawal Period Begins For:
@Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, and Social Work Students
September 25
Add/Drop Period Ends at 4:30PM For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
Last day to Change Grading Basis for a Fall 2026 Course
or submit a Formal Audit for:
Traditional Undergraduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
September 26
Withdrawal Period Period Begins For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
October 2026
October 12
Indigenous Peoples’ Day - Floating Holiday - Classes
Meet For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
October 23
Withdrawal Period Ends at 4:30pm For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
November 2026
November 1
Withdrawal Period Ends For:
@Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, and Social Work Students
10 Administrative Tuesday - Wednesday Classes Meet For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
November 11
Veteran’s Day - No Classes For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
November 25-27
Thanksgiving Break - No Classes For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
December 2026
December 8
Spring I 2027 Registration Opens For:
@Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, and Social Work Students
December 14
Fall 2026 Classes End For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
December 15
Reading & Review Day for all Undergraduate students
December 16
Final Grades Due for Fall I 2026 Semester:
@Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, and Social Work Students
December 16-19
Final exam period for all undergraduate students
Spring 2027 Semester
January 2027
January 4
Fall 2026 Final Grades Due at 10AM EST For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
January 11
Spring I 2027 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
January 18
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No Classes For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
January 19
Spring 2027 Classes Begin For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
January 24
Add/Drop Period 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
January 29
Last Day to Self-Register for Spring 2027 Course(s) in Workday For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
January 30
Add/Drop Period Begins For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
February 2027
February 12
Add/Drop Period Ends at 4:30PM For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
Last day to Change Spring 2027 Course(s) Grading Basis to Pass/Fail or Formal Audit For:
Traditional Undergraduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
February 13
Withdrawal Period Begins For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
March 2027
March 1-5
Spring Break - No Classes For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
March 7
Withdrawal Period Ends For:
@Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, and Social Work Students
19 Withdrawal Period Ends at 4:30PM For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
April 2027
April 13
Summer I 2027 Semester Registration Begin For:
@Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, and Social Work Students
19 Patriots Day - No Classes For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
April 20
Administrative Monday - Monday Classes Meet For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
April 22
Final Grades Due for Spring I 2027 Semester:
@Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, and Social Work Students
May 2027
May 7
Spring 2026 Classes End For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
May 10
Reading & Review Day for all Undergraduate students
May 11-14
Final Exam Period for all Undergraduate students
Note: Synchronous finals in the Undergrad Online Degree Completion Program are taken during the last class meeting time.
May 17
Spring 2027 Final Grades Due at 10AM EST for: All Graduating students
Summer 2027 Semester & Summer I 2027 Semester Classes Begin For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
May 21
May 2027 Commencement Ceremony
May 24
Spring 2027 Final Grades Due at 10AM EST for: All Returning students
May 31 Memorial Day - No Classes For:
Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate students
Online Degree Completion Undergraduate students
Online HPED, Online Nutrition, and Online LIS students
MPH Online Students
Withdrawal Period Begins For:
@Simmons I Behavior Analysis, Nursing, and Social Work Students