Graduation Requirements for On-Campus Students
PLAN Requirements, Purpose, and Double Counting (for On-Campus Students)
|
|
PLAN REQUIREMENT
|
PURPOSE
|
DOUBLE COUNTING
|
Year 1
|
WRI 101: Writing Boston
fall or Spring semester, 4 credits
SIM 100: Explore
fall semester, 2 credits
|
Communication essential capability
Engagement with Simmons Communities and with Boston; academic skill-building
|
|
Sophomore or Junior Year
|
SIM 200: Extend
Fall or spring semester, 2 credits
|
Discipline-specific career education; academic skill-building; post-graduation support/planning; careers, graduate school |
|
Any year
|
Key Content Areas (3 courses)
• Artistic, Literary Aesthetic (ALA)
• Global Historical (GH)
•Scientific Inquiry (SCI)
|
Exposure to content across disciplines |
Each KCA may be fulfilled through major/minor course of study (if applicable)
|
| Any year |
KeySkills Areas (5 courses)
•Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ)
•Integrative Learning (IL)
•Leadership (LDR)
•Quantitative Literacy (QL)
•Writing Intensive (WI)
|
Application of skills and knowledge toward social engagement and change |
At least two KSA courses must be taken outside of the student's major |
Exemptions/Alternate Requirement
As of May 2021, all students entering with an AA/AS degree are exempt from all PLAN requirements.
Note: All students must complete a capstone in their major. Capstones are not part of PLAN but are requirements for all majors.
Language Requirement
For incoming students as of Fall 2024 and thereafter:
Incoming undergraduate students are not required to take a language course. The language placement exam is optional and available only to students who are interested in taking Spanish at the undergraduate level.
For students whose first semester was prior to Fall 2024:
All on-the-ground undergraduate students must satisfy the PLAN Language Requirement that was in place at the time of their enrollment. Language exams are still available to students in that category who have not yet taken one and require a placement.
The language requirement is met by one of the following:
The successful completion of the 102 level* in Spanish or French at Simmons University or in any modern language taken through the COF or at another institution with preapproval from the Vice Provost.
(*Completion of the 101 level [or its equivalent] is a prerequisite of the 102 level.)
OR
The successful completion of one GH KCA course AND one DEIJ KSA course taken specifically to fulfill the language requirement.
Students whose first semester was prior to Fall 2024 have already met the Language requirement if:
They have completed the 102 level in any modern language at Simmons University or another accredited academic institution with preapproval.
OR
They have received a 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement modern language exam and transferred that credit to Simmons.
OR
They have placed above the 102 level on their placement exam administered by the Office of Undergraduate Advising.
If students who entered before Fall 2024 have taken or wish to take other equivalent exams, they should consult with Undergraduate Advising (advising@simmons.edu).
The following students (who entered before Fall 2024) are exempt from the PLAN Language Requirement:
-
F-1 Visa international students from non-English-speaking countries
- Students with specific accommodations through the Office of Accessibility Services
Please note the following policies, which apply only to students who entered before Fall 2024:
Students who have taken a language at the 101 level must also take the 102 level in the same language to complete the requirement unless they can demonstrate proficiency at the 102 level in another language through one of the methods listed above. Once students have enrolled in a 101 or 102 level course, they cannot opt to test out of that language.
Students are allowed to take only one placement exam. Students may not retake an exam they have previously taken. If a student takes more than one exam they will be charged for multiple attempts ($15-$30).
The Office of Accessibility Services will continue to work with students with documented disabilities (access@simmons.edu).
Use of translation devices and additional materials is a violation of the Academic Honor Policy. If any major discrepancies are identified between a student’s previous experience in the language and their placement, the student will need to meet with the Dean of the Ifill School or their designee.
The Dean of the Ifill School or their designee reserves the right to make final decisions about placement and whether or not a student has fulfilled the requirement.
Math Competency Requirement
Students will be required to demonstrate competency in mathematics in one of the following ways before they may take a Quantitative Literacy course and certain other courses:
- Place out of MATH 101 by taking the Math Placement Exam (MPE) administered by the Office of Undergraduate Advising no later than the start of their first semester at Simmons.
• The exam must be taken through the online proctoring system.
• Students may take the placement exam no more than 3 times.
- Successfully complete MATH 101 or a higher level mathematics course at Simmons. (Note: enrolling in a higher level course at Simmons without taking the placement exam will require the consent of the instructor and may require other proof of mathematical achievement - e.g. AP, SAT, or ACT exam scores.)
• Present evidence of satisfactory completion at another accredited college of a mathematics
course at the level of MATH 101 or above at the Registrar's Office.
Students must satisfy the math competency requirement during their first year at Simmons. Students who do not place out of the mathematical competency requirement will take either MATH 100 or MATH 101, based on their MPE scores for that year. Students who are placed into MATH 100 or MATH 101 at orientation or who do not meet the math competency requirement in one of the other ways described above must take MATH 100 or MATH 101 in the first semester it is available.