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A variety of programs and opportunities allow students to pursue specific academic, professional, and life goals at Simmons, or at one of our affiliated colleges or universities in Boston, elsewhere in the United States, and abroad.

Intersession Learning

Watch the 2012 World Challenge video

Simmons offers two intercession learning programs in which students go above and beyond, using their own time to make change. Each January, the Simmons World Challenge brings students to campus prior to the spring semester. Together they tackle a world challenge such as hunger or poverty, coming up with solutions and suggestions based on intensive research and collaboration. Students can also join Alternative Spring Break, and travel within the United States to build houses with Habitat for Humanity. Past trip destinations include Harrisburg, PA, St. Petersburg, FL, Hattiesburg, MS, and Pittsburgh, PA.

Academic Specialization

Integrated Undergrad/Graduate Programs

Our integrated undergraduate-to-graduate programs allow undergraduate students to pursue advanced degrees at Simmons or one of our affiliated colleges or universities. Most integrated programs take five or six years, and generally allow students to earn their graduate degrees in less time than traditional programs. Simmons is also happy to offer several 3+1 programs, which allows students to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in four years.

Honors Program

Designed for highly motivated students, the Honors Program offers an enriched curriculum through small seminars, team-taught courses, study abroad opportunities, research projects, and/or internships. The program includes co-curricular activities both on campus and in the Boston area, with faculty-led trips to the theater, film festivals, museums, and lectures throughout the year.

Dix Scholars Program for Adult Students

The Dorothea Lynde Dix Scholars program, designed for women who are 24 years or older, provides adult women with the opportunity to benefit from the unique combination of liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional study that Simmons undergraduate programs offer.

Advanced Degree Preparation

Pre-Law Advising

Simmons offers pre-professional advising for students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in law.

Pre-Med Program

Simmons offers an accredited pre-medical program as preparation for careers in dentistry, medicine, optometry, podiatry, or veterinary medicine.

Professional Preparation

Internships and Fieldwork

As part of their independent learning requirement (at least eight credits), Simmons students participate in internships, fieldwork, and other forms of independent study. Many Simmons students intern at Boston's world-renowned research and teaching hospitals, businesses, museums, and schools. Others pursue professional research projects. All develop skills, confidence, and perspective.

Barbara Lee Fellowship Program

The Barbara Lee Fellowship Program seeks to give young women exposure to, and education in, the nuts and bolts of Massachusetts' political leadership through practical experience, thereby increasing the number of young women who enter the pipeline of political leadership. Each year, selected students from all majors who participate in the eight-credit internship receive a stipend and a placement with a female state legislator.

Success Connection Program

Success Connection is a unique job-shadowing and mentoring opportunity that matches seniors with highly accomplished Simmons alumnae for onsite mentoring and job shadowing in some of the most dynamic work environments in the country. Mentors are typically executive level alumnae and/or members of the Simmons Leadership Council. Recent internships have been at Hearst Magazines International, CNN Productions, Lantern Financial, and the Federal Labor Relations Authority, among many others.

Women in Materials Program

The Women in Materials (WIM) program at Simmons is designed to enhance undergraduate coursework for science majors or pre-med (including dental or veterinarian) students. WIM students take materials science courses, participate in research with faculty, and use sophisticated instruments in order to prepare for graduate study, medical school, or careers in high-tech industry and areas of medical research.

Local, Domestic, and International Study

Study Abroad

Many Simmons students spend a summer, semester, or year in academic programs overseas. In addition, Simmons offers an exciting range of courses that typically take place during spring semester and culminate in four weeks of intensive study abroad under the direction of Simmons faculty. Short-term international courses provide unique opportunities to study topics such as chemistry in China, sustainability in Iceland, Spanish in Argentina, or history and civilization in Japan.

Service-Learning Courses

Simmons has a rich history of service to the community. Today, our faculty, staff, and students participate in community service as well as service learning projects, locally and internationally. Service-learning is a teaching method that combines community service with academic instruction. At Simmons, service-learning is integrated in a wide range of disciplines.

Colleges of the Fenway

Through the Colleges of the Fenway academic collaboration, Simmons students may cross-register for classes and participate in social activities at five other colleges in our neighborhood: Emmanuel College, Massachusetts College of Art, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wentworth Institute of Technology, and Wheelock College.

Domestic Exchanges

Simmons offers domestic exchanges with American University's Washington Semester Program in Washington, D.C.; Belmont University or Fisk College in Nashville, Tennessee; Mills College in Oakland, California; and Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Talk with your advisor if you would like to participate in the domestic exchange program.

ROTC

Simmons students may participate in Air Force or Army ROTC programs hosted by neighboring academic institutions.