Why Simmons

Simmons University provides the best of many worlds: a close-knit college, a bustling, big-city university and online programs that fit into your life.

A Simmons student talking to a classmate and gesturing with their hands

Purpose Meets Passion

Simmons students, faculty, staff and alumnae/i have never been afraid to lead. Leading by using education to advance social and economic equity is in our DNA.

Every day, each of our students cultivates the competence, confidence, and courage to lead in critical areas such as the health and library sciences, management, communications, and other STEM fields. Because when you're out in front, you realize just how limitless your opportunities are.

A seal for the Carnegie Foundation Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose 2024-2030

Simmons has been recognized with the 2024 Carnegie Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose

This designation recognizes our institutional commitment to the pursuit of leadership and the collective public good.

Read the Announcement

Discover Your Simmons


Whether you are an undergraduate seeking a bachelor's degree or a graduate student looking to advance or change your career, we are committed to providing you with the leadership and skills you need to not only arrive, but thrive in your life's work.

What you bring to Simmons — your interests, your experiences, your voice, your perspective — is what drives our collective progress. And no matter where you are with your own journey, we’ll meet you there.

Simmons students involved in a classroom discussion.  One student is pointing at something in the front of the room.

Simmons for Undergraduate Students

Here you’ll experience our innovative curriculum, which allows you to customize your course of study while you earn your Bachelor's degree. Whether you’re undecided about your major or have already identified your dream career, you’ll find your passion and develop your unique leadership style.

A group of Simmons students taking a selfie during an outdoor celebration.

Undergraduate Student Life

You’ll study and live in our small college environment while enjoying all the resources of a major academic hub. You’ll also have easy access to internship possibilities throughout the city (and beyond)!

Student sitting in class

Simmons for Graduate Students

Our innovative graduate programs allow you to customize your courses of study. You’ll learn through small classes, case-based discussions, experiential learning, research opportunities and seminars.

Students hanging out in the multicultural center

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

We are committed to embracing students from all backgrounds and all forms of human uniqueness. Our undergraduate community welcomes all marginalized genders, including students who live and identify as women or who do not fit into the gender binary, but feel they belong in our women-centered community.

A Simmons student looking over a paper with a member of the faculty.

Our Faculty

Studying at Simmons means you'll work closely with dedicated faculty who are leaders in their fields and mentors in the classroom. They'll support and guide you through your academic journey and beyond, and you'll find there are ample opportunities not only to talk with them and learn from their expertise but also to tackle problems, projects, and research right alongside them.

Meet our faculty

A collage of Simmons alums

Our Alumnae/i

Simmons alumnae/i consistently make their mark on the world by challenging the status quo, breaking down barriers, and helping to create a more just world.

Meet some of our alumnae/i

The Simmons academic campus

Our Campus

As the University changes to meet the evolving needs of our students, we are ensuring that our physical space also meets those needs.

Discover the One Simmons project

Boston city skyline

Our Location

We're right in the heart of Boston, and the city plays a significant role in many of Simmons’ academic and professional offerings. Simmons draws on many of the city’s cultural, historical, economic, scientific, and educational resources to offer an unparalleled student experience.

Experience Boston

What will your Simmons story be?

Amoli Vad ’28 standing in a flower garden

Student in Health and Exercise Science and Physical Therapy Accelerated 3+3 Program Publishes Paper in Peer-Reviewed Journal

Amoli Vad ’28 has published her first paper in a peer-reviewed journal. We spoke with Vad about what inspired her research and why she chose the 3+3 accelerated program at Simmons.


Tristie-Mattea Ortiz ’28, dressed in a daredevil costume

Celebrating Trans Awareness Week with Simmons Undergraduate, Journalist, and Comics Fan

First year student Tristie-Mattea Ortiz ’28 reflects on the benefits of a women’s-centered institution for trans, queer, and nonbinary students.


The words Be Kind written among several photos drawn in chalk on pavement

Simmons Social Work Doctoral Student Awards Kindest Kids in America

Jessie Hansen ’26DSW recently started the program The Kindest Kid in America, which awards young students who are exemplars of kindness. Hansen is a representative of Think Kindness, an organization that aims to promote acts of kindness in school and...


Sage Loyema Innerarity ’25MS

Simmons Library and Information Science Student and Indigenous Archives Enthusiast Receives Mosaic Scholarship

Graduate student Sage Loyema Innerarity ‘25MS, a citizen of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians of California, is the 2024 recipient of the Mosaic Scholarship given by the Society of American Archivists.


The logo for the Institute of Museum and Library Services

Doctoral Candidate Named Acting Director of Institute of Museum and Library Services

Cyndee Landrum, a student in the Simmons University Library and Information Science PhD, was named Acting Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) this March. In honor of Library Card Sign-up Month, we share this interview with Landrum about her studies at Simmons and goals at IMLS.


A row of books in the Simmons University library

Simmons Students Receive American Library Association Spectrum Scholarship

Five students in Simmons School of Library and Information Science were selected among the American Library Association’s 2024-2025 Spectrum Scholars.


Heidi HyunJin Lee and GBH’s Morning Edition co-host Paris Alston

Simmons Masters in Social Work Student Interviewed for GBH's Wake Up Well

Heidi HyunJin Lee was interviewed by GBH’s Morning Edition co-host Paris Alston for Wake Up Well, a segment focused on mental health.


Three shelves full of books in the Simmons University library

SLIS Student and Alumni Win Law Library Internship

School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) alum Mary Hogan l’85MS and SLIS student Hannah Gershone have been selected for the Summer 2024 Creative Digital Projects Internship at the Law Library of Congress.


Simmons Alums in the News

Three piles of books with sticky notes hanging out between the pages.

From Mock Printz to the Real Deal: Simmons Dual Degree Student Shares Her Awards Committee Experience

Elena McVicar ’11MA/MS shares her experience serving on the 2021 Printz Award Committee, and how her Simmons studies uniquely prepared her to work in the Children's Literature field.


Elizaabeth Carr ’04

Alumna Shares Journey from “Miracle” Birth to Fertility Advocacy

For Elizabeth Carr ’04, the first IVF baby born in the United States, fertility education constitutes empowerment and advocacy. She spoke with us about her widely publicized birth, new historical memoir, and formative experience at Simmons.


A small child eating a piece of toast.

Nutrition Alum Receives Award for Article

Jennifer Lerman ’09, who was a Dix Scholar and studied Nutrition and Dietetics at Simmons, received the 39th annual Huddleson Award for the article, “Evaluation of the Healthy Eating Index-Toddlers-2020” which was featured in the Journal of the Academy of...


Leslie Calderone ’11MS in the Whitehouse

Archives Management Alumna Preserves Behind the Scenes Life at the White House

Leslie Calderone '11MS is the Director of the Digital Library for the White House Historical Association, a small non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the White House. Calderone shares some of her favorite images of life in the White House, both formal and behind the scenes.


Student in the stacks

Library and Information Science Alum Appointed to Association of Research Libraries

SLIS alum Marcel LaFlamme ’08MS has been appointed Director of Research Policy and Scholarship of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL).


A gallery in the Eric Carle Museum

Children’s Literature Alumna Receives Mentor Award at 2024 Carle Honors

On September 26, Elissa Gershowitz ’00MA, Editor-in-Chief of The Horn Book, received a Mentor Award at the Carle Honors ceremony in New York City. Bestowed by The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art these annual awards celebrate individuals and organizations who have elevated the art of children’s picture-book making.


The logo of The Boston Globe Horn Book Awards

Simmons Children’s Lit Alum on Judging the Horn Book Awards

Rodney Fierce ’12MA, a Humanities Teacher at Sonoma Academy, shares what led him to study children’s literature, his work at the Academy, and his recent experience on the Horn Book Awards Committee.


Shelves full of children's books. Photo by Zoshua Colah on Unsplash.

Children’s and English Literature Alumna Named Agent of the Month

Amy Thrall Flynn 95’MA, ’21MA, Senior Literary Agent of Aevitas Creative Management, has been named “Agent of the Month” (for October 2024) by Writing and Illustrating, a blog devoted to children’s literature authors and illustrators.


Simmons University Main College Building in the fall

Our Mission and History

For over 120 years, Simmons has put the needs of our students first. Through an education that combines intellectual leadership with professional preparation, we help students lead meaningful lives and build successful careers for the 21st century.

Explore our history

President Lynn Perry Wooten standing on stairs.

Our Leadership Team

Accessible and accountable, our administration leads by example. And we hold firm to one purpose: to work for you.

Meet our leadership team