Health Sciences
Preparing the Future Leaders of Healthcare
A Simmons education prepares you for leadership in your career, a commitment to social justice principles, and engagement in meaningful work.
Simmons students and educators find inspiration at the intersection of life and science—cultivating the innovative practices and procedures needed to advance our scientific future and save lives. Our faculty are leaders in their fields and pride themselves on being personal mentors. You’ll work with them to master the fundamentals and put that knowledge into practice through handson learning in our state-of-the-art labs.
Situated in the heart of Boston, the Simmons campus is surrounded by world-renowned teaching hospitals and research facilities—like Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital. Our students are sought after for clinical rotations, research projects, and employment opportunities with leading experts in the industry.
The Simmons Advantage
• More than 850 clinical and community partners across all programs
• Small, interactive classes that facilitate strong student/faculty and peer-to-peer connections
• Close proximity to the worldrenowned Longwood Medical Area in the heart of historic Boston
• A science building that houses a state-of-the-art 11,000 square foot, 30-bed simulation center that includes high-fidelity OB/GYN, pediatric, emergency room, intensive critical care, medical/surgical, and home health suites
• Accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health assures quality in public health education to promote excellence in practice, research, and service.
• 88.7% first-time pass rate on the PT exam (2023-2024), 94.6% ultimate pass rate
• 98.6% pass rate on the Registered Dietitian (RD) Exam
• Long, consistent record of campus graduates exceeding the average BCBA® first-time pass rate; in 2021, graduates scored 15 points above the national average
• Flexible program offering for the Master of Science in Nutrition and Health Promotion with both online and on-campus options
• Nutrition partnerships with dietetic internship programs at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Wellness Workdays, Be Well Solutions, and more
Behavior Analysis
• Master of Science in Behavior Analysis (MS)**
• Educational Specialist (EdS)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)**
Public Health
• Master of Public Health (MPH)**
Nutrition and Dietetics
• Master of Science (MS) in Nutrition and Health Promotion**
• Sports Nutrition Certificate (CSN)**
• Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Certificate
• Dietetic Internship Program (DIP)
Physical Therapy
• Physical Therapy (DPT)
simmons.edu/graduate
Learn more about our other graduate programs including our Nursing, Library and Information Science, and Social Work!
Behavior Analysis Degrees and Programs
MS or EdS
There are two degree options that students may pursue at our Boston campus—the Master of Science in Behavior Analysis and the Educational Specialist in Behavior Analysis. The MS degree program meets the educational needs of students who hold a bachelor’s degree and are seeking a master’s degree. The EdS degree program is an advanced graduate degree that provides students who currently hold a master’s degree with an area of educational specialization. The entire program of study for either degree can be completed in 20 months and requires the completion of the same 40 credits and a thesis research project. The campus degree program is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International.
MS (Online)
Simmons also offers an online Master of Science in Behavior Analysis degree Students complete weekly asynchronous coursework online and complete synchronous live classes with faculty and peers. The online degree can be completed in as few as 20 months and requires the completion of 40 credits and a thesis research project.
Prerequisites and Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree
PhD (Online)
• The PhD in Behavior Analysis program is a 48-credit doctoral program designed to train and position qualified
behavior analysts to make significant contributions to the science and practice of behavior analysis. The PhD program focuses on developing skills required to design, conduct, interpret, and disseminate behavior analytic research. Students are assigned to a doctoral research lab, and work with their faculty advisor to complete their dissertation. Live online classes allow students across the country to join our program and collaborate in real time with peers and faculty.
Prerequisites and Requirements
• Master’s degree in behavior analysis or a related field
• Licensed and/or certified to clinically practice as a behavior analyst or substantial experience in select behavior analytic practice areas
• Research experience preferred
Public Health Degrees and Programs
MPH (Online)
The Master of Public Health curriculum consists of 42 credit hours that can be completed in the 24-month traditional masters or the 15-month accelerated masters program. The curriculum includes 9 core courses, one elective, and a practicum experience. With multiple opportunities to customize their MPH degree, students can develop content expertise in their area of passion and make an impact on the issues that matter most to them. Through community-embedded experiences, immersion courses, and a culminating Health Equity Change Project, students are prepared for a career in public health that addresses the underlying causes of health disparities and health inequities.
Prerequisites and Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree
• At least one college-level math course (statistics preferred)
Nutrition and Dietetics Degrees and Programs
Nutrition (MS) (On Campus or Online)
Our Master of Science in Nutrition and Health Promotion program helps students develop an advanced understanding of nutrition, fitness, and wellness. The program can be completed in one academic year including one summer session, or in two to four years of part-time study (for US students only). The program requires 31 to 32 credits depending on the concentration and elective choices. On-campus classes are offered in the evening with some individual courses offered online, and our online program offers fully online courses.
Tracks
Students customize their plan of study by choosing one of two tracks or concentrations: the Research track or the Entrepreneurship track. Students pursuing the online degree have access to the same courses and opportunities to customize their program as students in the on-campus program.
The Research track is designed for students interested in research and nutrition epidemiology. The curriculum culminates with the completion of a thesis research project.
The Entrepreneurship track is for students interested in starting their own business in the food and nutrition field. The curriculum includes courses from the Simmons School of Business and culminates with the completion of a business plan.
Prerequisites and Requirements
• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science
• Inorganic Chemistry with a lab
• Organic Chemistry with a lab
• Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs
• Introductory Nutrition
• Introduction to Community Nutrition
• Introductory Biochemistry
• Introductory Statistics
Sports Nutrition Certificate (CSN) (Online)
The Certificate in Sports Nutrition enables health and wellness experts to expand their area of practice, combining nutrition and exercise knowledge to build competence in personal training and fitness. Our flexible online program may be completed in one to two years — allowing you to plan your courses around your schedule. You’ll be prepared for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health/Fitness Instructors Exam, graduate school and career opportunities. The CSN can be combined with the MS in Nutrition and Health Promotion and/or the Didactic Program in Dietetics.
Prerequisites and Requirements
• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science
• Human anatomy and physiology (two semesters with labs)
• Fundamentals of nutrition OR Introduction to nutrition (one semester)
Didactic Program in Dietetics Certificate (DPD)
Our Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Certificate, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, fulfills the didactic component necessary to become a registered dietitian. affililiated with most Boston area Dietetic Internships, students learn to improve the eating behaviors, health, and quality of life of our culturally diverse population. The DPD can be combined with the MS in Nutrition and Health Promotion and/or the Sports Nutrition Certificate. The certificate can be completed in 1-2 years depending on previous coursework. Courses taken prior to enrollment at Simmons can be transferred in with approval.
Prerequisites
• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science
Dietetic Internship Program (DIP) Certificate
Our Dietetic Internship Program is a graduate certificate in dietetics and is intended for students pursuing the registered dietitian/nutritionist credential who hold an undergraduate degree and have completed the didactic course requirements from an accredited program as required by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. Our students benefit from rotations in acute care, food service, public health, community health, state government-based or non-profit nutrition, counseling and education and research and professional practice. The dietetic internship has a community concentration and is one of only two dietetic internships in the nation with an eating disorder concentration. Students have two options for completing the internship:
The Stand-Alone track is a 35-week program that includes all supervised practice hours and one course that may be applied for graduate credit. Students have the option of applying to any of our graduate programs, but admission for any additional programs is separate.
Students in the Master of Science in Nutrition and Health Promotion + Dietetic Internship Program (MSDI) track complete both the Master’s in Nutrition and Health Promotion and the dietetic internship over a two-year period (five semesters, including one summer). In this track, students will need to complete all supervised practice and master’s requirements before they may be issued a verification statement. Students complete the Master’s in Nutrition and Health Promotion and choose either the Research or the Entrepreneurship track.
Prerequisites and Requirements
• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science
• Completion of DPD certificate or other program in which student obtained of verification statement of required content
Find out more about nutrition and dietetics courses, curriculum, faculty, and program details.
Physical Therapy Degree and Program
Physical Therapy (DPT)
Our Doctor of Physical Therapy program is a 99-credit, three-year, fulltime program designed for individuals who have completed three years of undergraduate work at Simmons or hold a bachelor’s degree from another institution.
Students attend expert-led lectures, advance their technique in the skills laboratory in brand-new lab spaces, and participate in small-group discussions focused on clinical practice. Updated physical therapy spaces include a faculty research lab and two teaching labs.
We partner with Harvard Medical School to teach gross human anatomy utilizing cadaver dissection providing a rich and comprehensive foundation for our physical therapy students to build upon.
Students build their skills during fulltime clinical internships, which are carefully selected to give students the opportunity to be mentored by experienced clinical practitioners in a variety of patient populations.
Simmons University Physical Therapy Association (SUPTA)
SUPTA is the student-led governing body of the Simmons University DPT program. This organization provides current and former Simmons DPT students with networking opportunities and information about events at Simmons as well as in the surrounding area.
LibGuides
This guide connects physical therapy students directly to a wide variety of physical therapy resources to support
your clinical and research needs. simmons.libguides.com/physicaltherapy
Prerequisites and Requirements
• Bachelor of arts or bachelor of science
• Exercise physiology (one semester, no lab required)
• Biology (one semester with a lab)
• Chemistry (two semesters with labs)
• Physics (two semesters with labs)
• Human anatomy and physiology (two semesters with labs)
• Statistics (one semester)
• Psychology (two semesters)
• Prerequisite courses must have been completed within 10 years prior to the application deadline, a maximum of two prerequisites may have been retaken
• A minimum of 30 observation hours
World-Class Health Science Facilities
A Campus That Works
The One Simmons project is a comprehensive update and modernization of nearly all of our campus facilities and buildings to suit the needs of today’s students and our future.
Many of our buildings on campus were renovated within the past two years to include colorful, accessible spaces for students to live, study, and work in.
New Science Classrooms and Labs
Nutrition has a commercial kitchen lab with seven cooking stations. The behavior analysis program in collaboration with psychology has eight testing rooms and one teaching lab.
Students and faculty innovate together in a state-of-the-art lab facility that includes a 30-bed Nursing Simulation Center, natural science labs, and an exercise physiology lab. We are educating the next generation of leaders in the health sciences by giving you access to the same state-of-the-art equipment used in clinical settings.
The Living and Learning Center
The final stage of the One Simmons project is the construction of the living and learning center. When completed in 2026, this new tower will provide a contemporary and elegant 1,100-bed residence, dining facility, and athletic center. The LLC will provide a variety of opportunities for wellness, events, community-building, and lasting connections in a space that is more conducive to the needs of today’s students.
Professors Who Practice What They Teach
Our faculty are thought leaders and award winners, researchers and professionals in their field. They pride themselves on being personal mentors. You’ll work with them to master the fundamentals and put that knowledge into practice through hands-on learning in our state-of-the-art labs.
Their research, scholarship, and experience cover a wide range of issues, including:
• Health policy
• Psychiatric mental health
• Pediatric/adolescent concussions
• Public health nursing and environmental health
• Maternal-child nutrition issues among low-income women and their children
• Creating inclusive learning environments for health professions
• Health promotion and disease prevention
• Underlying causes of child obesity
• Biomechanics of movement in children and adolescents with chronic pain
Students come to Behavior Analysis at Simmons because of our reputation for focusing on the science of behavior, and consequently, the program opens their eyes to the full scope of the field, and all the ways they can apply behavior analysis.”
RUSSELL MAGUIRE, PH.D., BCBA-D, LABA, ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS
Teaching at Simmons in the musculoskeletal sequence of the physical therapy program allows me to share my past and current clinical experiences with students in the classroom.”
JUSTIN JONES, DPT, MSPT PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE AND CHAIR OF THE PHYSICAL THERAPY DEPARTMENT
As a student at Simmons, I always felt that the faculty were preparing me to be their future colleague as a registered dietitian with their topnotch, cutting-edge training. Now, as a faculty member, I strive to offer my students that same respect and quality of education”
LISA BROWN, PHD PROFESSOR, NUTRITION COCHAIR, AND DIRECTOR OF THE DIETETIC INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Experiential Learning and Clinicals
Boston-based students have access to more than 850 clinical training sites, including world-class institutions like Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, VA Boston Healthcare System, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Nutrition
Nutrition students complete supervised practice rotations in clinical/acute care (11 weeks), food service (4 weeks), community placement (16 weeks), and professional practice (1-2 weeks). Interns accepted into the concentration on treatment of eating disorders will spend approximately 12 weeks in specialty rotations that serve clients in treatment for an eating disorder.
Physical Therapy
Our location in Boston’s medical area creates student training opportunities at some of the nation’s best hospitals and clinics. These experiences provide students with opportunities for clinical observation and developing skills in working with patients throughout the lifespan and in a variety of settings along the continuum of care.
Public Health
The Health Equity Change Project (HECP) is the culminating learning experience of the Simmons MPH program and satisfies the Applied Practice Experience (practicum) and the Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) required of Master of Public Health programs. The HECP evolves over the final several terms of the MPH program
ELEANOR POWELL ‘22DPT “
Simmons allowed me to have opportunities to be a leader in my graduate fieldwork. In the physical therapy program, I was able to build my careerbased leadership skills throughout my clinical rotations, including at the Boston College Campus School and Boston Children’s Hospital.”
Licensing Pass Rates
Behavior Analysis
We take pride in a long, consistent record of campus graduates exceeding the average BCBA® first-time pass rate. In 2021, graduates scored 15 points above the national average.
Nutrition
98.6% pass rate on the Registered Dietitian (RD) Exam.
Physical Therapy
88.2% first time pass rate on the PT exam (2021-2022), 100% ultimate pass rate.
Jobs After Graduation
Alumnae/i of our health science graduate programs go on to work in a variety of locations including:
• The Active Workplace
• Boston Children’s Hospital
• Concord OB/GYN Associates
• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
• Brigham and Women’s Hospital
• Boston Children’s Hospital
• Massachusetts General Hospital
• The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
• Spaulding Rehabilitation
Resources
On Campus and Online
REEF Center
The REEF Support Center acts as a support hub for undergraduate, graduate, and online students. REEF refers to Resilience, Efficacy, and Empowerment through Foundational support services. We centralize student resources by offering foundational support specific to food access, housing access and offcampus living, emergency funding, as well as our Violence Prevention, Education, and Outreach program.
Career Education Center
The Career Education Center (CEC) is here to empower all Simmons students and alums with the expertise, skills, and resources to engage in, access, and explore diverse opportunities for their life’s work, integrating their passion with their purpose in meaningful careers. Our staff coach undergraduate students, graduate students, and alums.
The Office of Accessibility Services
The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) is a strategy-based service that supports students in their academic endeavors both on the ground and online. We provide resources for students in need of accommodations, including (but not limited to) extra time on exams, notetaking software, and various residential and dining accommodations.
Student Support
• Counseling Services
• Gym and Health Center
• Student Services One Stop
• Writing Center
Boston
Simmons is located right next door to the Longwood Medical Area, home to worldrenowned medical and academic institutions including the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, and more. Many of Simmons’ clinical and research partnerships are possible because of our location, which provides opportunities to place students and graduates on the frontlines of healthcare.
Fenway Park
Shops at Landmark Center
Whole Foods
Museum of Fine Arts
Huntington Avenue
Boylston Street
The Fens
Longwood Medical Area
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Student Ambassadors
Student ambassadors are available to prospective students to showcase the Simmons experience. They can provide personal insights and answer questions about being a student, perspectives on campus life, academic opportunities and resources, and extracurricular activities, and much more.
Simmons offered something that no other school did. They were extremely unique in their individualized programs and investment into their students; they sought to treat their students, and even their applicants, as so much more than a number on a list. ”
ISABELLA CARLOS ’24DPT
Tuition, Fees, and Scholarships
We believe that we are at our best when our students are first, and work to educate you on financial options and empower you to make financing decisions that work for you. We know that you’re looking for the education that will offer the best payoff for you in the long run. At Simmons, you’ll reap the rewards of your investment from day one
Graduate tuition is charged per credit. Each year the per-credit fee is reviewed and potentially adjusted. Each semester carries an additional student activity fee. DPT students also pay a laboratory fee for their first summer term course. All admitted students are reviewed for merit scholarships which can range from $10,000 to $50,000. Scholarships are decided upon at the same time as admission and are spread evenly across the time of study.
Application Requirements
Behavior Analysis
Master of Science in Behavior Analysis (MS or EdS)
• Completed online application
• Current résumé
• Statement of purpose
• Two academic or professional letters of recommendation
• Official college transcripts from every college or university attended. Must include degree conferral.
• TOEFL scores, if applicable
• A $75 nonrefundable application fee
Master of Science in Behavior Analysis (MS) Online
• Completed online application
• Current résumé
• Essay explaining your reasons for pursuing a Master of Science in Behavior Analysis, including a discussion of the intellectual and professional goals you hope to achieve
• Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended
• Two letters of recommendation from professional or academic references
• TOEFL or IELTS scores, if applicable
• Nonrefundable application fee of $75
• GRE scores are not required for admission, but will be accepted if the applicant chooses to submit them
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Must be licensed and/or certified in the country where they clinically practice
• 2 years of experience in the following practice areas:
• Experimental Analysis of Behavior
• Organizational Behavior Management
• Animal training
• Translational research
• Behavioral Medicine
• Research experience is preferred
Public Health
Master of Public Health (MPH) Online
• Completed online application
• Current résumé
• Essay describing your interest and experience in public health, an inequity you have observed, and your short- and long-term career goals
• Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended
• Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic references
• TOEFL or IELTS scores, if applicable
• Nonrefundable application fee of $50
Nutrition and Dietetics
Master of Science (MS) in Nutrition and Health Promotion On Campus or Online
• Completed online application
• Personal statement
• Current résumé
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended
• If applicable, additional requirements for international students
Sports Nutrition Certificate (CSN) Online
• Complete application
• Personal statement
• Current résumé
• Letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended
Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Certificate
• Completed online application
• Personal statement
• Current résumé
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended
• If applicable, additional requirements for international students
Dietetic Internship Program (DIP)
• Completed online application
• Personal statement
• Current résumé
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended
• Verification of Completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics approved by ACEND
• Supplemental video uploaded with the application materials.
• If applicable, additional requirements for international students
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy (DPT)
• Minimum of 30 hours of physical therapy experience verified by a liscensed PT using the PTCAS format
• If a student is unable to document a minimum of 30 observation hours, they can submit a personal essay that is less than 500 words
• Completed online application on PTCAS
• Simmons essay and PTCAS essay
• Three letters of recommendation
• Should include a recommendation from an instructor, a practicing physical therapist and a professional)
• Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended
• Verified observation hours
• If applicable, additional requirements for international students
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115-5898
Phone: 617-521-2605
Email: sshp-admission@simmons.edu
simmons.edu/graduate simmons.edu/sshp
simmonsuniversity
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Title IX
Simmons University prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the University’s Title IX Coordinator. Please see the University’s Notice of NonDiscrimination (simmons.edu/go/nondiscrimination) for information on how to report concerns or questions relating to sex discrimination.