Candidates must hold a master's degree or higher academic degree from an accredited U.S. institution. Candidates must hold either Adult or Family Nurse Practitioner certifications to be eligible.

If you require a student visa (F-1), you must be accepted to an academic program and be enrolled full time. This program is part time during part of the sequence. The program requires students to complete a specific curriculum in a particular sequence and non degree status is not possible.

This certificate program will prepare you for a clinical position in occupational health in a variety of settings including the free-standing occupational health clinic, hospital-based clinics, and in industry settings. The core foundation of this program will emphasize hazard identification and risk reduction practices in addition to clinical skills development.

The program consists of 6 courses, totaling 16 credit hours to be completed over 2 semesters. The curriculum includes 4 courses taken at Harvard School of Public Health and 2 taken at Simmons College along with 8 hours of clinical per week for 2 semesters.

Depending on the flexibility of your work schedule you may be able to work full time, but classes and clinical placements are general during the daytime. It would be more realistic, especially in the second semester to work part-time.

The curriculum is designed to be completed in two semesters over 9 months.

You will be able to take 2 courses in the September semester and up to 4 courses in the January semester.

Courses will be offered in specific sequence so entry to the program is September only. Students enter the program as a cohort group.
You can arrange to work with a clinical mentor at an occupational health clinic either in a hospital, a free-standing Occupational clinic or as part of a workplace occupational clinic. The practicum will include both clinical supervision and classroom teaching.

The program begins each September and the application deadline is June 1.

You must complete and submit an application along with a check for $50 for application processing as well as other materials outlined in the application. Official academic transcripts for all completed courses and degrees must be sent directly by the institution to the Office of Admission for the School of Health Sciences. Recommendations must be sent in signed and sealed envelopes to the Office of Admission of the School of Health Sciences. It is very important that the materials are not addressed generally to the Office of Admission since there are five admission offices at Simmons. If courses were completed at institutions other than where the degree was earned, an official transcript must be sent for those classes, whether they were for non-degree status or study abroad.

If courses and /or a degree were earned abroad, official academic records in the native language and an official English translation (if applicable) by someone other than the applicant or family member are required. Additionally, an evaluation of the overseas documents to determine U.S. equivalency may be required by a commercial agency at a cost to the student. Only overseas degrees from an institution authorized by the ministry of education in the home country will be considered for admission. All materials must be received by the June 1 deadline date. This date is not postmark date.

The only standardized test score which must be submitted is the TOEFL(Test of English as a Foreign Language)for candidates whose first language is not English, even if the candidate attended an English-speaking institution. The requirement for TOEFL is based on native language, not citizenship or attendance at an English-speaking institution. Official scores from the past two years must be sent directly by the educational testing Service (ETS) to the Office of Admission of the School of Health Sciences. Student score reports or photo copies of score reports for other institutions are not considered official. Allow ample time to register and take this exam as it takes 5-6 weeks for the score to be received by institutions. Minimum TOEFL scores for consideration: 570(paper based), 230(computer based) and 88(internet based).

Admission is based on several factors, including professional experience, previous academic performance (a 3.0 GPA in graduate study is required), and recommendations. Candidates must have a master's degree.

When your application for admission is complete, you will be notified via email that all materials have been received and the file will be reviewed by the Admission Committee. You should receive a letter from the Office of Admission regarding your candidacy around after the application deadline of June 1. Accepted students who wish to enroll must submit a non-refundable enrollment deposit by the designated date to ensure a place in the class of a specific semester. Admission is for a particular start term and is not open-ended. If a student cannot start the program for the intended semester, it is imperative that the student request in writing to the Director of Admission of the School of Health Sciences a deferral to start the program in another semester. Enrollment is available for September only.

Non-degree status is not available since this is a formal certificate program, based on a specific sequential curriculum. Students must formally apply for and be admitted to the program. Since an official certificate will be awarded upon completion of the prescribed curriculum, it is considered an academic credential and thus formal application and admission is required.

The total cost of the program is $8,500.

Contact Dr. Susan Duty (susan.duty@simmons.edu)