Nursing Degree Options : School of Health Sciences : Simmons College

The School for Health Studies offers a post-Master's Doctorate in Nursing Practice(DNP) with three tracks as well as many options leading to a M.S. in Nursing degree. Our master's program has tracks for nurses with a B.S. in nursing, for nurse practitioners, for diploma and associate degree nurses, and for individuals who have education and professional experience in a different field altogether. Most tracks offer flexible schedules, with opportunities for full-time or part-time study. All M.S. in Nursing concentrations share a core of courses in scholarly inquiry, research, and clinical practice, critical to success in the advanced practice role.

M.S. in Nursing for Baccalaureate-Prepared Nurses
Direct-Entry Program for Non-nurses
R.N. to M.S. Diploma and Associate Degree Nurses
M.S. in Nursing for Practicing Nurse Practitioners
Dual-degree Program with Harvard School of Public Health- Occupational Health
Dual-degree Program with Harvard School of Public Health- Maternal/Child Health
Post-Master's Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.)
Post-Master's Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.) Health Professions Education
Post-Master's Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.) Occupational Health
Post-master's Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study(C.A.G.S.) Oncology
Doctorate in Nursing Practice

Master of Science in Nursing: General Tracks (for all students)

Adult Primary Health Care

This track prepares students for the adult nurse practitioner exam and offers additional specialization in gerontological, occupational, or womens' health. The program can typically be completed in two years of full-time study, or three to four years of part-time study.
Learn more >

Parent-Child Primary Health Care

This track trains students as advanced-practice nurses through concentrations in general pediatrics, special health care needs of children and adolescents, pediatric health, or school health. Graduates are prepared for primary nurse practitioner or school nurse practitioner certification exams offered by the appropriate professional credentialing organization. This program typically requires two years of full-time study, or three to four years of part-time study.
Learn more >

Family Primary Health Care

This track provides individual sequences for nurse practitioners who have different levels of experience and certification, training them as family nurse practitioners who are uniquely positioned to address family health care needs in a comprehensive, holistic manner. The program can be completed in three years of full-time study, or four to five years of part-time study. In addition, a unique program of study allows the masters-prepared practicing nurse practitioner to complete a course of part-time study to qualify for the American Nurses Association family nurse practitioner exam.
Learn more >

Specialized M.S. in Nursing Degree Options

Direct-Entry Program (for non-nursing backgrounds)

The direct-entry Program in Advanced Practice Nursing is designed for individuals who have a college degree but no nursing experience. The program includes 18 months of pre-licensure curriculum leading to R.N. licensure, followed by 18 months of master's level courses and clinical fieldwork leading to eligibility for nurse practitioner certification. Students may pursue the second part of the program on a part-time basis, taking up to two-and-a-half years to complete the master's component.
Learn more >

M.S. in Nursing for Diploma or Associate Degree Nurses

The R.N. to M.S. in Nursing Program is a unique curriculum designed for diploma and associate degree registered nurses who wish to obtain a graduate degree in nursing within a nurse practitioner specialty concentration. The program is individually designed and paced to allow the student to complete the program in three to four years once the prerequisite courses are met.
Learn more >

M.S. in Nursing for Practicing Nurse Practitioners

This program is designed for currently active nurse practitioners who wish to expand their nursing skills through graduate education.
Learn more >

Dual-Degree Programs

In collaboration with the Harvard School of Public Health, Simmons offers two dual-degree programs. Students enroll in both schools simultaneously for two academic years, plus an additional summer session at Simmons. Applicants must meet admission and funding requirements for both institutions.

M.S. in Nursing/M.S. in Environmental (Occupational) Health

This program prepares students as occupational health nurse practitioners who are trained in epidemiology and occupational health research, leadership, and policy development. Fieldwork sites include industrial settings, clinics, and hospital-based occupational health programs.
Learn more >

M.S. in Nursing/M.S. in Maternal and Child Health

This program prepares students as pediatric, school health, and obstetric/gynecologic nurse practitioners who are trained for leadership roles in public and private agencies, including youth, women's, and school health programs.
Learn more >

Post-Master's Programs (C.A.G.S.)

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.)

Simmons offers C.A.G.S. for individuals who have an M.S. in nursing and wish to further enhance their clinical and academic skills. Current C.A.G.S. programs include preparation for the nurse practitioner exam and — for adult and pediatric nurse practitioners — preparation for the American Nurses Association family nurse practitioner exam. These individualized programs of study can be completed through full-time or part-time study. Due to visa restrictions, part-time study is an option only for U.S. students and permanent resident aliens only.
Learn more >

C.A.G.S. in Health Professions Education

This program offers post-master's prepared health professionals (health care administrators, nurses, nutritionists, and physical therapists) with recent clinical experience within the past three years, the opportunity to gain critical skills in educational strategies and technology.
Learn more >

C.A.G.S. in Occupational Health

This program is designed for nurse practitioners with national certification in adult or family primary care nursing who would like to change their clinical focus to occupational health. This program prepares students to work in a variety of clinical settings including employee health centers; free standing occupational health outsourced clinics, onsite clinics in industry and to provide occupational health services within a primary care setting.
Learn more >

C.A.G.S. in Oncology

This post-master's certificate program will prepare students to meet the challenges of providing innovative and sensitive care to oncology patients throughout various health care settings. A theoretical foundation will be enhanced with evolving treatments. Graduates of the program will meet the criteria to become certified as Adult Oncology Registered Nurse Practitioners(CRNP) as well as national certification as an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse(AOCN).
Learn more>

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program will develop nursing leaders who will improve health care outcomes in clinical practice, nursing leadership/management and nursing education. Graduates will have the clinical, organizational, research and leadership skills to meet the changing demands of the present and future health care system. The DNP is a practice-focused program analogous to professional degrees in other disciplines, including entry-level degrees (e.g., Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Dental Surgery, Doctor of Pharmacy) and advanced practice degrees (e.g., Doctor of Psychology). Learn more>