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» Nursing

The Primary Health Care Nursing program at Simmons seeks men and women with diverse nursing experience and areas of interest. In general, applicants with a nursing background are required to have an undergraduate degree in nursing ( R.N.s with certificates, diplomas,or associate degrees may also apply)from an accredited U.S. institution of higher education, professional nursing license to practice in the U.S. and eligibility for licensure in Massachusetts, and the equivalent of one year of recent (within the last five years) full-time clinical nursing experience. Nursing applicants must have completed statistics within the previous ten years in order to apply.Applicants to the Direct Entry nursing program must have a bachelor's degree in any academic discipline from an accredited U.S. institution of higher education or an overseas post-secondary institution recognized by the country's Ministry of Education. The Direct-Entry Program in Advanced Nursing Practice is designed for individuals who have a bachelor's degree but no nursing experience.Applicants to the Direct Entry nursing program must have completed certain prerequisites in the previous ten years.

NOTE: Information on this and other pages of the SHS web site are subject to change without notice. Be certain to re-visit this section before you apply to determine if any changes have occurred since your last viewing.

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All students, except for direct-entry students, must declare their concentration upon enrollment. Students who later wish to change their field of study should consult their faculty adviser.

Applying

Applicants are responsible for submitting complete application packets by the application deadlines. Direct Entry nursing applicants must submit the downloadable application. Applicants to all other nursing program options may either submit an online application(available by an outside vendor) or the downloadable application. In either case, applicants are responsible for mailing (or submitting online) complete application packets to the SHS Office of Admission. Each applicant packet must include the appropriate application, a non-refundable application fee,an application check-list, an essay, resume, Certificate of Finances Form(for non-U.S. citizens), recommendation forms in signed/sealed envelopes and official academic transcripts in signed/sealed envelopes from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended whether or not a degree was earned and regardless of when courses were taken, or if they are not specific to the program for which you are applying,or appear on another transcript as study abroad or transfer credit. When you receive the recommendations and transcripts, do not open the sealed envelopes,rather, include them in your admission packet. Photocopies of transcripts or copies stamped "Issued to Student" are not acceptable.Applicants who have studied abroad must submit academic documents in the native language, as well as official English translations completed by someone other than the applicant or a family member. All documents submitted become the property of Simmons College and cannot be returned.

Official test score reports (GMAT, GRE, and TOEFL) must be sent directly by the Educational Testing Service to the SHS Office of Admission.The SHS code is 3761.

If submitting the downloadable application,please submit the following information in one envelope:

  • a completed application including essay, resume, check-list, and Certificate of Finances Form (for non-U.S. citizens only).
  • a non-refundable $50 application fee, made payable to Simmons College.
  • three professional or academic recommendations in sealed, signed envelopes. Recommendations should comment on your ability to pursue graduate study and, ultimately, advanced nursing practice. For practicing nurses,at least one recommendation should be from your most recent employer.
  • for R.N.s, evidence of licensure and at least one year of clinical experience.
  • official academic transcripts in signed/sealed envelopes for all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, even if a degree or certificate was not earned. If a degree was conferred, the date must be indicated on the transcript. Applicants who are completing an undergraduate degree or prerequisites courses must submit September-to-December term grades.

For the online application, the following information should be sent directly to the SHS Office of Admission by the appropriate agency or institution:

  • official academic transcripts in signed/sealed envelopes for all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, even if a
    degree or certificate was not earned. If a degree was conferred, the date must be indicated on the transcript. Applicants 
    who are completing an undergraduate degree or prerequisite courses must submit September-to-December term grades.
  • three professional or academic recommendations in sealed, signed envelopes. Recommendations should comment on your ability to pursue graduate study and, ultimately, advanced nursing practice. For practicing nurses,at least one recommendation should be from your most recent employer
  • for R.N.s, evidence of licensure and at least one year of clinical experience
  • official GRE test scores from within the past five years unless the applicant waives the GRE requirement by successfully completing (grade B or better) NUR 404 (offered only fall (September) semester), Normal and Abnormal Human Physiology, (not for direct-entry candidates or international students who must enroll full-time).
  • official TOEFL scores from within the past two years if English is not your first language. A minimum score of 570 (paper test) or 230 (computer test) or 88(internet test) is required.

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

Applicants to the C.A.G.S. program must meet the general admission requirements with the exception of the GRE. Applicants must have earned a 3.0 graduate - study grade point average.

Non-degree Students (U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents Only)

A potential applicant to the nursing program (not direct-entry or C.A.G.S.) may take up to two courses in the program as a non-degree student (special student) before applying to the program. Permission is granted on a space-available basis.