How Accelerated Graduate Education Works at Simmons

Exploratory Pathway Accelerated Programs

In the Exploratory Pathway, you’ll work closely with your advisor to choose the graduate programs that are the best fit for you. Some accelerated options connect directly to specific majors, while others give you the flexibility to explore different fields. As an undergraduate student, you can take up to two graduate-level courses that count toward your master’s.

Current exploratory pathways include:

• Behavior Analysis
• Children's Literature
• History
• Library and Information Science
• Management
• Nutrition and Health Promotion
• Public Health
• Public Policy
• Social Work

How to Express Interest in an Exploratory Pathway

Your undergraduate-to-graduate accelerated pathway takes off during junior year.

During junior year, you will:

• Complete the interest form. You can submit an interest form at any point during your junior year. Submitting an interest form by the priority deadline of February 15 allows you to register for courses during fall course registration.
• Meet with the Associate Director of Advising for Online, Adult Learner, & Edge Programs
• Meet with the relevant graduate program director for an interview and discussion of the program. (Priority deadline will receive a decision on March 15)
• Register for your first semester graduate course (April)
• During senior year, you can take up to a total of two graduate-level courses.

Priority Deadlines for Exploratory Pathway:

• Priority Deadline: February 15
• Priority Admission Decision: March 15
• Register for Fall Graduate Coursework: April*

We strongly encourage students to submit their interest form ahead of the priority deadline, as graduate courses are first-come, first-served.

Policies and Requirements for the Exploratory Pathway

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 required
• Students must have an advising meeting with the program director before applying, and their application fee will be waived.
• Students have until June 15 after they have completed their junior year to apply to an exploratory program in order to begin the accelerated master's coursework.
• Students who begin a graduate program as an undergraduate are not required to finish the graduate program in order to count toward their undergraduate degree.
• Acceptance into a graduate program is conditional upon passing all prerequisite and all graduate classes taken with the grades required by the program. Prerequisites and required grades vary by program.

Please note that up to two graduate courses taken during the fall and spring semesters will be included in the undergraduate flat tuition rate for that semester. Graduate courses taken during the summer will be billed on a per credit basis at the undergraduate tuition rate. Should you have any billing or financial aid questions, please consult Student Financial Services at [email protected].