Accelerated & Dual Degree Programs
Fast-track your education
You want to earn an advanced degree and hit the ground running in your career. Simmons' accelerated and dual-degree bachelor's and master's programs help you do exactly that.
Accelerated Programs: Earn Your Advanced Degree in Less Time
As a Simmons undergraduate, you can start earning graduate-level credits in your junior year. We offer degrees in fields ranging from arts and sciences, social work, and education to nursing and health sciences, and business and technology. Also, through our Double Shark Scholarship, you’ll benefit from a 20% discount on graduate coursework after earning your bachelor’s degree.
We offer two tracks:
- Direct Pathway: When you know where you want your education to take you, this pathway lets you start your graduate journey early. You can apply for an accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program during undergraduate admission.
- Exploratory Pathway: You’ll work with your advisor to choose graduate programs that fit you best. Some accelerated options link directly to specific majors, while others let you explore different fields. As an undergraduate, you can take up to two graduate-level courses that count toward your master’s.
Simmons' accelerated programs are part of the Simmons Edge, blending rigorous studies with real-world experience.
Learn more about how accelerated graduate education works at Simmons.
These Direct Pathways Accelerated Programs are available to undergraduate students.
Simmons offers accelerated programs in social work for college graduates — from any institution — who want to earn their master’s degree in one year or less.
Dual Degree Programs
If you want to master two disciplines without doubling your time in school, Simmons offers dual-degree programs awarding two distinct credentials.
Undergraduate: The 3+2 Engineering Pathway
Earn two Bachelor of Science degrees, one from Simmons and one in Engineering from a partner institution. Spend three years at Simmons building a strong foundation in math and science within a liberal arts context. Then transition to a partner university (Columbia University, Washington University in St. Louis, or Wentworth Institute of Technology) for two years of specialized engineering coursework.
Explore the 3+2 Engineering Pathway
What Our Students Say about Accelerated & Dual Degree Programs
The integrated experience offers you a pathway for your career, and those opportunities are built into the program.
- Emma Radlinski ’24 ’26DPT
Computer science is a major that I never would have thought to pursue, but the unique accelerated program has prepared me for a field that relies on modern technology and a comprehensive understanding of systems. The accelerated program also has been of great financial benefit, and allowed me to already be in my second class toward my master’s degree before I even have my bachelor’s completed.
- Jenn Leishman ’26
I heard from many engineering majors that it’s difficult to satisfy the premed requisites. By majoring in biochemistry at Simmons, I will be able to complete my premed requirements while also being able to study engineering.
- Maya McCabe ’27
Everyone in my cohort got one of their top three choices for terminal clinical rotations. That is incredible. Not everyone gets that opportunity, especially at bigger schools.
- Emma Radlinski ’24 ’26DPT
Spotlight on Students & Alums of Accelerated & Dual Degree Programs
Finding Purpose in Accelerated Nursing Program
Direct Entry Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP) student Nodira Rahimhodjayeva ’26MSN, ’27DNP loves the straightforward educational path Simmons offers. She spoke with us about what drew her to nursing and the hands-on, supportive education she is receiving at Simmons.
Sharing the Untold Stories at Queer History Boston
Mik Hamilton '24MS ‘24MA is the archivist at Queer History Boston, a community archive dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the rich LGBTQ+ histories of Boston and New England. Hamilton shares how the dual degree in LIS: archives management and history at Simmons prepared them for a dream job just before graduation.
From Med School to Nursing
Jenni Costa ’27MSN is a student in the direct entry Master of Science in nursing and post-graduate Certificate family nurse practitioner (MSN/PGC FNP), an accelerated program for students who completed a bachelor’s degree in a field outside of nursing.
Digitizing Local Archives and Reminiscing with Alumnae/i
Jenn Leishman ’26 reflects on choosing their major, an internship in the West End Museum in Boston, favorite courses, and how Simmons helped prepare them for a career as a library professional.
A Pivotal Experience in Human Anatomy for DPT Student
Emma Radlinski ’24 ’26DPT is pursuing the accelerated program in health and exercise science and physical therapy (3+3), which combines a bachelor of science in health and exercise science with a doctor of physical therapy (DPT). Now in the DPT portion of her studies, Radlinski shares what brought her to PT in the first place, and the accelerated degree.
Honors 3+1 Student Embraces Interdisciplinarity
Abigail Pearson ’26, ’27MSW is an honors student pursuing an accelerated degree in social work. We spoke with her about the vitality of an interdisciplinary education and the thriving community at Simmons.
From Runway to Fenway: Student Strikes a Healthy Balance
Helena Greenslit ’24 ’25MS is a graduate student in nutrition and dietetics and a model. We spoke with her about her love of food, her commitment to health care, and the supportive faculty at Simmons.
Athlete Discovers Value of Nutrition
Accelerated student Arianna Joyce ’26, ’27MS is a competitive figure skater who is passionate about nutrition. We spoke with her about the encouraging community at Simmons and the value of an accelerated education.