FAQ: Simmons Online Undergraduate Experience
We've created the following page to provide information about the online undergraduate coursework at Simmons University this Fall. We will be updating this page with more information as details are solidified regarding financial aid, online course availability, the status of on-campus classes, impacts to required fieldwork and more. During an upcoming Community Meeting, we look forward to sharing more details about online undergraduate coursework and answering your questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Online Undergraduate Coursework and Experience
- What is the Simmons online undergraduate experience?
- What will the online learning experience be like?
- If students are allowed to be back on campus in the Fall, will classes still be online? If so, which ones?
- What majors and courses will be available online in Fall 2020?
- Who is 2U?
- What type of support services will be offered?
On-Campus Classes
Who to Reach Out to For More Information
- I am a returning Sophomore, Junior, or Senior. Who should I contact to discuss Fall classes?
- I am an incoming First Year, who should I connect with about my Fall classes?
- I am interested in applying to join Simmons this Fall. How can I request more information?
Online Undergraduate Coursework and Experience
What is the Simmons online undergraduate experience?
The Simmons online undergraduate experience is our plan to ensure that, no matter where students are this Fall, they continue to get the quality academic experience they expect and deserve. Returning undergraduate students and incoming first year students can expect hundreds of their Fall courses to be available in an engaging and dynamic digital format.
What will the online learning experience be like?
Weekly deadlines accommodate students with busy or unpredictable schedules, allowing them to complete the coursework on their own time throughout the week. There will be rigorous, thought-provoking assignments, which may include watching lectures or interviews and responding to discussion questions through writing or video.
Students will also attend live online classes that bring students and faculty face-to-face in real time via HD streaming video. The online classroom takes advantage of dynamic sharing and collaboration features that are designed to enhance students’ learning experiences. Tools and functionality include:
- Small-group breakout rooms
- Video and document sharing
- Live chats, surveys, and polls
- Collaborative content annotation
- Screen-sharing capabilities
- Full class recordings
If students are allowed to be back on campus in the Fall, will classes still be online? If so, which ones?
Simmons will follow the guidance of state and city officials and public health experts to determine when and how students can safely return to campus and resume in person classes. Our goal is to be prepared for all potential scenarios in the Fall.
What majors and courses will be available online in Fall 2020?
Hundreds of courses from the existing Simmons catalog will be available. Generally, courses across all majors and disciplines slated to run in fall 2020 will be available. If course cancellations occur, students will be notified by Simmons, as occurs in any semester.
Who is 2U?
2U is a leader in global education technology. Simmons has worked hand in hand with 2U for nearly a decade to develop and deliver some of the most successful online graduate degree programs in the country across critical fields like nursing, social work, behavior analysis and public health, educating more than 3,000 online graduate students in the Greater Boston region and across the U.S. Students pursuing Simmons’ online graduate degrees have experienced the same transformative learning experiences and consistently excellent pedagogy in the online environment as their on-campus counterparts.
What type of support services will be offered?
At Simmons, we are committed to the success of our students on an individual level. It is a principle that guides everything we do. From the moment you request information about the program to the day you earn your diploma and beyond, Simmons offers unmatched support services to assist you every step of the way. We offer comprehensive admission, enrollment, and academic support that help ensure each student’s success.
As a student in our online program, you will work directly with our student support team. Our student support specialists will help you acclimate to the virtual campus, provide 24/7 technical support, and assist with registration. You will continue to work with your Academic Advisor, or, if you are a new student, you will be assigned an Academic Advisor, who will help ensure you are meeting your academic goals.
On-Campus Classes
Will Simmons have in-person classes in the Fall? Does the comprehensive online undergraduate experience mean Simmons is moving away from on-campus programs regardless of what happens with COVID-19?
Simmons remains committed to preserving our on-campus undergraduate experience, and we believe the online undergraduate experience will continue to offer our students the same high-quality educational experience they have come to expect from our on-campus experience until the day when we can safely be together on campus again. Our goal is to return to campus as soon as possible, while prioritizing the health and safety of students, faculty, and the larger Simmons community. When and how we hold in-person classes will be determined by the course of the pandemic and the guidance of public health officials.
Who to Reach Out to For More Information
I am a returning Sophomore, Junior, or Senior. Who should I contact to discuss Fall classes?
As we are able to make final decisions about fall 2020, we will be back in touch about planning. In the meantime, please contact [email protected] with any immediate questions.
I am an incoming First Year, who should I connect with about my Fall classes?
You will be hearing from Simmons soon about our fall registration process, which will begin in June. At that point, we’ll work with you to select your courses, whether online or on-the-ground.
I am interested in applying to join Simmons this Fall. How can I request more information?
For more information about Simmons’s undergraduate experience, please fill out the form here.