Pre-Health Professions Track

Planning your Pathway to Athletic Training School

Recommended majors

• We recommend majoring in Exercise Science if interested in Athletic Training.
• Other possible majors include Psychology and Public Health. 

Requirements for all majors

• Simmons requires that all undergraduates complete a minimum of 128 credits of coursework, fulfill PLAN and major/program requirements, and submit a senior audit form to graduate.
• You may declare a major after you have earned 32 credits and must declare prior to earning 80 credits.
• All majors must submit CPR/AED and First Aid Certifications by March 1 of the senior year.

Typical Athletic Training School Prerequisite Requirements

Athletic Training program admission requirements vary greatly by school. You are encouraged to research the prerequisites for your desired schools. Many schools will expect applicants to take GRE and to complete the following courses. For school-specific requirements, visit school websites or the CAATE Directory.

* Not required at all MSAT programs, although encouraged

Planning your pathway to Medical School

What does it mean to be a Pre-Med student?

The term "Pre-Med" refers to students considering continued education and careers in the following areas:

• M.D: Doctor of Medicine, Allopathic Medicine
• D.O.: Doctor of Osteopathy
• M.D./PH.D.

Types of Medical Schools

There are two types of medical schools in the United States that allow students to go on to practices as general physicians: Allopathic (MD) medical schools, and Osteopathic (DO) medical schools. Most of these resources apply to both MD and DO schools. This article from Medical School HQ does a great job outlining the differences (and many similarities) between MDs and DOs.

Admission to medical school is very competitive. Nationally, the percentage of applicants who are accepted varies from year to year but is generally less than 50% of the applicant pool. Accepted applicants nationally have an overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.5-3.6. Accepted applicants also have high scores on the MCAT averaging from 504 (DO) to 510 (MD).

Researching Medical Schools 

Admission requirements vary by program and institution. To find school-specific requirements visit medical school websites directly in addition to the following resources: 

• MD Schools: Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) guide
  The MSAR, published by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), provides information on course requirements by school, acceptability of AP, community college, and online coursework for MD Schools. Some information on the MSAR is free to all students, and a 1-year subscription to access all information is $28.
• DO Schools: U.S. Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine 

Qualities of Strong Professional School Applicants

• Apply early (early summer) of the year before the expected year of matriculation.
• Submit applications to schools that best match your strengths.
• A high GPA in science and non-science courses – a competitive GPA is above a 3.5 – 3.6
• High Scores on the MCAT.
• Active in volunteer/work experience/extracurricular events.
• Has significant clinical experience – shadowing & volunteer work are essential!
• Well known by professors.
• Great letters of recommendation and evaluations.
• It is recommended that applicants complete prerequisite courses at their home institution. If this is not possible, they should be completed at an accredited 4-year institution.

Typical Medical School Prerequisite Requirements

*Should be taken before MCAT 

Simmons Timelines for Pre-Med students

You will consult with the Pre-Health Advisors to determine which timeline will help you become the strongest possible candidate at the time of your application to medical school.

1. Traditional Timeline
   This timeline is an example of how you may wish to take courses if you plan to go directly from Simmons to Medical School, with only the summer after graduation as a break. This would be an appropriate route for you if you have no doubt that you want to attend medical school and have a strong academic performance in your first two years of college. It is common for students to start out on the “Traditional” Timeline in their first year, and then transition to the Growth Year Timeline later in their career for a variety of reasons (i.e. academic rigor, MCAT preparation timeline, wanting to work before starting medical school, etc.).  

   This path is designed to prepare you to take the MCAT in the spring semester of your junior year.

   Year	PLAN Requirements	Fall	Spring	Summer
   1	WRI 101: Writing Boston	SIM 100: Simmons (2 cr.) CHEM 113/115: General Chemistry I BIOL 113: General Biology	CHEM 216: General Chemistry II & Quantitative Analysis MATH 120: Calculus I	Exposure to Medicine Community Service
   2		CHEM 224: Organic Chemistry I PHYS 114: Physics I AND MATH 121: Calculus II	CHEM 225: Organic Chemistry II PHYS 115: Physics II BIOL 225: Cell Biology	Continue Service  Research
   3	Simmons 200: Extend, 2 cr.	CHEM 345: Biochemistry PHYS 201: Wave Phenomena MCAT Preparation Review the Committee Letter Process	MCAT Preparation MCAT Exam strongly recommended by mid-April Committee Letter Process	Apply by June/July Secondary Applications
   4	Capstone (in major)	Med School Interviews	Med School Interviews	Take a break before Med School

   Additional Required Coursework

   These courses are offered in both Fall and Spring semesters, and therefore offer you greater flexibility when adding them to your academic plan. 

   STAT 118: Introductory Statistics (or higher, QL) 
   *PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychological Science (or higher) 
   *1 Sociology Course: Intro to Sociology or a healthcare sociology course (options include SOCI 101, SOCI 241, SOCI 245, SOCI 345, or similar courses) 
   ENGL: choose a writing intensive course (Can be fulfilled through ALA or Writing Intensive) 
   *Two additional Biology courses at the 200+ level, including one that covers the structure and functions of systems prior to the MCAT (i.e. BIOL 222: Animal Physiology, or BIOL 231 & 232: Anatomy & Physiology I & II). 
   Some Key Content Areas (ALA, GH, and SCI) and Key Skills Areas (DEIJ, QL, IL, WI, and Leadership) requirements may be fulfilled with the above Pre-Health courses.

2. Growth Year(+)
   This timeline is an example of how you may wish to take courses if you plan to take at least one growth year between Simmons and medical school. Approximately 80% of Simmons Pre-Health students and 50% of students nationally take at least one growth year. 

   This schedule is designed to prepare you to take the MCAT in the spring semester of your senior year. The exam should be taken in the calendar year prior to which you plan to enter medical school (for example, if you are applying in 2026 for entrance to medical school in Fall 2027, you should take the exam in Spring 2026). If you wish to take additional years before applying to medical school, the MCAT, committee letter process, and application timeline can be moved to later years (although the times of year will always remain the same). Pre-Health Advising is available to alumni to support then during their growth years.

   Year	PLAN Requirements	Fall	Spring	Summer
   1	WRI 101: Writing Boston	SIM 100: Simmons (2 cr.) CHEM 113/115: General Chemistry BIOL 113: General Biology	CHEM 216: General Chemistry II & Quantitative Analysis MATH 120: Calculus I	Exposure to Medicine Community Service
   2		CHEM 224: Organic Chemistry I MATH 121: Calculus II	CHEM 225: Organic Chemistry II BIOL 225: Cell Biology	Continue Service Research
   3	Simmons 200: Extend, 2 cr.	PHYS 114: Physics I	PHYS 115: Physics II	Research or Clinical Experience
   4	Capstone (in major)	CHEM 345: Biochemistry PHYS 201: Wave Phenomena MCAT Preparation & Review the Committee Process	MCAT Preparation Take MCAT Exam by mid-April Committee Letter Process	Apply by June/July Secondary Applications
   Growth Year		Med School Interviews	Med School Interviews	Take a break before Med School

   Additional Required Coursework

   These courses are offered in both Fall and Spring semesters, and therefore offer you greater flexibility when adding them to your academic plan.

   STAT 118: Introductory Statistics (or higher, QL) 
   *PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychological Science (or higher) 
   *1 Sociology Course: Intro to Sociology or a healthcare sociology course (options include SOCI 101, SOCI 241, SOCI 245, SOCI 345, or similar courses) 
   ENGL: choose a writing intensive course (Can be fulfilled through ALA or Writing Intensive) 
   *Strongly recommended: including one that covers the structure and functions of systems prior to the MCAT (i.e. BIOL 222: Animal Physiology, or BIOL 231 & 232: Anatomy & Physiology I & II).
   Some Key Content Areas (ALA, GH, and SCI) and Key Skills Areas (DEIJ, QL, IL, WI, and Leadership) requirements may be fulfilled with the above Pre-Health courses.

3. Grow into Chemistry
   This timeline will allow you to ease into the rigorous Chemistry sequence required for medical school. It allows time to adjust to a college curriculum and take a health science-focused survey of Chemistry course prior to starting the Pre-Med Chemistry sequence with CHEM 113: General Chemistry I in your sophomore year. Please note that this timeline will require at least one growth year between graduation from Simmons and starting medical school. Approximately 80% of Simmons Pre-Health students and 50% of students nationally take at least one growth year.
   
   This schedule is designed to prepare you to take the MCAT in the spring semester of your senior year. The exam should be taken in the calendar year prior to which you plan to enter medical school (for example, if you are applying in 2026 for entrance to medical school in Fall 2027, you should take the exam in Spring 2026). If you wish to take additional years before applying to medical school, the MCAT, committee letter process, and application timeline can be moved to later years (although the times of year will always remain the same). Pre-Health Advising is available to alumni to support them during their growth years.

   Year	PLAN Requirements	Fall	Spring	Summer
   1	WRI 101: Writing Boston	SIM 100: Simmons (2 cr.) BIOL 113: General Biology	MATH 120: Calculus I CHEM 110: General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry	Exposure to Medicine Community Service
   2		CHEM 113: General Chemistry I  PHYS 114: Physics I and MATH 121: Calculus II	CHEM 216: General Chemistry II & Quantitative Analysis PHYS 115: Physics II	Continue Service Research
   3	Simmons 200: Extend, 2 cr.	CHEM 224: Organic Chemistry I PHYS 201: Wave Phenomena	CHEM 225: Organic Chemistry II BIOL 225: Cell Biology	Research or Clinical Experience
   4	Capstone (in major)	CHEM 345: Biochemistry BIOL 222 or 231: Animal Physiology or A&P I (prior to MCAT) MCAT Preparation & Review Committee Letter Process	(BIOL 232: A&P II - if took BIOL 231 in Fall) MCAT Preparation Take MCAT Exam by mid-April Committee Letter Process	Apply by June/July Secondary Applications
   Growth Year		Med School Interviews	Med School Interviews	Take a break before Med School

   Additional Required Coursework

   These courses are offered in both Fall and Spring semesters, and therefore offer you greater flexibility when adding them to your academic plan. 
   
   STAT 118: Introductory Statistics (or higher, QL) 
   *PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychological Science (or higher) 
   *1 Sociology Course: Intro to Sociology or a healthcare sociology course (options include SOCI 101, SOCI 241, SOCI 245, SOCI 345, or similar courses) 
   ENGL: choose a writing intensive course (Can be fulfilled through ALA or Writing Intensive) 
   
   Some Key Content Areas (ALA, GH, and SCI) and Key Skills Areas (DEIJ, QL, IL, WI, and Leadership) requirements may be fulfilled with the above Pre-Health courses.

Applying to Medical School 

Application materials must be submitted through AMCAS (MD) or AACOMAS (DO). 

• AMCAS application tools and tutorials
• AACOMAS application resources 

GPA Calculation 

Most professional schools will calculate your Overall GPA as well as your science and math GPA for admission. Math/science GPA is calculated using scores from any course taken in the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math (BCPM GPA). 

• AP credits are NOT computed into your GPA
• ALL post-secondary coursework will be used to compute your GPA for admission, even if they are not included in your Simmons GPA. Dual-enrollment and transfer courses DO count toward your GPA.
• “W” grades do not count in your GPA. However, avoid “W” grades. Professional schools expect students to consistently carry a full-time course load (16-18 credits). 

MCAT 

Most U.S. medical schools will expect applicants to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The MCAT is a multiple-choice standardized exam that takes 7 hours and 30 minutes to complete (including breaks). 

The MCAT covers the following topics: 

• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) 

The AAMC recommends that students prepare for 300-350 hours for the MCAT exam. Many students find it beneficial to take a prep course for the MCAT. You can find up to date information regarding the current MCAT on the AAMC website. 

The average MCAT score of an accepted student to an MD school is 511.7; for DO schools the average accepted MCAT score is 504.7. 

Planning your Pathway to a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant Program

Recommended majors

We recommend majoring in one of these areas if you are interested in becoming an Anesthesiologist Assistant:

• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Health and Exercise Science
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Physics

Requirements for all majors

• Simmons requires that all undergraduates complete a minimum of 128 credits of coursework, fulfill PLAN and major/program requirements, and submit a senior audit form to graduate.
• All students are required to complete a capstone before graduating. Consult with your advisor on how best to fill this requirement.
• You may declare a major in the beginning of your first year fall semester. You must declare prior to earning 80 credits.

Typical Anesthesiologist Assistant Program Prerequisite Requirements

* Not required at all CAA programs, although encouraged. Please review the prerequisites for each CAA program of interest.

Planning your Pathway to a Master's in Behavior Analysis

Recommended majors

• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Health and Exercise Science
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Physics
• Psychology

Requirements for all majors

• Simmons requires that all undergraduates complete a minimum of 128 credits of coursework, fulfill PLAN and major/program requirements, and submit a senior audit form to graduate.
• You may declare a major after you have earned 32 credits and must declare prior to earning 80 credits.

Prerequisites for the Behavior Analysis Program

Simmons University Masters of Behavior Analysis program does not have specific prerequisite course requirements for admission into the program, although preference is given to students who successfully complete PSYC 203 or an equivalent research course. 

For program-specific information and faculty contacts, visit the Behavior Analysis program page.

Planning your Pathway to a Chiropractic Medicine Program

Recommended majors

• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Health and Exercise Science
• Psychology
• Public Health

Requirements for all majors

• Simmons requires that all undergraduates complete a minimum of 128 credits of coursework, fulfill PLAN and major/program requirements, and submit a senior audit form to graduate.
• You may declare a major after you have earned 32 credits and must declare prior to earning 80 credits.
• All majors must submit CPR/AED and First Aid Certifications by March 1 of the senior year.

Typical Chiropractic Medicine Program Prerequisite Requirements

Chiropractic Medicine program admission requirements vary greatly by school. You are encouraged to research the prerequisites for your desired schools. Many schools will expect applicants to take MCAT or GRE and to complete the following courses. For school-specific requirements, visit school websites or the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) Directory.

* Not required at all DC programs, although encouraged. Please review the prerequisites for each DC program of interest.

Planning your pathway to Dental School

Researching Dental Schools 

Admission requirements vary by program and institution. It is strongly recommended that students begin researching school-specific requirements early to ensure they are completing all required prerequisites. To find school-specific requirements, visit their websites or the American Dental Association (ADA) website.

Qualities of Strong Professional School Applicants

• Apply early (early summer) of the year before the expected year of matriculation.
• Submit applications to schools that best match your strengths.
• A high GPA in science and non-science courses – a competitive GPA is above a 3.5
• High Scores on the DAT
• Active in volunteer/work experience/extracurricular events
• Has significant clinical experience – shadowing & volunteer work are essential!
• Well known by professors
• Great letters of recommendation and evaluations
• It is recommended that applicants complete prerequisite courses at their home institution.  If this is not possible, they should be completed at an accredited 4-year institution.

Typical Dental School Prerequisite Requirements

*Should be taken before the DAT 

Note: Additional upper-level science classes are always beneficial, especially if students choose a major outside the sciences, be sure to refer to Dental School websites for school-specific requirements.

Simmons Timelines for Pre-Dental students

You will consult with the Pre-Health Advisors to determine which timeline will help you become the strongest possible candidate at the time of your application to dental school.

1. Traditional Timeline
   This timeline is an example of how you may wish to take courses if you plan to go directly from Simmons to Dental School, with only the summer after graduation as a break. This would be an appropriate route for you if you have no doubt that you want to attend dental school and have a strong academic performance in your first two years of college. It is common for students to start out on the “Traditional” Timeline in their first year, and then transition to the Growth Year Timeline later in their career for a variety of reasons (i.e. academic rigor, DAT preparation timeline, wanting to work before starting dental school, etc.).  

   This path is designed to prepare you to take the DAT in the spring semester of your junior year.

   Year	PLAN Requirements	Fall	Spring	Summer
   1	WRI 101: Writing Boston	SIM 100: Simmons (2 cr.) CHEM 113/115: General Chemistry I BIOL 113: General Biology	CHEM 224: Organic Chemistry I MATH 120: Calculus I	Exposure to Dentistry Community Service
   2		CHEM 225: Organic Chemistry II MATH 121: Calculus II	CHEM 216: General Chemistry II  OR CHEM 226: Analytical Chemistry (Chemistry & Biochemistry majors) BIOL 225: Cell Biology	Continue Service  Research
   3	Simmons 200: Extend, 2 cr.	PHYS 114: Physics I BIOL 222: Animal Physiology (or BIOL 231 Fall, BIOL 232 Spring) DAT Preparation Review the Committee Letter Process	PHYS 115: Physics II DAT Preparation Take DAT Exam by mid-April Committee Letter Process	Research or Clinical Experience Apply by June/July
   4	Capstone (in major)	Dental School Interviews	Dental School Interviews	Take a break before Dental School

   Additional Required Coursework

   These courses are offered in both Fall and Spring semesters, and therefore offer you greater flexibility when adding them to your academic plan. 

   STAT 118: Introductory Statistics (or higher, QL) 
   *PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychological Science (or higher) 
   *1 Sociology Course: Intro to Sociology or a healthcare sociology course (options include SOCI 101, SOCI 241, SOCI 245, SOCI 345, or similar courses) 
   ENGL: choose a writing intensive course (Can be fulfilled through ALA or Writing Intensive) 
   Studio Art Course: Many dental schools require at least one studio arts course where students work with their hands (e.g. Ceramics, Sculpture, Jewelry Making) (ALA)
   Some Key Content Areas (ALA, GH, and SCI) and Key Skills Areas (DEIJ, QL, IL, WI, and Leadership) requirements may be fulfilled with the above Pre-Health courses.

2. Growth Year(+)
   This timeline is an example of how you may wish to take courses if you plan to take at least one growth year between Simmons and dental school. Approximately 80% of Simmons Pre-Health students and 50% of students nationally take at least one growth year. 

   This schedule is designed to prepare you to take the DAT in the spring semester of your senior year. The exam should be taken in the calendar year prior to which you plan to enter medical school (for example, if you are applying in 2026 for entrance to medical school in Fall 2027, you should take the exam in Spring 2026). If you wish to take additional years before applying to dental school, the DAT, committee letter process, and application timeline can be moved to later years (although the times of year will always remain the same). Pre-Health Advising is available to alumni to support then during their growth years.

   Year	PLAN Requirements	Fall	Spring	Summer
   1	WRI 101: Writing Boston	SIM 100: Simmons (2 cr.) CHEM 113/115: General Chemistry BIOL 113: General Biology	CHEM 224: Organic Chemistry I MATH 120: Calculus I	Exposure to Dentistry Community Service
   2		CHEM 225: Organic Chemistry II MATH 121: Calculus II	CHEM 216: General Chemistry II  OR CHEM 226: Analytical Chemistry (Chemistry & Biochemistry majors) BIOL 225: Cell Biology	Continue Service Research
   3	Simmons 200: Extend, 2 cr.	PHYS 114: Physics I BIOL 222: Animal Physiology (or BIOL 231 Fall, BIOL 232 Spring)	PHYS 115: Physics II	Continue Service Research
   4	Capstone (in major)	CHEM 345: Biochemistry DAT Preparation & Review the Committee Process	DAT Preparation Take DAT Exam by mid-April Committee Letter Process	Research or Clinical Experience Apply by June/July
   Growth Year		Dental School Interviews	Dental School Interviews	Take a break before Dental School

   Additional Required Coursework

   These courses are offered in both Fall and Spring semesters, and therefore offer you greater flexibility when adding them to your academic plan.

   STAT 118: Introductory Statistics (or higher, QL) 
   *PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychological Science (or higher) 
   *1 Sociology Course: Intro to Sociology or a healthcare sociology course (options include SOCI 101, SOCI 241, SOCI 245, SOCI 345, or similar courses) 
   ENGL: choose a writing intensive course (Can be fulfilled through ALA or Writing Intensive) 
   Studio Art Course: Many dental schools require at least one studio arts course where students work with their hands (e.g. Ceramics, Sculpture, Jewelry Making) (ALA)
   Some Key Content Areas (ALA, GH, and SCI) and Key Skills Areas (DEIJ, QL, IL, WI, and Leadership) requirements may be fulfilled with the above Pre-Health courses.

3. Grow into Chemistry
   This timeline will allow you to ease into the rigorous Chemistry sequence required for dental school. It allows time to adjust to a college curriculum and take a health science-focused survey of Chemistry course prior to starting the Pre-Dental Chemistry sequence with CHEM 113: General Chemistry I in your sophomore year. Please note that this timeline will require at least one growth year between graduation from Simmons and starting dental school. Approximately 80% of Simmons Pre-Health students and 50% of students nationally take at least one growth year.
   
   This schedule is designed to prepare you to take the DAT in the spring semester of your senior year. The exam should be taken in the calendar year prior to which you plan to enter medical school (for example, if you are applying in 2026 for entrance to medical school in Fall 2027, you should take the exam in Spring 2026). If you wish to take additional years before applying to dental school, the DAT, committee letter process, and application timeline can be moved to later years (although the times of year will always remain the same). Pre-Health Advising is available to alumni to support them during their growth years.

   Year	PLAN Requirements	Fall	Spring	Summer
   1	WRI 101: Writing Boston	SIM 100: Simmons (2 cr.) BIOL 113: General Biology	CHEM 110: General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry MATH 120: Calculus I	Exposure to Dentistry Community Service
   2		CHEM 113: General Chemistry I  MATH 121: Calculus II	CHEM 224: Organic Chemistry I BIOL 225: Cell Biology	Continue Service Research
   3	Simmons 200: Extend, 2 cr.	CHEM 225: Organic Chemistry II PHYS 114: Physics I BIOL 222: Animal Physiology (or BIOL 231 Fall, BIOL 232 Spring)	CHEM 216: General Chemistry II OR CHEM 226: Analytical Chemistry (Chemistry & Biochemistry majors) PHYS 115: Physics II DAT Preparation Take DAT Exam by mid-April Committee Letter Process	Research or Clinical Experience Apply by June/July
   4	Capstone (in major)	CHEM 345: Biochemistry   Dental School Interviews	Dental School Interviews	Take a break before Dental School

   Additional Required Coursework

   These courses are offered in both Fall and Spring semesters, and therefore offer you greater flexibility when adding them to your academic plan. 
   
   STAT 118: Introductory Statistics (or higher, QL) 
   *PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychological Science (or higher) 
   *1 Sociology Course: Intro to Sociology or a healthcare sociology course (options include SOCI 101, SOCI 241, SOCI 245, SOCI 345, or similar courses) 
   ENGL: choose a writing intensive course (Can be fulfilled through ALA or Writing Intensive) 
   Studio Art Course: Many dental schools require at least one studio arts course where students work with their hands (e.g. Ceramics, Sculpture, Jewelry Making) (ALA)
   
   Some Key Content Areas (ALA, GH, and SCI) and Key Skills Areas (DEIJ, QL, IL, WI, and Leadership) requirements may be fulfilled with the above Pre-Health courses.

Applying to Dental School 

Application materials must be submitted through AADSAS. 

GPA Calculation 

Most professional schools will calculate your Overall GPA as well as your science and math GPA for admission. Math/science GPA is calculated using scores from any course taken in the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math (BCPM GPA). 

• AP credits are NOT computed into your GPA
• ALL post-secondary coursework will be used to compute your GPA for admission, even if they are not included in your Simmons GPA. Dual-enrollment and transfer courses DO count toward your GPA for admission.
• “W” grades do not count in your GPA. However, avoid “W” grades. Professional schools expect students to consistently carry a full-time course load (16-18 credits). 

Dental Admission Test (DAT) 

In general, most U.S. dental schools will expect applicants to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Up to date information regarding the current DAT is available on the ADA website.

The DAT is a 5 hour (with breaks) computer-based, multiple choice exam administered through Prometric Test Centers in the U.S. and its territories. Testing appointments are available year-round. Individuals must wait 90 days between testing attempts. Examinees who have tested three or more times must apply for permission to take the test again. Some students find that it is helpful to take a preparation course for the DAT.  Currently it costs $460 per attempt of the DAT.

Sections of the DAT:

• Natural sciences (biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry)
• Perceptual ability (two- and three-dimensional problem solving)
• Reading comprehension (dental and basic sciences)
• Quantitative reasoning (mathematical problems in algebra, numerical calculations, conversions, etc.)

Planning your Pathway to an Exercise Physiology Program

Recommended majors

• We recommend majoring in Exercise Science if interested in Exercise Physiology.

Requirements for all majors

• Simmons requires that all undergraduates complete a minimum of 128 credits of coursework, fulfill PLAN and major/program requirements, and submit a senior audit form to graduate.
• You may declare a major after you have earned 32 credits and must declare prior to earning 80 credits.
• All majors must submit CPR/AED and First Aid Certifications by March 1 of the senior year.

Typical Exercise Physiology Program Prerequisite Requirements

Exercise Physiology Graduate Program admission requirements vary by school. You are encouraged to research the prerequisites for your desired schools. Many schools will expect applicants to take GRE and to complete the following courses. For school-specific requirements, visit school websites or the Clinical Exercise Physiology CEPA Directory.

* Not required at all OTD programs, although encouraged. Please review the prerequisites for each OTD program of interest. 

Which Nursing Program is Right for You?

Unsure of which Nursing program you should follow? Compare them all and discover which nursing program is right for you.

Compare Simmons Nursing Programs

Planning your Pathway to an Advanced Nursing Degree

Simmons School of Nursing offers several degree programs at the master's and doctoral level.

The specific admission requirements for each graduate nursing program are listed on the how to apply page.

Recommended Majors

• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Health and Exercise Science
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Nursing
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Psychology

Requirements for all majors

• Simmons requires that all undergraduates complete a minimum of 128 credits of coursework, fulfill PLAN and major/program requirements, and submit a senior audit form to graduate.
• You may declare a major after you have earned 32 credits and must declare prior to earning 80 credits.

Typical Nursing Program Prerequisite Requirements

Please visit the program page for your chosen program for details.

Planning your Pathway to Occupational Therapy School

Recommended majors

• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Health and Exercise Science
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Psychology

Requirements for all majors

• Simmons requires that all undergraduates complete a minimum of 128 credits of coursework, fulfill PLAN and major/program requirements, and submit a senior audit form to graduate.
• You may declare a major after you have earned 32 credits and must declare prior to earning 80 credits.
• All majors must submit CPR/AED and First Aid Certifications by March 1 of the senior year.

Typical Occupational Therapy School Prerequisite Requirements

Occupational Therapy program admission requirements vary greatly by school. You are encouraged to research the prerequisites for your desired schools. Many schools will expect applicants to take GRE and to complete the following courses. For school-specific requirements, visit school websites or the AOTA Directory.

*** Not required at all OTD programs, although encouraged. Please review the prerequisites for each OTD program of interest.

Planning your Pathway to an Optometry Program

Recommended majors

• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Health and Exercise Science
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Physics

Requirements for all majors

• Simmons requires that all undergraduates complete a minimum of 128 credits of coursework, fulfill PLAN and major/program requirements, and submit a senior audit form to graduate.
• You may declare a major after you have earned 32 credits and must declare prior to earning 80 credits.

Typical Optometry Program Prerequisite Requirements

Optometric Medicine program admission requirements vary greatly by school. You are encouraged to research the prerequisites for your desired schools. Many schools will expect applicants to take MCAT or GRE and to complete the following courses. For school-specific requirements, visit school websites or the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) Directory. 

Planning your Pathway to a Pharmacy Program

Recommended majors

• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Health and Exercise Science
• Physics

Requirements for all majors

• Simmons requires that all undergraduates complete a minimum of 128 credits of coursework, fulfill PLAN and major/program requirements, and submit a senior audit form to graduate.
• You may declare a major after you have earned 32 credits and must declare prior to earning 80 credits.

Typical Pharmacy Program Prerequisite Requirements

Doctor of Pharmacy program admission requirements vary greatly by school. You are encouraged to research the prerequisites for your desired schools. Many schools will expect applicants to take MCAT or GRE and to complete the following courses. For school-specific requirements, visit school websites or the Pharmacy College Application Service (PCAS) Directory. 

**Not all prerequisite courses are required for every PharmD program. Please look into each of the programs you are interested to ensure your courses satisfy their program requirements.

Planning your Pathway to a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree

Simmons offers two pathways  for Health and Exercise Science students to earn a DPT degree:

• Health and Exercise Science + Physical Therapy (3+3)
• Health and Exercise Science + Physical Therapy (4+3)

Requirements for both programs

• Simmons requires that all undergraduates complete a minimum of 128 credits of coursework, fulfill PLAN and major/program requirements, and submit a senior audit form to graduate.
• You may declare a major after you have earned 32 credits and must declare prior to earning 80 credits.
• All majors must submit CPR/AED and First Aid Certifications by March 1 of their senior year.

In order to proceed into the DPT portion of the curriculum, you must have a minimum of:

• Prerequisite course grades must be a B or better, only 1 B- may stand
• No Academic Integrity Violations
• 3.5 Cumulative GPA and 3.5 Prerequisite GPA

Both the 3+3 and 4+3 Health and Exercise Science/DPT program require 2 semesters of physics prior to entering the grad program. Both include labs.

• PHYS 110: Introductory Physics I
• PHYS 111: Introductory Physics II

Prerequisites for the 4+3 DPT Program at Simmons

It is recommended to take PSYC 101, NUTR 112 or STAT 118 during the first year, if possible.

 Prerequisites for the 3+3 DPT Program at Simmons

Planning your pathway to a Physician's Assistant program

Admission to physician assistant school is very competitive. Accepted applicants nationally have an overall undergraduate and prerequisite GPA of 3.5-3.6, and a GRE score at least above the 50th percentile. Many schools require a C or better (not a C-) in prerequisite courses, and some (like Northeastern) require a B or better. 

The Rigor of PA School 

Being in Physician Assistant school is often referred to as “drinking from a water hose”. Most PA schools have a didactic (classroom) year, and a clinical year. During that Didactic year, PA students learn all of the information typically taught in two years of medical school. Students are expected to absorb a lot of complex information very quickly, and apply it in their clinical rotations. For this reason, PA school should NOT be a backup to medical school if you are struggling academically.

Qualities of Strong Professional School Applicants

• Apply early (early summer) of the year before the expected year of matriculation.
• Submit applications to schools that best match your strengths.
• A high GPA in science and non-science courses – a competitive GPA is above a 3.5-3.6
• Competitive Scores on the GRE.
• Active in volunteer/work experience/extracurricular events
• Has significant clinical experience – shadowing & volunteer work are essential!
• Well known by professors
• Great letters of recommendation and evaluations
• It is recommended that applicants complete prerequisite courses at their home institution. If this is not possible, they should be completed at an accredited 4-year institution. 

Typical Physician Assistant School Prerequisite Requirements

Physician Assistant program admission requirements vary greatly by school. You are encouraged to research the prerequisites for your desired schools. In general, most schools will expect applicants to take GRE and to complete the following courses. For school-specific requirements, visit school websites or the PAEA Directory. 

Strongly Recommended Coursework

Direct Patient Care Experience 

Physician Assistant schools require anywhere from 500-2,000 hours of direct patient care experience prior to applying. They distinguish between Healthcare Experience (working in a healthcare setting, possibly observing direct patient care), and Patient Care Experience (roles where you are responsible for a patient’s care). Examples of roles that provide direct patient care experience include: CNA, EMT, respiratory therapist, clinical assistant, phlebotomist, and others. 

Taking Time Off Before PA School 

It is possible to spread courses further if you decide to take one or more growth years. Many Pre-PA students take growth year(s) to gain additional full-time direct patient care experience. Significant patient care experience is weighed heavily during the application process and shows dedication to the PA profession. 

GPA Calculation 

• The PA schools look at your GPA as calculated by CASPA. CASPA calculates Overall, Science, and Non-Science GPAs. The Science GPA includes courses in: Biology/Zoology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, and other sciences. The Non-Science GPA is made up of all other courses (including Math and behavioral sciences)
• AP credits are NOT computed into your GPA
• ALL post-secondary coursework will be used to compute your GPA for admission, even if they are not included in your Simmons GPA. Dual-enrollment and transfer courses DO count toward your GPA for admission
• “W” grades do not count in your GPA. However, avoid “W” grades. Professional schools expect students to consistently carry a full-time course load (16-18 credits).

Planning your Pathway to a Podiatric Medicine Program

Recommended majors

• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Health and Exercise Science
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Physics

Requirements for all majors

• Simmons requires that all undergraduates complete a minimum of 128 credits of coursework, fulfill PLAN and major/program requirements, and submit a senior audit form to graduate.
• You may declare a major after you have earned 32 credits and must declare prior to earning 80 credits.

Typical Podiatric Medicine Prerequisite Requirements

Podiatric Medicine program admission requirements vary greatly by school. You are encouraged to research the prerequisites for your desired schools. Many schools will expect applicants to take MCAT or GRE and to complete the following courses. For school-specific requirements, visit school websites or the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) Directory.

Planning your Pathway to a Master’s in Public Health

Recommended majors

• Biology
• Health and Exercise Science
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Psychology

Requirements for all majors

• Simmons requires that all undergraduates complete a minimum of 128 credits of coursework, fulfill PLAN and major/program requirements, and submit a senior audit form to graduate.
• You may declare a major after you have earned 32 credits and must declare prior to earning 80 credits.

Prerequisites for the Public Health program at Simmons

Simmons University Masters of Public Health (MPH) program does not have specific prerequisite course requirements for admission into the program, although introductory statistics (STAT118) is preferred.

For program-specific information and faculty contacts, visit the Public Health program page.

Planning your Pathway to a Speech and Language Pathology Program

Recommended majors

• Biology
• Health and Exercise Science
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Psychology

Requirements for all majors

• Simmons requires that all undergraduates complete a minimum of 128 credits of coursework, fulfill PLAN and major/program requirements, and submit a senior audit form to graduate.
• You may declare a major after you have earned 32 credits and must declare prior to earning 80 credits.

Typical Speech and Language Pathology Prerequisite Requirements

Speech and Language Pathology program admission requirements vary greatly by school. You are encouraged to research the prerequisites for your desired schools. Many schools will expect applicants to take GRE and to complete the following courses. For school-specific requirements, visit school websites or the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Directory.