Prepare Professionals to Advance in their Careers through Strong Graduate Programs
Simmons University will be the institution of choice for professionals who seek career advancement and leadership with purpose. We are renewing our commitment to academic excellence and purpose-driven graduate education—preparing skilled practitioners whose work strengthens communities and advances a healthy, just, and informed world.
Our graduate strategy is focused, market-responsive, and leverages Simmons’s historic strengths and national reputation. We will concentrate growth in fields where Simmons has long led and where societal and workforce needs are most urgent: nursing, social work, health sciences, and library and information science. In addition, the University will continue to strategically develop new academic programs in emerging, high-demand fields—bringing a distinctive, women-centered perspective to areas where it is both needed and impactful. These disciplines demand professionals who are both highly skilled and deeply grounded in values, and they represent our greatest opportunity to grow enrollment, strengthen net tuition revenue, and expand Simmons’ impact.
Grounded in rigorous scholarship and practitioner-led learning, Simmons graduate education connects theory to real-world application. By concentrating on our strengths, aligning graduate education with workforce needs, and deepening external partnerships, Simmons will drive sustainable growth, fuel philanthropic investment, and advance its mission to educate leaders who make a meaningful difference.
“Simmons graduate programs are designed for professionals who seek to advance their careers while leading with purpose. Grounded in scholarship and connected to practice, our programs prepare graduates to meet the evolving needs of the workforce and make a meaningful difference in their fields.”
— Stephanie Cosner, Provost
Highlights
Greater Flexibility: Graduate programs offer greater flexibility to meet the diverse needs of today’s students — on campus, online, and in hybrid formats.
Strengthen Pathways and Partnerships: We are deepening relationships with employers and partners to educate and upskill the workforce creating accessible graduate pathways for working professionals while building sustainable enrollment pipelines aligned with workforce demand. These employer-integrated pathways will support workforce development, expand access for working professionals and strengthen graduate enrollment through long-term institutional partnerships.
Enhanced National Reputation and Leadership: Through academic excellence, enhanced data and metrics on outcomes, and efforts to bolster recognition for our graduate programs, Simmons will elevate its standing as a national leader in professional education.
Pace-setting, Values-Aligned Program Innovation: Simmons will launch and scale distinctive graduate programs that respond to emerging professional fields that align with our mission and expertise. The launch of our Master of Management, including a concentration in the leadership of women’s sports, reflects our commitment to preparing leaders for complex organizations and industries undergoing rapid growth and transformation. Women’s sports are projected to reach $2.35 billion in global revenue by 2025 — a 240% increase since 2022. The nation’s first Master of Science in Management focused on the business of women’s professional sports, Simmons’ program prepares graduates to lead in this growing industry. This new MSM program also builds on Simmons’ long-standing excellence in management education and its historic leadership in advancing women in business.