Simmons University

Simmons University offers a range of nursing programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), designed to provide a solid foundation in healthcare. Programs are available in both on-campus and 100% online formats.

Programs Offered

• BSN (Traditional) – On Campus
  • $80,000 total tuition
  • 48-month program
  • 83% graduation rate
• DNP – Online
  • $75,000 total tuition
  • 36-month program
  • 83% graduation rate
• DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – On Campus
  • 36-month program
• DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP) – On Campus
  • 36-month program
• MSN – Nursing Administration & Leadership – On Campus
  • 24-month program
• MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP) – On Campus
  • 24-month program
• MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner – Online
  • $67,200 total tuition
  • 36-month program
  • 83% graduation rate
• MSN — Nursing Education – Online
  • $50,400 total tuition
  • 24-month program
  • 83% graduation rate

Clinical Training & Hospital Partnerships

• BSN program offers access to over 850 clinical training sites.
• Graduate students receive support from clinical placement specialists.
• 11,000-square-foot Nursing Simulation Center for on-campus skills training.
• Named hospital partners include:
  • Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • Boston Children’s Hospital
  • VA Boston Healthcare System
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• Some clinical placements may require self-arrangement by students.

Admissions Requirements

Direct Entry Graduate Nursing (for non-nursing bachelor’s degree holders):

• Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0 (across all institutions attended) with a grade of C+ or better in all prerequisite courses.
• Applicants who have retaken more than two prerequisites (either two different courses repeated, or one course repeated twice) within the past seven years are ineligible.
• TOEFL score requirement (if applicable): minimum 570 (paper-based), 230 (computer-based), or 88 (internet-based).

BSN → MSN (for applicants already holding a nursing bachelor’s degree):

• Preferred GPA: at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Prerequisite in statistics: one three-credit course with a minimum grade of C+ required before program start.
• English language proficiency (if applicable):
  • TOEFL iBT: 100–105 recommended
  • IELTS: 7.0–8.0
  • Duolingo: 120–125

Undergraduate Nursing Program (BSN, for transfer students):

• Typical admitted students have a college GPA and science GPA above 3.0, and a prerequisite GPA above 3.3.

Schedule & Format Flexibility

• BSN (Traditional): Primarily a daytime, on-campus program, with some classes and clinicals offered on evenings and weekends.
• Undergraduate BSN prerequisites: May be completed online or in person during spring, summer, and fall terms.
• Direct Entry graduate nursing programs (MSN, DNP, PMHNP, FNP): Formats vary by phase, with some on-campus in earlier terms and hybrid or online in later terms.
  • Direct Entry DNP-FNP: On campus through term 4, then on campus or online thereafter.
  • Direct Entry Hybrid PMHNP MSN: On campus terms 1–5, then online after term 5.
• Nursing@Simmons online graduate programs (MSN and DNP): Blend of live, online classes (synchronous), self-paced learning modules (asynchronous), a campus immersion weekend, and hands-on clinicals.

Program-Specific Details

• DNP: Minimum GPA: 3.0.
• MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner: Minimum GPA: 3.0.
• MSN — Nursing Education: Minimum GPA: 3.0.

Key Considerations for Prospective Students

• Accreditation: Ensure the program holds CCNE or ACEN accreditation, in addition to regional institutional accreditation.
• NCLEX Pass Rates: First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates are a key indicator of program quality. The national average is approximately 87–89%.
• Clinical Partnerships: Strong clinical partnerships ensure diverse, high-quality hands-on experience.
• Student Support Services: Academic advising, tutoring, career counseling, and NCLEX preparation resources contribute to student success.
• Career Placement: Some schools maintain partnerships with healthcare employers to facilitate hiring of new graduates.

The median annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 as of May 2024 (BLS), with approximately 189,100 RN job openings projected each year through 2034. Nurses with a BSN typically earn 10–20% more than those with an associate degree and are eligible for advanced practice roles such as nurse practitioner (median salary $129,210) and nurse anesthetist (median salary $223,210).