Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing, a license to practice nursing, and the equivalent of at least three years of full-time nursing experience. International nurses with equivalent backgrounds are eligible to apply. Applicants must meet the general admission requirements of both HSPH and Simmons College. Students enroll in half-time study at both Simmons College and HSPH for two academic years, in addition to studying at Simmons for one summer session. The curriculum of the HSPH portion of the program is the same as that for the 40-credit SM program.
Continued matriculation is dependent on maintaining satisfactory academic progress in both programs.
The doctoral programs are designed to prepare public health professionals for research careers in academic institutions and in public and private health agencies, and for leadership roles in national and international organizations. Applicants must have an advanced degree in a health field related to maternal and child health. They are expected to have a sound academic record with documented proficiency in the quantitative sciences, relevant work experience, and research interest in an area consonant with the goals of the department. These traineeships require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Additional limited tuition support may be available for other master's and doctoral students.