Wheaton provides multiple avenues for students to explore graduate school study during and after their time at Wheaton through Dual Degree Programs and Degree partnerships.

On this page:

Dual Degree Programs

Dual degree programs permit a student to begin graduate-level study in marketing communications, engineering, and optometry before graduating from Wheaton. A student will take one to three additional years to earn a second degree in one of these fields; the Wheaton A.B. is normally awarded at the same time as the second degree.

Dual-degree programs exist with the following institutions:

  • Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College (B.S. Engineering)
  • New England School of Optometry (Doctor of Optometry)
Bachelor of Science in Engineering at Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College

For Engineering, Wheaton has an agreement with the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College.

Entrance requirements vary between the institutions and with individual fields of study, and interested students must work closely with the coordinator throughout their years at Wheaton in order to ensure their eligibility for admission into the programs. No particular academic program is prescribed, but a student’s three-year program should include at least two courses in English (including writing courses), six courses in the humanities and social sciences, four to six courses in mathematics, two to six courses in physics and one course in computer programming. Courses in biology, chemistry or economics are also expected for some programs.

Acceptance into a dual-degree program is dependent upon the strength of the student’s three-year academic record at Wheaton, the degree to which the student has completed appropriate course requirements for the proposed field of study, and perceived abilities and promise for the successful completion of such a program. Wheaton students must complete three years in residence at Wheaton.

Coordinator: Professor John Collins

Doctor of Optometry at New England School of Optometry 

The Doctor of Optometry dual-degree program with The New England College of Optometry will permit prepared and motivated Wheaton students with the professional goal of a doctor of optometry degree to complete the Wheaton bachelor of arts degree and The New England College of Optometry doctorate in seven years. Wheaton students who gain acceptance to this program will apply to the New England College of Optometry during their junior year. If they have demonstrated superior achievement in both the Wheaton curriculum and the optometry standardized tests, they may begin studies at The New England College of Optometry in the fourth year, after completing three years of Wheaton’s liberal arts curriculum, normally as a biology major. The fourth year, at The New England College of Optometry, will provide the credits needed for the student to earn the Wheaton A.B. at the same time as he or she begins doctoral study.

This program is designed for the academically outstanding student who has a strong and realistic motivation toward the optometric profession. Successful applicants will be superior high school students, especially in math and science, with acceptable SAT scores. Applicants will be interviewed by representatives of both Wheaton College and The New England College of Optometry; it is expected that most candidates for this program will identify themselves at the time of their admission to Wheaton or within the first semester.

Contact the Coordinator of Pre-Health Programs, Hilary Gaudet, for more information.

Degree Partnerships

Wheaton has agreements with multiple institutions who have reserved graduate admission placements for Wheaton students.

Degree partnerships exist with the following institutions:

  • Bridgewater State University
  • Simmons University
  • Clark University
Masters Programs at Bridgewater State University

Wheaton and Bridgewater State University have partnered to reserve graduate placements in the following programs for the following majors:

Eligible students must have completed their Bachelor of Arts at Wheaton with the following requirements:

  • A minimum overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00
  • Submission of general GRE scores, unless otherwise stated

Benefits to Wheaton students include:

  • A waiver of the graduate program admission application fee
  • The option to delay enrolling in the program for up to one (1) year while remaining eligible for the benefits

At least two (2) qualified Wheaton students each year (applying for the fall semester following graduation from Wheaton) will be eligible for admission into reserved spots in each of the graduate programs.

Masters Programs at Simmons University

Wheaton and Simmons University have partnered to reserve graduate placements in the following programs for the following majors:

Eligible students must have completed their Bachelor of Arts at Wheaton with a minimum overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00.

Students must interview with the director for the individual Simmons graduate program.

Benefits to Wheaton students include:

  • Accelerate admission decisions
  • A waiver of the graduate program admission application fee
  • A waiver of one (1) course required in the graduate degree program
Masters Program at Clark University
  • MBA with Clark University Graduate School of Management