Samuel Merritt University
Samuel Merritt University (SMU) was founded in 1909 as a private, non-profit hospital school of nursing. The campus is located within the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland. SMU is a health sciences university with a focus on nursing programs. Nursing degrees are available for both undergrads and grads, with additional graduate programs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, and podiatric medicine. SMU is affiliated with the Sutter Health Network and the only provider of physical and occupational therapists in the greater East Bay region. The school is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, and all programs are fully-accredited.
SMU mostly offers graduate programs in the nursing field through the SMU School of Nursing. However, they do have a traditional BSN program, accelerated BSN program, and RN to MSN program. The BSN program is a two-year program, with students completing the prerequisite courses at other universities, such as a two-year community college. The MSN programs include three specialty tracks, including Case Management, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Anesthesia. For those seeking a doctorate, SMU offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialty. These programs are all accredited by the CCNE.
Institution Overview
Campus LocaleLarge City |
Number of Students2,141 |
Student to Faculty Ratio10:1 |
Is Admission OpenNo |
Religious Affiliation - |
Level4-year |
TypePrivate |
Business ModelNot-for-profit |
On Campus Housing- |
Retention Rate- |
Nursing Programs
The Samuel Merritt University Nursing Program admits students transferring from other colleges and universities on a limited basis for entry in the fall or in the spring semesters.
Freshmen applicants interested in the program can also apply directly to one of the partnership programs for pre-nursing
- Mills College, Oakland
- Saint Mary’s College of California
- Holy Names University, Oakland
- Norte Dame De Namur, Belmont
Student can complete the liberal arts and science courses at these schools and transfer to Samuel Merritt University for nursing courses. The BSN degree is awarded by Samuel Merritt University.
Samuel Merritt also offers an intensive, 12-month Accelerated BSN program which is designed to prepare students who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field.
Admission Requirements for BSN program:
- 66 semester units of transferable work (including pre-requisite courses)
- GPA of 3.00 or higher on all college level course work (2.50 GPA for pre-requisite science courses)
- A minimum of 9 semester or 14 quarter units of academic courses (completed with a 2.50 GPA in the last two years)
- TEAS scores
- Letter of reference
- Transfer students need to prove good standing and eligibility for continued enrollment at their former institution.
- Basic life support certification for healthcare providers level obtained from the American Heart Association or AHA
- Sample of writing
The admissions deadline for enrollment in the fall semester is the 1st of March and the deadline for enrollment in the spring semester is the 1st of September.
The Samuel Merritt University Master of Science program offers a flexible approach personalized to the needs of the student. Classes in the program are offered in evenings and on weekends to meet the needs of professional students as well as offering full time study.
Students who successfully complete the Master of Science in Nursing, degree are eligible for national and state certification.
Students are admitted into the MSN program on the basis of academic preparation interest in advanced nursing and commitment to serving.
Graduates from the program are eligible to apply for certification from the California Board of Registered of Nursing as well as being eligible for national certification through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Admission Requirements
- A baccalaureate Degree in nursing from an accredited college or university
- Official transcripts for all undergraduate academic and practical coursework
- Current, valid and unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse
- Written statement expressing professional goals
- Two letters of recommendation
- Minimum of a ‘C’ grade in a statistics course
- Computer literacy
The MSN program accepts 24 students every year. The application deadline for admission is the 15th of January.
The DNP program is accredited by the Senior Commission of WASC.
Nursing Programs Graduates (2017-2018 academic year)
Number of Graduates | ||
---|---|---|
Degree type | Men | Women |
Bachelor's degree | 72 | 291 |
Master's degree | 15 | 97 |
Post-master's certificate | 2 | 5 |
Doctor's degree - professional practice | 1 | 5 |
Compare Schools
Nursing schools located within 350 miles radius of Samuel Merritt University
Holy Names University
4 miles away |
Saint Mary's College of California
9 miles away |
University of San Francisco
11 miles away |
Dominican University of California
17 miles away |
Touro University California
18 miles away |
Pacific Union College
53 miles away |
Fresno Pacific University
158 miles away |
Simpson University
193 miles away |
Mount Saint Mary's University
333 miles away |
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science
350 miles away |
Frequently compared schools
California State University-East Bay
offers 3 nursing programs |
California State University-Sacramento
offers 6 nursing programs |
Dominican University of California
offers 5 nursing programs |
Georgetown University
offers 4 nursing programs |
Loma Linda University
offers 12 nursing programs |
Mount Saint Mary's University
offers 8 nursing programs |
San Francisco State University
offers 6 nursing programs |
San Jose State University
offers 5 nursing programs |
Sonoma State University
offers 5 nursing programs |
The University of Alabama
offers 7 nursing programs |
Accreditations
Institutional Accreditations
Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission 06/30/1984 - Current |
Nursing Programs Accreditations
Nursing (CNDNP) - Nursing education programs at the doctorate degree levels CCNE 04/25/2013 - Current |
Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the baccalaureate degree levels CCNE 04/21/2001 - Current |
Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the graduate degree levels CCNE 04/21/2001 - Current |
Nurse Anesthesia (ANEST) - Institutions and programs at the master's degree, post master's certificate or doctoral degree levels COA 04/09/1994 - Current |
Admission
Cost to Attend
The following table details the reported cost of attendance per credit hour for the 2017-2018 academic year.
Undergrad courses | ||
---|---|---|
In District Students | $1,439/credit | |
In State Students | $1,439/credit | |
Out of State Students | $1,439/credit |
Graduate courses | ||
---|---|---|
In District Students | $1,353/credit | |
In State Students | $1,353/credit | |
Out of State Students | $1,353/credit |
Tuition Estimates
Based on the above credit hour costs, here is a sample tuition for different nursing programs.
Program | Credit Hours | In district | In State | Out of State |
---|---|---|---|---|
LPN | 45 | $64,755 | $64,755 | $64,755 |
ADN | 70 | $100,730 | $100,730 | $100,730 |
BSN | 125 | $179,875 | $179,875 | $179,875 |
FNP | 50 | $67,650 | $67,650 | $67,650 |
If you attend a private, for-profit school, usually the additional cost (besides tuition) is about 10% of the tuition. If you attend a public school or a not-for-profit private school, the additional cost is around 50% of the tuition.
Financial Aid
Student Population
919
Undergrads
1,222
Graduates
1,635
Women
506
Men
67%
Full-time
33%
Par-time
Ethnic Diversity
White |
32% |
Asian |
28% |
Hispanic |
19% |
Race/ethnicity unknown |
8% |
Two or more races |
6% |
Black/African American |
6% |
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander |
1% |
Non-resident alien |
0% |
Relevant scholarships
- California State PTA Continuing Education Scholarship for School Nurses
- FNSNA Promise of Nursing Scholarships
- Licensed Vocational Nurse to Associate Degree Nursing Scholarships
- Associate Degree Nursing Scholarship Program
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing Scholarship Program
More scholarships
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Data source: https://nces.ed.gov (2017-2018 colleges survey) and California state board of nursing.