Samuel Merritt University School of Nursing

Program Length & Format

• 12 months (3 semesters)
• on campus
• Campus locations: Oakland; Sacramento; San Francisco Peninsula (San Mateo, CA); Fresno

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution required (non-nursing baccalaureate)
• Grade of C or better required in all prerequisite courses
• Recommended minimum 3.0 GPA in last 60 semester/90 quarter units of coursework
• Recommended minimum 3.0 GPA in the four science prerequisite courses
• Two letters of reference required: one from a faculty member (preferably math or science) and one from a healthcare professional
• Transfer from another nursing program requires a written statement plus a letter from the dean confirming good standing and eligibility for continued enrollment

Prerequisites

• Prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better and cannot be taken concurrently with the ABSN program
• Required courses and semester units: English Composition 3.0; English Literature/Critical Thinking 3.0; Communication or Speech elective 3.0; Introduction/General Sociology or Cultural Anthropology 3.0; Social Science elective 3.0; Lifespan Developmental Psychology 3.0; Nutrition 3.0; Statistics 3.0; Human Anatomy with Lab 4.0; Human Physiology with Lab 4.0; Chemistry with Lab 4.0 (semester) or 6.0 (quarter); Microbiology with Lab 4.0; Pharmacology (approved course list); Pathophysiology (approved course list)
• Combined Anatomy & Physiology may meet requirements only if two combined A&P courses are completed (e.g., A&P I and A&P II)
• AP scores of 3, 4, or 5 and IB scores of 5, 6, or 7 may meet prerequisites only if scores are noted on an official university transcript

Deadlines

• Fall term: application deadline April 1; application opens December; prerequisite completion deadline August 15 prior to program start; program start months vary by campus (August, October, November)
• Spring term: application deadline July 1; application opens April; prerequisite completion deadline December 31 prior to program start; program start January (Sacramento and San Francisco Peninsula)
• Summer term: application deadline December 1; application opens August; prerequisite completion deadline December 31 prior to program start; program start May or June depending on campus
• Specific upcoming dates: November 15, 2025 (Spring 2026 application deadline); December 1, 2025 (Summer 2026 application deadline)

Application

• Apply via NursingCAS; application fee payable to NursingCAS: $60
• Official transcripts must be sent directly from each registrar to NursingCAS (NursingCAS, P.O. Box 9201, Watertown, MA 02471)
• Official, sealed transcripts required for courses that were in progress at time of application and not updated through NursingCAS Academic Update
• Non-refundable tuition deposit upon offer of admission: $350 to secure seat

Selection Process

• Applications reviewed against published admission criteria (degree, prerequisite grades, GPA, references, short answer responses)
• Acceptance contingent on meeting all course requirements and submission of required official transcripts

Cost & Financial Aid

• Application fee to NursingCAS: $60; non-refundable tuition deposit if admitted: $350
• ABSN students eligible for scholarships and student loans; federal and state grants not available for a second bachelor's degree
• Scholarships listed for ABSN students: Sharon Clark Diaz; Employee Campaign; Alumni Scholarship; Highsmith Scholarship; Huber Scholarship; Steele Scholarship; Osher Scholarship; Lewis Scholarship
• Financial aid application start: submit FAFSA; financial aid office phone: 510.879.9200

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical rotations required; participation requires completion of criminal background check and drug screening prior to clinical placement
• Criminal background check and drug screening initiated via CertifiedBackground.com and must be completed within 30 days per program instructions
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required (adult, infant, child with AED) prior to clinical participation
• Health insurance and required health documentation must be submitted by stated deadlines (health forms to be uploaded via the university health system; not accepted by mail/fax/email)

Credit Transfer

• Official transcripts required from all colleges attended for transfer credit evaluation; transcripts must be sent directly to NursingCAS
• Course equivalency tool available for local CSU, UC, and community college courses for ABSN prerequisites
• For prerequisite courses not listed in approved lists, applicants must submit course syllabus to the Office of Admission for approval
• AP and IB credit accepted only if exam scores appear on an official university transcript

Contacts

• Admission counselor: Joe Schaffernoth
• Admission counselor: Vanesa Sierra
• General phone for admissions/financial aid inquiries: 510.879.9200

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:

1. 66 semester units of transferable work (including pre-requisite courses)
2. GPA of 3.00 or higher on all college level course work (2.50 GPA for pre-requisite science courses)   
3. A minimum of 9 semester or 14 quarter units of academic courses (completed with a 2.50 GPA in the last two years)
4. TEAS scores
5. Letter of reference
6. Transfer students need to prove good standing and eligibility for continued enrollment at their former institution.
7. Basic life support certification for healthcare providers level obtained from the American Heart Association or AHA
8. 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 DNP program is accredited by the Senior Commission of WASC.

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

1. A baccalaureate Degree in nursing from an accredited college or university
2. Official transcripts for all undergraduate academic and practical coursework
3. Current, valid and unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse
4. Written statement expressing professional goals
5. Two letters of recommendation
6. Minimum of a ‘C’ grade in a statistics course
7. Computer literacy

The MSN program accepts 24 students every year. The application deadline for admission is the 15th of January.