Samuel Merritt University welcomes the opportunity to help you learn more about our Nursing Undergraduate Degree Programs. For general Admission resources such as visiting the University, Financial Aid and Housing, please visit our Admission Office. Prospective students can use the following methods to obtain information:
Virtual Drop In Counseling Now Available!
Virtual drop in counseling is available Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Click for more information on Virtual drop in counseling.
Admission Overview Sessions, ABSN and ELMSN programs
To learn more about either the ABSN or ELMSN programs, we offer regular admission overview sessions. The information is general in nature and will include information on admission requirements, prerequisites and the application process. You are encouraged to bring copies of all college level transcripts with you and you may leave them with an Admission Counselor who will check them for the required prerequisites and get back to you in 5-10 working days.
For the schedule of sessions, please view our event listing .
Counseling Appointments
Counseling appointments are seen on a regular basis at the main campus in Oakland and at or campuses in San Mateo, Sacramento and San Francisco. Appointments are available weekdays, during regular business hours. Please call 510-869-6576 to schedule your counseling appointment.
| Oakland Campus 370 Hawthorne Ave Oakland, CA | San Mateo Campus 1720 South Amphlett Boulevard, Suite 300 San Mateo, CA | San Francisco Campus 555 San Jose Ave San Francisco, CA | Sacramento Campus 2700 Gateway Oak Drive Sacramento, CA |
Course Finding Resources Prerequisites
SMU Prerequisite Course Offerings
Admission Checklist
Application
Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
Important Deadlines
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Completion of baccalaureate and all prerequisites by the designated prerequisite deadline for the term you are applying.
- Minimum 60 semester or 90 quarter unit GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Minimum science GPA (science prerequisites only) of 3.0 or higher
- Two letters of reference (see below)
- Basic computer word processing skills
- CPR - certification at the healthcare provider level, earned prior to the start of classes from the American Heart Association.
- TOEFL (U.S. citizens or international students) - The need for TOEFL will be assessed based on information provided by applicants on the application for admission, if required, a score of 100 (Internet Based Test) must be achieved and official score results must be provided.
- TEAS exam results must be available at the time of the application deadline. Applications without the TEAS or below the minimum will not be considered. For the Summer 2010 ABSN applicant pool only the Minimum Adjusted Individual Total Score must be above 78.7%. For those applying for the Fall 2010 ABSN program and beyond the minimum individual section scores are as follows: Composite: 74.7%; Reading: 87.5%; Math: 68.9%
Course Finding Resources
For a list of suggested acceptable courses at area community colleges, please click one of the links below. Please note that there are other course that will fulfill our prerequisites, these are just suggestions.
- Oakland / San Francisco Bay Area
- Challenge Exam and Online Course Resources
- International Academic Credential Evaluation Agencies (Please note that international students can only be admitted to study on the
Please note that Pharmacology and Pathophysiology are taught three times a year as online courses at Samuel Merritt University. They are offered in the spring, summer and fall semesters. They are designed for perspective students and are open to the public. You will find the information regarding the upcoming courses here. SMU Prerequisite Courses.
Program Prerequisites
While it is acceptable to have prerequisites in progress/planned at the time of application and all prerequisites must be completed by the dates stated below with proof of completion brought to New Student Orientation. Prerequisites may not be completed concurrently with the program; if you will not have prerequisites done by the stated time, you should apply for admission for a subsequent term. Your previous course work does not expire; there is no time limit to your courses.
CHANGE IN DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION OF PREREQUISITES EFFECTIVE WITH THOSE ENTERING SUMMER 2011
Please click for more information on these important changes.
The following prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of "C-" or above:
- English Composition/English Literature/English Critical Thinking (not Philosophy)
- 6 units
- Interpersonal Communication
(a public speaking course is not acceptable) - 3 units
- Introduction to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology
- 3 units
- Social Science Elective
(any anthropology, sociology, psychology or ethnic studies course beyond those required) - 3 units
- Statistics
- 3 units
- Life Span/Developmental Psychology
(content must cover birth to death) - 3 units
- Nutrition
- 3 units
- Human Anatomy with lab
- 4 units
- Human Physiology with lab
- 4 units
- Chemistry with lab
- 4 units
- Microbiology with lab
- 4 units
- Pharmacology (Approved list of places to take Pharmacology courses)
- Pathophysiology (Approved list of places to take Pathophysiology courses)
Please note that Pharmacology and Pathophysiology are taught three times a year as online courses at Samuel Merritt University. They are offered in the spring, summer and fall semesters. They are designed for perspective students to meet the prerequisite deadlines; you will find the information regarding the upcoming courses here. SMU Prerequisite Courses.
To be considered for admission the following items must be sent in one envelope with your application:
- Copies of all college transcripts (please include legends if available)
- $50 non-refundable fee
- Letters of reference: Two letters are required and should address academic preparedness for study in an intensive program and potential as a nurse. Suggested references are current or previous professors, a person in a supervisory position at current or previous places of employment and /or other persons, health care professionals are strongly preferred (not relatives) who know you well through volunteer or paid work experiences.
The ABSN application may be printed directly from the website using this link.
Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
** Beginning in May 2009, Samuel Merritt University will transition to administering the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) only. SMU will no longer administer the NET after April 2009. However, we will accept NET scores (instead of the TEAS) for the last time for those applying to BSN for spring 2010; ELMSN for spring 2010 and ABSN for summer 2010. After that, the NET will no longer be an acceptable test and all applicants must take the TEAS
The TEAS was developed to measure basic essential skills in the academic content area domains of reading, mathematics, science and English and language usage. These entry level skills were deemed important for nursing program applicants by a panel of nursing program curriculum experts. The TEAS is required of all applicants to the BSN, ABSN and ELMSN programs at SMU. The TEAS is used as part of the application review process. Therefore, all applicants must have TEAS scores on file by the application deadline date. Applications will not be reviewed without a TEAS score. You are encouraged to plan ahead to take the TEAS!
Please click here for a list of TEAS FAQs .
Important Deadlines for Prerequisite Completion and Applications*
| Campus (Start Term) | Postmark Application Deadline | Prerequisite Completion Deadline |
| Sacramento (January) | July 1 | By the end of fall term prior to entry |
| San Francisco (April) | November 1 | By the end of fall or winter term prior to entry |
| San Francisco (November) | March 1 | By the end of summer term prior to entry |
| Oakland (May) | November 1 | By the end of fall or winter term prior to entry |
| San Mateo (June) | November 1 | By the end of spring term prior to entry |
| San Mateo (January) | July 1 | By the end of fall term prior to entry |
CHANGE IN DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION OF PREREQUISITES EFFECTIVE WITH THOSE ENTERING SUMMER 2011
Please click for more information on these important changes.
* Exceptions may be considered if:
A prerequisite course is being completed at Samuel Merritt University and will be completed prior to the start of the term for which you are applying. Human Anatomy with lab, Human Physiology with lab, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology are typically taught at Samuel Merritt University fall, spring and summer terms.