Bachelor of Science in Nursing Admission Process

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Freshman Entry

The admission process begins as Freshmen students apply directly to Holy Names University, Mills College (women only), or Saint Mary's College. Students must meet all regular admission requirements for each institution, and complete two years of pre-nursing course work following a set curriculum of liberal arts and sciences. After completing these courses with at least an overall, cumulative GPA of 3.0, you will be eligible to be granted admission to Samuel Merritt University as a transfer student for the nursing and clinical portion of your education. The nursing and clinical courses at Samuel Merritt University will be completed in two years. You then graduate with a BSN degree from Samuel Merritt University.


Transfer Entry

Samuel Merritt University will continue to admit direct entry transfer students from the community college and other universities on a space available basis in fall and spring. The admission is as a first semester junior and it will take 4 semesters to complete the program. Below are the admission requirements and prerequisites necessary for consideration. These are subject to change without notice.

Virtual Drop In Counseling Now Available!

Virtual drop in counseling is available Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (all programs except DPM) and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (DPM only).  Click for more information on Virtual drop in counseling.

Applying For Admission

The fall entry deadline is March 1; the spring entry deadline is September 1. After the deadline, applications may be accepted on a space available basis. Contact the Office of Admission for further information once the deadline has passed.

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Admission Information

To be considered for admission, prospective students must meet the following criteria:

  • A minimum of 66 semester units of transferable work including all prerequisites by the time of entry into the program
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher and a prerequisite science GPA of 2.50 or higher. The exact GPA required for admission will vary by term depending on the applicant pool
  • At least one term with a minimum of 9 semester or 14 quarter units of academic courses completed in the past 2 years with a GPA for the term of 2.50 or better.
  • TEAS exam results must be available at the time of the application deadline.  Minimum score levels are in the process of being established and may vary by term.  Applications without the TEAS or with TEAS scores meeting our minimum will not receive consideration.
  • The need for TOEFL will be assessed based on information provided by applicants on the application for admission. If required, a score of 79 (Internet Based Test) must be achieved and official score results provided.
  • Letter of reference
  • If you have attended a nursing program at another college or university, a statement explaining your reasons for seeking a transfer will be required. Additionally, a letter from the Dean or Director of your nursing program indicating that you are in good standing and eligible for continued enrollment in the nursing program will be required.
  • CPR - Basic life support certification at the healthcare provider level from the American Heart Association or AHA approved course earned prior to the start of classes.
Test of Essential Academic Skills (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!

Prerequisites

All prerequisites must be completed, in progress or planned at the time of application and must be completed before the program starts. It is not possible to complete any prerequisites concurrently with the BSN program. The following prerequisites must be completed with a "C-" or better and can only be repeated one time:

  • Human Anatomy with Lab*
  • Human Physiology with Lab*
  • Microbiology with Lab
  • Chemistry with Lab (minimum of 4 semester units; biochemistry content preferred but not required)
  • English Composition (equivalent to English 1A)
  • English Literature/Critical Thinking (equivalent to English 1B or English 1C)
  • Interpersonal Communication (a public speaking course is not acceptable)
  • General Sociology or Cultural Anthropology
  • General Psychology
  • Statistics
  • Life Span Developmental Psychology (content to include all ages, i.e. birth through death)
  • Nutrition
  • Fine Arts (Theory) Class (example: Art History or History of Music; not painting or piano)
  • Introduction to Philosophy, Ethics or Bioethics (one class only)
  • 1 Humanities elective (example: Humanities course, religious studies, foreign language, theory courses in art, music or theatre, or an additional philosophy course)
  • American History (any time period)
  • Modern World History (1865 to Present)
  • Course in Diversity (culture, gender, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation; no specific department required)

*These courses are often taught at Samuel Merritt University, please check the home page of the website for current information.