Bachelor of Science in Nursing Freshman Entry

The admission process begins as Freshmen students apply directly to Holy Names University [1], Mills College [2] (women only), or Saint Mary's College [3]. 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 College as a transfer student for the nursing and clinical portion of your education. The nursing and clinical courses at Samuel Merritt College will be completed in two years. You then graduate with a BSN degree from Samuel Merritt College.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Transfer Entry

Samuel Merritt College 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.

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.

Apply Online [4]

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.
• Minimum score of 55 on the Nurse Entrance Test at the time of application. Section scores minimums may also be established.
• 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.

Nurse Entrance Test

At Samuel Merritt College we take student success seriously. In the nursing program, those outcomes are measured not only by graduation rates, but by passing scores on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) which is required to become a registered nurse. Research has shown that there is a positive correlation between scores achieved on the NET and passing the NCLEX. The NET must be completed and a score of 55 achieved prior to application. More information on the NET [5] and the schedule for the administration of the NET is available on the Samuel Merritt College website.

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 College, please check the home page of the website for current information.