Students walking around Lake Merritt

Outstanding Academics

Prepare for your career in the medical field at a nationally recognized institution. Samuel Merritt University offers high-quality health sciences programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.

Create Healthier Communities, One Patient at a Time

SMU offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and podiatric medicine.

Our curriculum is rooted in our school’s mission to educate students to become highly skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals. Students learn to transform the experience of care with kindness and respect, and to advance the health equity and well-being of diverse populations and communities.

We believe in a well-rounded health sciences education. No matter what program you’re interested in, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning and service work embedded into your curriculum.
 

Featured Events

SMU Advantage

Respected in the community, we're known across the country for our premier health sciences education.

94%

Graduation Rate

Our dedicated students have a higher-than-average completion rate of their degree programs.

4 Doctoral Programs

SMU offers four doctoral programs: occupational therapy, physical therapy, podiatric medicine, and nursing practice.

86%

SMU Students Receiving Financial Aid

We’re committed to making your health care education affordable.

Physical Therapist in lab with patient

College of Health Sciences

We're training a new generation of highly skilled health sciences students as kinesiologists, physician assistants, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. 

Come Join Us
Two mail nurse pose

College of Nursing

SMU excels in training future nurses and nurse practitioners. We offer several nursing degree options, including bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral degrees. We also offer online and accelerated program options.

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Podiatry students conduct stride test

College of Podiatric Medicine

Our College of Podiatric Medicine prepares students to specialize in foot and ankle diseases, disorders, and injuries.

More About Podiatry
Nursing student listens to heart

Online Programs

Flexible and convenient, our online programs were designed for working health care professionals.

What We Offer

Trained to Lead

SMU has been at the forefront of health professions education for more than 100 years.