International Applicants

Internationally Educated Nurses

Meeting California Licensure Requirements

Samuel Merritt University offers internationally educated nurses the opportunity to complete courses required by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) to become eligible for the NCLEX licensure examination.

To begin the process:

• Complete the required application.
• Include a copy of your letter from the California Board of Registered Nursing or other applicable licensing board.
• Submit your completed application to the address listed on the form.

Application Process

• Please click here for the application to use if you are an internationally trained nurse who needs to take classes to meet BRN requirements to take the NCLEX.  Please print the application, complete it, and return it to the address indicated on the form.
• Attach a copy of the letter from the Board of Registered Nursing or other licensing boards.

Once you're approved to enroll, you'll need to complete additional requirements before participating in clinical experiences. Please note that as a non-matriculated student, you will not be eligible for financial aid.

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen: A criminal background check and a drug screening are required to participate in clinical rotations. To initiate your background check and drug screening, visit this website and complete the process as required within 30 days. If you have questions about the process, please call CertifiedBackground.com customer service at 888.666.7788.

Medical Insurance Coverage: SMU's Office of Admission office is no longer requiring proof of medical insurance for entry into a program. However, not having medical insurance may delay or exclude you from being able to attend clinicals and may jeopardize your eligibility to continue your studies/program. Obtaining medical insurance will be each student's responsibility. 

If you have any questions about this process, or need more specific information please contact your Admission Counselor.

CPR Certification: Certification must be from the American Heart Association and you must complete the Basic Life Support BLS module (adults, infants, and children). You may go to any provider for these classes but the University has a partnership with HeartStart CPR that includes discounted pricing.

Required Health Forms: Every student must complete the Student Health Forms, which lists the health requirements for incoming students. Please visit the Student Health and Counseling webpage to review requirements for your program. 

Once matriculated, students may access the Student Health Portal to enter health information, as well as upload all the required supporting documents. In order to avoid a registration hold, please submit all your health requirements as soon as possible after being accepted into the program, but no later than 30 days before your program start date. All health information must be submitted online. Documents submitted by mail, fax, or email will not be accepted and your documents will not be returned.

If you have any questions please contact us.

If you have a disability-related reason that prevents you from fulfilling any of these requirements, please contact the Disability Resource Center at drc@samuelmerritt.eduto schedule a private conversation.

International Student Eligibility

By federal law, Samuel Merritt University is authorized to enroll nonimmigrant students.

Student Visas and Timeline for International Applications

We strongly encourage international applicants, including Canadian citizens, to observe the admissions deadlines for their program of interest as it can take up to three months to obtain a student visa. 

Tests: TOEFL and MCAT

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all international medical graduates applying for the Master Physician Assistant program, Doctor of Physical Therapy program, and Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. TOEFL scores may also be required for some applicants seeking to enroll in nursing courses.

For the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program, international students must have taken the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).  

Learn more

Transcripts

All international academic transcripts must be evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluations Services (NACES) for degree, course content, semester unit equivalencies, and science and cumulative GPAs prior to the application deadline. 

Learn more 

Coursework in the U.S.

While not required, Samuel Merritt University strongly encourages international graduate and doctoral applicants to complete one semester of graduate or undergraduate work at a U.S.-based college or university before beginning studies at SMU. 

Program Costs and Financial Aid

Financial aid is not available for international students, and a certification of finances verifying the ability to provide for the costs associated with the chosen course of study must be provided by all accepted applicants.