SMU and San Francisco State University Forge Strategic Partnership to Expand Healthcare Career Pathways
Samuel Merritt University (SMU) and San Francisco State University (SFSU)’s Pre-Health Professions Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program (PHPCP) announce a new partnership designed to streamline the journey from post-bac to graduate healthcare education. The collaboration establishes formal academic pathways between the two institutions, giving SFSU students a clear and supported route into select SMU graduate health programs.
As part of the collaboration, eligible students from SFSU’s PHPCP may receive added consideration when applying to participating Samuel Merritt University programs. Students may be considered for direct entry to select graduate programs, guaranteed interviews for select programs, and priority or additional admissions consideration.
To ease the transition, SFSU students will have access to an SMU admissions concierge—providing personalized guidance and consistent support throughout the application process. Additionally, SFSU students will receive an SMU application fee waiver.
The partnership opens pathways into a range of high-demand SMU graduate programs, including occupational therapy, podiatric medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, and pre-licensure nursing.
This reflects SMU and SFSU's broader commitment to expanding their network of institutional partnerships, creating structured pathways for students pursuing healthcare careers, and strengthening the healthcare workforce serving communities across the nation.
