Program Overview
- Program Duration
- 20-months (5 Trimesters)
- Format
- Hybrid Online
- Accreditation
- WSCUC
- Curriculum
- 60 units total
Important Application Deadlines
-
NOV 15
November 15, 2026
Spring 2027 Priority Application Deadline
-
NOV 29
November 29, 2026
Spring 2027 Final Application Deadline
-
MAR 22
March 22, 2027
Summer 2027 Priority Application Deadline
Key Points of Contact
-
Admission
-
Brent Dondalski
Admission Counselor
What is SMU's Bachelor of Health Sciences Program?
SMU's BHS is designed for students who have already completed most lower-division coursework and are ready to finish their bachelor's degree. Students gain:
- A broad healthcare foundation spanning health sciences, public health, and healthcare systems.
- Flexible online and hybrid learning with the opportunity to complete the program in as little as 20 months.
- Multiple educational pathways that support career advancement or continued graduate and professional education.
Ready to apply? Get your admission decision the same day.
Join SMU’s Instant Decision Day and apply with no application fee. Register now
Why Choose the Samuel Merritt University BHS Program?
Students can build on previous college coursework while completing a bachelor's degree designed around the changing needs of healthcare. Flexible learning and multiple pathways allow students to pursue their professional goals while preparing for career advancement or further education.
#1
Best Career Prospects
#1 University in CA for post-grad jobs.
#1
Early-Career Salaries
Forbes ranks us #1 for early-career salaries.
86%
Employers Prefer SMU
86% of employers prefer hiring SMU grads.
Admission
What you'll need to apply.
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Complete the 24 prerequisite units with a grade of C or higher.
To earn the Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHS) degree, students must:
- Complete a total of 120 units, including 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units) completed outside of Samuel Merritt University (SMU) and the 60 units in the BHS curriculum.
Transfer Credit:
- Students may request transfer credit for coursework equivalent to a course in the BHS curriculum.
- If approved, the transfer credit will apply toward the 60-unit BHS curriculum.
- Students must still complete a total of 60 semester units outside of SMU to meet degree requirements.
Full-time students who apply by 11/15/2026, receive $1,000 in scholarships --$500 Spring 2027 + $500 Summer 2027.
Book a 1-1 with an admission counselor to inquire about an application fee waiver
Financial Aid
Investing in your next step.
Many Bachelor of Health Sciences students use scholarships, grants, loans, employer tuition assistance, and other financial aid to complete their undergraduate degree.
Samuel Merritt University works closely with students throughout the financial aid process—from completing the FAFSA to understanding scholarship opportunities and developing a financial plan that supports their educational goals.
Scholarships for BHS students include:
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
- Federal Direct Graduate Loans
In addition to tuition and fees, financial aid can also cover:
- Books and supplies
- Room and board
- Transportation
- Personal expenses
- Other fees as determined by program/college
Your financial aid package at Samuel Merritt University is personalized to you. We develop your financial aid package using guidelines set by the Department of Education and the estimated costs of each program. Once you receive your financial aid package, check the budget against your actual living expenses, and we can make necessary adjustments to meet your needs.
Detailed information about financial aid, budgeting, total cost, and application processes is available using the button below.
Cost
For the current expected cost of the Bachelor of Health Sciences program, please
download the Full 2026-2027 Tuition Guide. Samuel Merritt University strives to support the future of
healthcare through financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Learn more about the support available for you:
Prerequisites
- Applicants are required to complete and submit transcripts for 60 units of undergraduate coursework before graduating with a Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) from SMU. Students may matriculate in the BHS program if they have a minimum of 24 units, preferably all of the courses listed below, and meet all other admission criteria.
- Transcripts for all the following courses must be submitted with the application to the BHS program. Each of these undergraduate courses should be at least 3 units. Students wanting advice on how to select courses for the remaining 36 undergraduate units should reach out to an admissions counselor.
- One English Composition Course and one Critical Thinking course (2 English Composition courses accepted)
- Intro to Sociology or General Sociology (General Psychology accepted)
- 2 Social Science Electives (Cultural Anthropology, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Political Science, History…). If interested in pursuing a nursing degree, then one of these should be Lifespan Developmental Psychology that covers the full lifespan.
- One Humanities course (literature, philosophy, religion, languages, arts…)
- One General Biology with lab or Chemistry with lab (If interested in pursuing a nursing degree, then take Chemistry with lab)
- One Math course (If interested in pursuing a graduate degree, then this should be a statistics course)
- One English Composition Course and one Critical Thinking course (2 English Composition courses accepted)
Note: If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree after completing your BHS, please refer to the website of your graduate program of interest to determine which prerequisites you will need before applying. Reach out to an admission counselor for assistance.
Accreditation
Samuel Merritt University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501; 510.748.9001.
Curriculum
Course Number | BHS Course List | Units |
HS 3101 | US Healthcare System | 3 |
HS 3102 | Careers in Healthcare | 3 |
HS 3104 | Professional Ethics and Integrity | 3 |
HS 3106 | Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
HS 3110 | Intro to Public Health | 3 |
HS 3111 | Structural and Social Determinants of Health | 3 |
HS 3112 | Advocacy & Social Policy in Health | 3 |
HS 3115/3116 | Human Anatomy + Lab | 4 |
HS 3118 | Pharmacology | 3 |
HS 3119 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
HS 3121 | Health and Culture | 3 |
HS 3122 | Health Across the Lifespan | 3 |
HS 3123 | Current Trends in Health | 2 |
HS 3125/3126 | Human Physiology and Lab | 4 |
HS 3135/3136 | Neuroscience and Lab | 4 |
HS 3140 | Communications for Healthcare Professionals | 3 |
HS 3150 | Principles of Nutrition | 3 |
HS 3191 | Student Success: Learning and Teaching | 1 |
HS 3192 | Student Success: Wellness | 1 |
HS 3193 | Student Success: Professional Development | 1 |
HS 3197 | Capstone Preparation | 1 |
HS 3198 | Capstone Project | 3 |
Total Units | 60 | |
More About This Program
Program Outcomes
- Integrate theoretical knowledge, scientific evidence, and practical skills to mitigate illness and injuries and optimize health for individuals of diverse abilities and backgrounds
- Identify healthcare industry dynamics and trends influencing the provision, coverage, and access to care
- Apply principles of ethical decision-making to navigate complex scenarios and challenges within the field of health science
- Use research methods to analyze data for informed decision-making in diverse healthcare settings
- Construct and express ideas, thoughts, and concepts through written and verbal communication in professional settings.
- Analyze the interplay between the contextual factors influencing health outcomes and their impact on individual and community health
- Explain how cultural competence and humility can improve health access and outcomes within diverse populations
- Describe the breadth of occupations in the healthcare industry and engage in personal and professional strategies to achieve and sustain career satisfaction and well-being
