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Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Samuel Merritt University's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) is an intensive 12-month program for students ready to begin a nursing career. Through classroom learning, simulation, and clinical experience, students build the knowledge and skills needed to care for patients and prepare for professional nursing practice.

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Program Overview

Program Duration
1 Year (3 Semesters)
Format
On Campus
Accreditation
WSCUC, CCNE
Curriculum
Sequential Course Curriculum

Important Application Deadlines

  • APR 1

    April 1, 2026

    Summer 2026 Standard Application Deadline

    Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco Peninsula, Fresno

  • AUG 1

    August 1, 2026

    Fall 2026 Standard Application Deadline

    Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco Peninsula, Fresno

  • JUL 1

    July 1, 2026

    Spring 2027 Priority Application Deadline

    Sacramento, San Francisco Peninsula

Key Points of Contact

What is SMU's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program?

SMU's 12-month ABSN provides an accelerated path to a nursing degree through intensive academic and clinical education. Students gain:

  • Hands-on clinical experience caring for patients in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
  • Simulation-based learning that builds clinical judgment and confidence before and alongside patient care.
  • Preparation for the NCLEX-RN and the transition from nursing student to professional practice.

Why SMU for Nursing?

ABSN students learn in a university dedicated to healthcare education, with clinical preparation woven throughout the program. Simulation and hands-on experiences help students apply what they learn as they develop the judgment and confidence required for patient care. Students learn from experienced nursing faculty while completing clinical experiences with healthcare partners, preparing them to enter the profession after an intensive 12-month program.

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100%

Employment Rate Within One Year of Graduation

Our ABSN nursing graduates are heavily recruited professionals in their field.

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94%

NCLEX Pass Rate

Our graduates consistently exceed the state and national averages for first-time nursing licensure exam pass rates.

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103K

Median Annual Salary for California Nurses

A career in nursing is an investment in your future.

Life After SMU

Admission

Applicants are considered for admission to the ABSN program based upon the following criteria:

  • Completion of a minimum of 75 semester units (or 112.5 quarter units) from an accredited institution with a grade of “C” or better in all prerequisite courses.
  • A recommended GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units) of coursework and a recommended GPA of 3.0 across the six required science prerequisite courses.
  • A recommended HESI A2 score of 75% or higher in each subject area or TEAS score of 65% or higher in each subject area.
  • Short answer responses submitted with the application.
  • Students who have attended a nursing program at another college/university will need to submit a statement supported by a letter from the dean of your current nursing program explaining the reasons for the transfer. Students must be in good standing and eligible for continued enrollment in the current program.
Prerequisite Course Tool

Financial Aid

Your nursing education at Samuel Merritt University is a valuable investment in your future. Graduates have a low loan default rate, indicating successful employment in their chosen field.

To apply for financial aid at SMU, start by submitting your FAFSA. ABSN students are eligible for scholarships and student loans, but federal and state grants are not available for a second bachelor’s degree.

Scholarships for ABSN students include:

  • Sharon Clark Diaz
  • Alumni Scholarship
  • Huber Scholarship
  • Osher Scholarship
  • Employee Campaign
  • Highsmith Scholarship
  • Steele Scholarship
  • Lewis Scholarship

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.

Financial Aid Info

Cost

For the current expected cost of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing 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:

Tuition and Financial Aid All Nursing Scholarships

Prerequisites

Prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better by the terms listed in the table below. While having planned or in-progress courses at the time of application is acceptable, it's best for students to have as many courses completed as possible by then. Prerequisite courses cannot be taken concurrently with the ABSN program under any circumstances.

Prerequisite RequirementSemester Units
English Composition3.0
English Literature / Critical ThinkingCourses in Philosophy are not acceptable.3.0
Communication or Speech ElectiveAny communication or speech course is acceptable.3.0
Introduction to Sociology, General Sociology, or Cultural AnthropologyBiological Anthropology is not acceptable.3.0
Social Science ElectiveAnthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Political Science, History, etc.3.0
Lifespan Developmental PsychologyContent must cover birth to death; General Psychology does not meet the requirement.3.0
NutritionGeneral, broad-based course.3.0
StatisticsResearch methods courses are unacceptable.3.0
Human Anatomy with LabA combined A&P course can be used only if two combined A&P courses are completed (e.g. A&P I and A&P II).4.0
Human Physiology with LabA combined A&P course can be used only if two combined A&P courses are completed (e.g. A&P I and A&P II).4.0
Chemistry with Lab4.0 semester or 6.0 quarter units
Microbiology with Lab4.0
PharmacologyMust come from one of the approved lists of Pharmacology courses listed in the section below.Varies
PathophysiologyMust come from one of the approved lists of Pathophysiology courses listed in the section below.Varies

Prerequisite Course Articulation Tool

Wondering if you took the right courses as a local CSU, UC, or community college student? Use our new Prerequisite Course Articulation Tool to see which courses meet the prerequisite requirements for ABSN, BSN, and ELMSN programs.

Cohorts and Prerequisite Deadlines

Prerequisite completion deadlines vary by cohort and start term. Refer to the upcoming deadlines list above when planning your coursework.

Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Pathophysiology Courses at SMU

Samuel Merritt University offers prerequisite coursework in Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Pharmacology, and Pathophysiology. The courses are taught in the fall, spring, and summer terms and are designed for prospective students. More information can be found on the Undergraduate Prerequisite Course website.

AP and IB Exam Credits

AP exam scores of 3, 4, or 5 and IB exam scores of 5, 6, or 7 may be used to meet prerequisite requirements, but are only acceptable if the exam scores are clearly noted on an official university transcript.

Official Transcripts

Applicants must request that their official transcripts be sent directly to NursingCAS from their college or university’s registrar’s office. Applicants should follow the instructions provided in NursingCAS and may reference SMU’s Application Process for additional details.

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.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Samuel Merritt University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Baccalaureate Accreditation

Initial Accreditation Date
April 21, 2001
Most Recent Accreditation Date
November 2, 2020
Next On-Site Evaluation
Fall 2030
Last On-Site Evaluation
November 2020
Accreditation Term Expires
June 30, 2031

Curriculum

Samuel Merritt University's College of Nursing offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
 

(ABSN) program for candidates with higher degrees in other fields. The program recognizes individuals' past experiences and academic achievements and builds upon these assets, providing a way for graduates with non-nursing degrees to change careers efficiently.

The curriculum is designed to be completed in 12 months, with three semesters of intensive study. While different from the traditional BSN program, the ABSN program shares the same goals, learning outcome objectives, and foundational concepts.

Sequential Course Curriculum Course Descriptions

More About This Program

Program Resources

Licensure Exams, Graduation, and Employment Rates

Please refer to the University’s Student Success Measures webpage for licensure exam pass rates, graduation rates, employment rates, and additional success indicators. 

Student Handbook (PDF)

Post-Admission Requirements

Official Transcripts for Courses in Progress

All admitted students are required to provide official, sealed transcripts for courses that were still in progress or planned at the time of application and were not updated in the Academic Update Process through the NursingCAS system.

Acceptance is contingent on meeting all course requirements. Official transcripts are needed from all colleges attended, and must be mailed directly to NursingCAS by the issuing institution’s registrar’s office:

NursingCAS
P.O. Box 9201
Watertown, MA 02471


Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen

To participate in clinical rotations, you must undergo a criminal background check and drug screening. To initiate your background check and drug screening, visit this website and complete the required process within 30 days. If you have questions about the process, please call CertifiedBackground.com customer service at 888.666.7788.

Health Insurance

All students are required to have medical insurance coverage by their program’s first day of orientation. You can choose SMU’s plan or use your own, but you need to enroll or wait for SMU insurance using the Student Health and Counseling Center's tool. If you have not received a confirmation email within five days, contact Trish Ivey at 888.978.8355.

CPR Certification

Certification must be from the American Heart Association and be the Basic Life Support (BLS) module (must include adult, infant, and children). You may go to any provider for these classes, but the University has a partnership with HeartStart CPR including discounted pricing.

Required Health Forms

All students must complete Student Health Forms, which list the health requirements for incoming students. Please visit the Student Health Portal to enter your health information and upload the required supporting documents. To prevent a registration hold, please submit all health requirements soon after acceptance into the program but no later than 30 days before the 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 a disability-related reason that prevents you from fulfilling any of these requirements, please contact the Disability Resource Center at drc@samuelmerritt.edu to schedule a private conversation. 

Photo for ID Badge

Every student must submit a headshot photo for their ID badge. Instructions and specs for this photo will be provided after you receive your admitted student portal checklist/email.

All Cohort Application and Prerequisite Deadlines

Fall Term Application
Campus locations: Sacramento, San Francisco Peninsula*, Fresno, Oakland
Application opens: December
Prerequisites completion deadline: August 15 prior to program start
Program start: August (Sacramento), November (Oakland, San Francisco Peninsula, Fresno)
 

Spring Term Application
Campus locations: Sacramento, San Francisco Peninsula
Application opens: April
Prerequisites completion deadline: December 31 prior to program start
Program start: January (Sacramento, San Francisco Peninsula)
 

Summer Term Application
Campus locations: Sacramento, San Francisco Peninsula, Oakland, Fresno
Application opens: August
Prerequisites completion deadline: December 31 prior to program start
Program start: May (Sacramento, San Francisco Peninsula), July (Oakland, San Francisco Peninsula, Fresno)

*San Francisco Peninsula located in Foster City, CA

Prerequisite Pathophysiology Courses

Approved Pathophysiology Courses

These courses have been preapproved by the School of Nursing to meet the pathophysiology requirements. We strongly advise you to contact each school to find out about enrollment requirements and if courses are offered online, on-campus, telecourse, etc. You may take only the courses listed here. If you are considering taking a course that is not listed below, you must email the course syllabus to the Office of Admission at admission@samuelmerritt.edu and request that it be submitted for approval. For questions or concerns, please call the Office of Admission at 510.879.9200. Below is the name of the school, the course number, and the title of the course. 

Prerequisite Pharmacology Courses

Approved Pharmacology Courses

These courses are ones that have been pre-approved, by the School of Nursing, to meet the pharmacology requirements. We strongly advise you to contact each school to find out about enrollment requirements and if courses are offered online, on-campus, telecourse, etc. You may ONLY take courses listed here. If you are considering taking a course that is not listed below, you must email the course syllabus to the Office of Admission at admission@samuelmerritt.edu and request that it be submitted for approval. For questions or concerns please call the Office of Admission at 510.879.9200. Below is the name of the school, the course number and the title of the course. 

Note: Double asterisks ** indicate that the 2 unit course is approved by the faculty regardless of the number of units.

Technical Standards

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Technical Standards

The mission of Samuel Merritt University is to produce highly skilled and compassionate nursing professionals. Students are expected to develop a robust healthcare knowledge base and requisite clinical skills, with the ability to appropriately apply knowledge and skills, effectively interpret information, and contribute to patient-centered decisions across a broad spectrum of clinical situations in all settings. The following technical standards, in conjunction with the academic standards, are requirements for admission, promotion, and graduation. The term “candidate” refers to candidates for admission to any of the prelicensure programs as well as current students who are candidates for retention, progression, or graduation.

These requirements may be achieved with or without reasonable accommodations, the cost of which will be borne by the institution. These standards should not serve as a deterrent to any candidate with disabilities who desires to pursue baccalaureate-level education. Candidates with disabilities bring unique perspectives that contribute to the diversity of the student population and will create a diverse healthcare workforce of culturally competent practitioners who can meet the needs of their patients. Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center immediately to begin a confidential conversation about possible accommodations necessary to meet these standards. Fulfillment of the technical standards for graduation from any prelicensure nursing program does not guarantee that a graduate will be able to fulfill the technical requirements of any specific clinical position.

Technical Standards

Observational Skills

A candidate must acquire information as presented through demonstrations and experiences in foundational sciences. In addition, a candidate must be able to evaluate a patient accurately and assess relevant health, behavioral, and medical information. Candidates must be able to obtain and interpret information through comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessment of patients, correctly interpret diagnostic representations of patient data, and accurately evaluate patient conditions and responses in all clinical settings. 

Communication Skills

Candidates must exhibit interpersonal skills to enable effective care and collaboration for patients, including the ability to communicate effectively in English with all members of a multidisciplinary healthcare team, patients and their families, faculty, and staff. Candidates must be able to clearly and accurately communicate verbal and written information and accurately interpret verbal and non-verbal communication in a timely manner.

Patient Care Skills 

Candidates must be able to perform health assessment and physical examination skills. A candidate should be able to perform or direct basic laboratory tests (e.g., urinalysis), diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (e.g., venipuncture, placement of urinary catheters, electrocardiogram), and interpret findings. A candidate must be able to provide or direct general and emergency treatment for patients, and respond to emergency situations in a timely manner (e.g., cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of intravenous medications, application of pressure to arrest bleeding). Candidates must meet applicable safety standards for the environment and follow universal precaution procedures.

Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Cognitive Skills

Candidates must be able to learn through a variety of modalities, including but not limited to: lecture; group or team and collaborative activities; simulation; individual study; and use of computer technology. A candidate must effectively interpret, assimilate, and understand the complex information required to function within the prelicensure program’s curriculum. The candidate must be able to synthesize information both in person and via technology; interpret causal connections and make accurate, fact-based conclusions based on available data and information; formulate a plan of care; investigate the potential answers and outcomes; and reach appropriate and accurate practice decisions. A candidate must be able to find sources of knowledge and possess the ability to be a lifelong learner.

Behavioral Attributes, Social Skills, and Professional Expectations

A candidate must be able to exercise good judgment, promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the care of patients, and develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients, faculty, and fellow students in the learning community. The skills required to do so include the ability to effectively handle and manage heavy workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical practice and academia. Candidates are expected to exhibit professionalism, personal accountability, compassion, integrity, concern for others, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to accept and apply feedback, respect boundaries, and care for all individuals in a respectful and effective manner regardless of gender identity, age, race, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected status. Candidates should understand and function within the legal and ethical aspects of the nursing practice, including patient advocacy, and maintain and display ethical and moral behaviors commensurate with the role of a nurse and a Samuel Merritt University student in all interactions with patients, faculty, staff, students, and the public. Interest and motivation throughout the educational process are expected of all candidates.

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Oakland

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Oakland, CA 94607

800.607.6377

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Sacramento

2710 N. Gateway Oaks Dr.
Suite 360
Sacramento, CA 95833

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Fresno

1791 E. Fir Ave.
Fresno, CA 93720

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San Francisco Peninsula

999 E. Hillsdale Blvd.
Foster City, CA 94404

800.607.6377

A student takes SMU program online.

Online Programs

admission@samuelmerritt.edu

800.607.6377

Job Scam Warning

We have been made aware of fraudulent job postings and offers that may appear to come from Samuel Merritt University. Please note:

  • All legitimate job postings are listed exclusively on our official Careers page.
  • Our recruiters will always contact you from an @samuelmerritt.edu email address. We do not use personal email accounts.
  • We will never ask for payment, banking information, or personal identification documents as part of the hiring process.
  • If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a job posting or communication, please contact us directly at recruiting@samuelmerritt.edu.

We take these scams seriously and are working with authorities and online platforms to remove fraudulent listings. If you believe you have been targeted, we encourage you to report the incident to the FTC (in the U.S.) or your local authorities.