Discover Our Transformative Programs

Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) are becoming increasingly crucial in healthcare. Faced with an aging population, the rise of chronic diseases, and the demand for accessible, high-quality care, FNPs are at the forefront of addressing these challenges. The FNP Certificate Program focuses on providing comprehensive training for MSN-prepared nurses. The FNP certificate curriculum enables nurses to quickly adapt to the dynamic needs of the healthcare environment, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge to make a significant impact on patient lives and the broader healthcare community.

W

If you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree in another field and wish to pursue a career in nursing, SMU’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program may be right for you. The fast-track format was designed to build upon your previous learning and professional experience, allowing you to complete your BSN in just about 12 months. 

This intensive, short-term program includes a mix of theory and clinical education, giving you both the knowledge and skills you’ll need to transition into your new career. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for

Nurses are a vital part of the healthcare system, and they are in high demand. The U.S. Department of Labor projects the field of nursing will grow 15 percent through 2026, much faster than the average for all other occupations.

Our two-year nursing program is designed for students who have completed their general education and prerequisite courses at another institution. So when you begin at SMU, you’ll be ready to participate in hands-on learning experiences sooner. Your clinical courses will take you into hospital and community settings, giving you plenty of opportunities to put theory into

Nurses with bachelor’s degrees often have higher earning potential than their counterparts with an associate degree. As demand for nurse leaders continues to rise, a BSN could make you more desirable for supervisory roles and other increased responsibilities. 

Created for Working Nurses

Our 20-month program allows you to earn your degree part-time, while also maintaining your career. As a current nurse, you already have a solid foundation, and you’ll be able to use your previous academic and professional experience as you continue your education. 

In our BSN program, you’ll deepen your knowledge

The Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing (ELMSN) program is designed for those who have already earned a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field and seek to shift careers or pursue a new academic goal. Currently, there are two career paths for ELMSN students: Case Management (CM) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).

The Case Management option prepares professional nurses to practice in a variety of health care settings. Graduates will build on their varied academic and experiential backgrounds to provide nursing care with an interdisciplinary case management focus. Strong advocacy

The ELMSN program is designed for those who have already earned a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field and seek to shift careers or pursue a new academic goal. Currently, SMU offers two career training paths for ELMSN students: Family Nurse Practitioner and Case Management. Family nurse practitioners provide primary care across a patient's life span, focusing on health promotion, disease prevention, health maintenance, and management of health problems. Nurse practitioners work in a variety of clinical settings, including outpatient clinics, ambulatory care settings, emergency departments

Health services management is about getting things accomplished and the practical application of cutting-edge administrative knowledge to improve the access and delivery of healthcare. The Master of Health Administration (MHA) at Samuel Merritt University brings together people from all over the world who are committed to improving healthcare with innovative ideas that respond to their specific contexts and needs, as well as learning how to navigate the international healthcare system. Our graduates are equipped to make a difference locally and globally.  

Why SMU?  

Our MHA is more than a

Samuel Merritt University’s Master of Science in Nursing program offers a case management track. This specialty is ideal for nurses who would like to advance into a leadership position or focus on improving care delivery at the individual, family, or population level.

Nurses specializing in case management help guide patients and their families or caregivers to find and access the most optimal and affordable treatment plan. This process often includes educating patients about their conditions and helping them navigate the health care system. Case managers also advocate for their patients by

The Master of Science in Nursing - Clinical Leadership Education (MSN-CLE) program is designed to address the national nursing shortage and meet the urgent need for graduate prepared nursing faculty across the United States. This program elevates clinical leadership expertise and informatics knowledge for practicing nurses throughout all settings.  

As a master's prepared nurse, you will be at the forefront of technological advancements in nursing education to include best practices in wellness, unitary caring science, curriculum development, learning assessment, simulation, and virtual reality

In a healthcare landscape that is continuously evolving, the significance of MSN-FNPs is increasingly vital. As healthcare faces challenges such as an aging population, rising chronic diseases, and the need for accessible, high-quality care, MSN-FNPs are instrumental in navigating this transformation. Their comprehensive training equips them to address these challenges effectively, playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare. MSN-FNPs blend clinical expertise with a nuanced understanding of patient and healthcare system needs, positioning them to drive innovative care models and

The COA requires that all students matriculating into a nurse anesthesia educational program on January 1, 2022, or thereafter be enrolled in a program approved by the COA to award a practice doctoral degree.

The Class of 2023 matriculated in the fall 2021 semester and is the final Nurse Anesthesia MSN cohort at SMU. We are no longer accepting applications for the Nurse Anesthesia MSN Program. 

If you are interested in our Anesthesia-DNP Program please visit the Anesthesia Doctorate of Practice information page. 

The COA requires that all students matriculating into a nurse anesthesia educational program on January 1, 2022, or thereafter be enrolled in a program approved by the COA to award a practice doctoral degree.

The Class of 2023 matriculated in the fall 2021 semester and is the final Nurse Anesthesia MSN cohort at SMU. We are no longer accepting applications for the Nurse Anesthesia MSN Program. 

If you are interested in our Anesthesia-DNP Program please visit the Anesthesia Doctorate of Practice information page. 

BLOGS

The SMU Master of Social Work program (MSW) provides students comprehensive training to become integrated health, behavioral health, and medical social workers.  

This is a three-year, part-time, hybrid (online and campus-based) program. It is the goal of the program to draw a student body from the extensive cultural, ethnic, and social diversity of the Bay Area and California at large, who have experiences of living, coping, and thriving amid the sociopolitical complexities surrounding the delivery of health services. 

Samuel Merritt University received a $1,487,750 three-year grant from

Mission Statement:  The Master Physician Assistant Department at Samuel Merritt University strives to serve the University and the medical community by preparing graduates who are interdependent medical providers, demonstrate commitment to the community and the profession through active leadership, manifest critical and creative thinking, utilize effective communication skills, and who possess the educational foundation for continued growth and development in a changing world of diverse cultures.

Program Learning Outcomes:  All graduates of the SMU PA Program are expected to demonstrate

At Samuel Merritt University, we are committed to shaping the future of podiatric medicine through comprehensive education, hands-on experience, and a specialized curriculum tailored for graduates from medical and dental programs in the US, Canada and further abroad.  The Bridge to Podiatric Residency program (BPR) encompasses a range of courses and rotations to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills required to become a podiatrist.   

Join the Next Generation of Podiatrists 

Are you seeking a medical career that offers great work-life flexibility? Do you want to become a surgeon

In an era where the landscape of healthcare is rapidly evolving, the role of DNP-FNPs has never been more crucial. As healthcare systems grapple with complex challenges such as an aging population, increased prevalence of chronic diseases, and a pressing need for accessible, quality care, DNP-FNPs stand at the forefront of this transformation. Their advanced training not only prepares them to meet these challenges head-on but also positions them as key players in shaping the future of healthcare. By integrating clinical excellence with an understanding of patient and healthcare system needs

Samuel Merritt University’s Doctor of Nursing Practicing (DNP) program prepares leaders at the highest level of nursing practice to improve healthcare outcomes and translate evidence-based research into practice. SMU’s DNP Post-Master's program was developed for all advanced practice nurses—such as nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives, case managers, nursing health policy leaders, academia, education, and nurses in other advanced nursing roles such as organizational leadership and administration.

Our DNP is designed for nurses seeking a doctoral

As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Doctor Nurse Practitioner scholar, you will be educated to offer evidence-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacology—merging the roles of psychiatrist and psychologist—with patients’ best interest at heart. 

After completing SMU's program, you'll function autonomously in a variety of clinical settings and develop knowledge, skills and expertise in health promotion, prevention, and treatment of psychiatric disorders within all types of patients and groups. 

As an advanced-practice nurse, you’ll learn the organizational, economic, and

If you are a critical care registered nurse (RN) looking for greater autonomy and are drawn to providing more advanced care to patients, becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) might be right for you.

CRNAs provide anesthesia care in a number of medical settings, including operating rooms, outpatient centers, emergency rooms, delivery rooms, and dental offices. Our program prepares graduates for a full-scope, evidence-based anesthesia practice with advanced nursing knowledge, leadership, and health policy training, as well as the translational research skills to improve

Physical therapists (PTs) are movement experts who play an important role in today's healthcare system. As a PT, you'll help improve everyday life for clients of all ages through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education about how to prevent or manage their condition.  PTs use treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. PTs also work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.

The Doctor of Physical