Samuel Merritt University

Samuel Merritt University (SMU) is a private university focused on health sciences with its main campus in Oakland, California, and other facilities in Sacramento, San Mateo and Fresno. It was an affiliate of the Sutter Health Network and Alta Bates Summit Medical Center until becoming a wholly independent institution in January, 2022, upon its disaffiliation from Sutter Health. It is the only provider of physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physician assistants and is the largest source of nurses in the greater East Bay.[2][3] Formerly known as Samuel Merritt College, it was founded in 1909 as a hospital school of nursing. Today, it stands as a comprehensive health sciences university, encompassing three colleges: College of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, and College of Podiatric Medicine

For the similarly named community college which also has a nursing program located in Oakland, see Merritt College.
Samuel Merritt University
TypePrivate university
Established1909 (1909)
Endowment$49.1 million (2020)[1]
Academic staff
204
Undergraduates768
Postgraduates736
502
Location
Oakland
,
California
,
United States

37°49′15.53″N 122°15′49.56″W
CampusUrban
Websitewww.samuelmerritt.edu

History

Samuel Merritt University was founded in 1909 through the legacy of Samuel Merritt.

In recent years, Samuel Merritt has increased its enrollment from 146 to over 2,000 graduate and undergraduate students[4] and added new programs in the health sciences.

The Intercollegiate Nursing Program with Saint Mary's was established in 1981.[5] Samuel Merritt College established the entry-level Master of Physical Therapy in 1990, the Master of Occupational Therapy in 1992. The College also offers a Master of Science in Nursing three advanced nursing specialties: Case Management, Family nurse practitioner (FNP), and Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA). In 2005, the department of Physical Therapy graduated its first Doctor of Physical Therapy class.

The university started the Master Physician Assistant program in 1999, the first entry-level graduate program for physician assistants in California, and in 2002 established the California School of Podiatric Medicine. In 2023, SMU added three new programs: a Master of Social Work, a Bachelor in Kinesiology, and a Master of Science in Nursing-Clinical Leadership Education.

Academics
Samuel Merritt University

SMU is a university dedicated to health sciences, including three at the undergraduate level in nursing and kinesiology. Podiatric medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing practice are all offered at the doctoral level while the physician assistant program is offered at the master's level.[6] The university's average graduation rate is 95 percent and student scores on licensure pass rates are 90 percent or above for first-time test takers in six programs.[7]

Accreditation

The university is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)[8] and its programs are accredited by their corresponding accreditation bodies:

School/department Program(s) Accreditation
College of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)

RN to BSN

Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing (ELMSN)

  • Case Management
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Master of Science in Nursing (Post Professional)

  • Case Management
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
  • Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA)
  • Clinical Leadership Education

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
  • Psychiatric Mental Health
  • Online
 Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education[9]

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN); Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN); Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) Approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing [10]

College of Podiatric Medicine Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) Council on Podiatric Medical Education[11]
College of Health Sciences Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology - Sports Medicine

Master of Physician Assistant Program

Master of Social Work

Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Doctor and Master of Occupational Therapy Program

 Master of Physician Assistant Program: Accreditation Review Commission on Education[12]

Doctor of Physical Therapy Progam: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)[13]

Doctor and Master of Occupational Therapy Program: Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)[14]

References
  1. As of June 30, 2020. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  2. For the 2007/2008 academic year, 355 Samuel Merritt nursing graduates took the NCLEX exam compared with CSU East Bay - 83, Merritt College - 43, Chabot College - 34, Ohlone College - 50, Contra Costa College - 81, Los Medanos College - 46, and Unitek College - 36
  3. "About Samuel Merritt University". www.samuelmerritt.edu. Retrieved 2018-01-21.
  4. "Institutional Research - SMU Fact Sheet 2021 - 2022". 2021–2022. Oakland, CA. 2022-08-10. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. "History of Samuel Merritt University". www.samuelmerritt.edu. Retrieved 2018-01-21.
  6. "Physician Assistant Program". www.samuelmerritt.edu. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
  7. "About Samuel Merritt University". www.samuelmerritt.edu. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
  8. "Samuel Merritt University | WASC Senior College and University Commission". www.wscuc.org. Retrieved 2018-01-21.
  9. "CCNE-Accredited Nursing Degree Programs: California". American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  10. https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/academic-affairs/accreditation
  11. "California School of Podiatric Medicine Accreditation". www.samuelmerritt.edu. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
  12. https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/academic-affairs/accreditation
  13. https://aptaapps.apta.org/accreditedschoolsdirectory/AllPrograms.aspx
  14. https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/college-health-sciences/doctor-and-master-occupational-therapy
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