
Samuel Merritt University holds institutional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission, commonly called WSCUC. Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole; it does not mean that every professional program has the same separate approval or accreditation.
Professional programs may also be reviewed by field-specific bodies. Relevant examples include the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education for nursing programs, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education for physical therapy, the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education for occupational therapy, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant for physician assistant education, and the Council on Podiatric Medical Education for podiatric medicine. Applicants should confirm the specific degree's current accreditation or approval status, particularly if they intend to seek a license in another state.
Institutional accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and to how other institutions assess transfer credit. Neither accreditation nor completion of a degree automatically guarantees that another college will accept credits or that a graduate will qualify for a professional license; state boards can impose additional requirements.
Admission to Samuel Merritt University is program-specific. Applicants generally need an application, official academic transcripts, and evidence that they have completed the prerequisites for their chosen healthcare program; some pathways also require a prior degree, references, a statement, or documented experience.
For a bachelor's-level pathway, applicants should expect to document high school completion or an equivalent credential as well as relevant college coursework. Graduate and professional programs place greater emphasis on prior college study, specified science courses, and their own academic standards. The university does not have an open-admission policy. A single university-wide SAT or ACT threshold should not be assumed for programs that primarily admit transfers or graduates.
Application platforms, prerequisite grades, tests, interviews, English-language proficiency rules, and deadlines can vary by program and entry term. Before applying, compare the current program checklist with your transcript and confirm whether courses still in progress may satisfy prerequisites. For clinical programs, admission requirements may be followed by separate requirements for immunizations, background screening, or placement eligibility.
An institutional admissions figure lists a $60 application fee for Samuel Merritt University. Applicants should not assume that this is the total charge for every program: health-professions applications may be submitted through centralized application services that set their own fees.
Check the payment screen and current instructions for the exact degree before submitting. If paying the fee would be a hardship, ask the program's admissions office and, where applicable, the centralized application service about fee-waiver eligibility and the request process before payment. A waiver from one organization should not be assumed to cover a separate service or supplemental application fee.
Samuel Merritt University does not identify ROTC as one of its own academic programs. Applicants interested in Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC should not assume that a unit operates on the Oakland campus or that cross-enrollment is available for their degree.
ROTC participation through a nearby host institution, if permitted, would require confirmation from both that unit and Samuel Merritt University. This matters for students in tightly scheduled clinical programs: ROTC classes and training must fit alongside laboratory and placement obligations. Scholarship eligibility, enrollment rules, and any resulting military service commitment are determined by the relevant ROTC program, not by ordinary university admission.
Transfer applicants can bring eligible coursework from other accredited institutions to Samuel Merritt University, but admission and credit acceptance are separate decisions. The university's healthcare pathways commonly depend on completing particular prerequisites, not simply reaching a minimum total of college credits.
Applicants should submit official transcripts from every college attended and compare completed courses with the intended program's prerequisite list. A course may transfer as credit without satisfying a required anatomy, chemistry, statistics, or other specified prerequisite. Published transfer information indicates that fall and spring entry may be possible, although the available start terms depend on the program. The university reports accepting some credit recommendations from the American Council on Education; applicability to a degree still requires evaluation.
For a usable transfer-credit decision, ask the program or registrar for an official evaluation of specific courses and confirm any minimum grade, course age limit, laboratory requirement, or minimum number of credits that must be completed at Samuel Merritt. Students considering nursing or another licensed profession should also ask how transferred coursework affects the planned sequence and expected completion date.
A conventional semester-abroad pathway should not be assumed at Samuel Merritt University. Its professional curricula and required clinical experiences can make an extended period away harder to fit into a degree plan than at a general-purpose university.
Students interested in international study or healthcare experiences should ask their program whether it currently approves faculty-led travel, a partner opportunity, or an independently arranged experience for academic credit. Approval needs to come before committing to travel or outside coursework; clinical placements may have additional supervision, insurance, and licensing constraints. Financial aid eligibility also depends on whether the activity is an approved part of the student's program.
Application fee
$60Early Decision
NoEarly Action
NoHigh school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
NoOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
YesCredit for life experiences
NoAdvanced placement (AP) credits
NoOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesOff-campus study
YesStudy abroad
NoWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
NoPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
NoAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, SpringData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.