Samuel Merritt University

Originally founded in 1909, Samuel Merritt University (SMU) is a fully accredited health sciences institution located in Oakland, California. The University offers degrees in nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and podiatric medicine. Samuel Merritt University is an affiliate of Sutter Health and Alta Bates Summit Medical Center.

Student enrollment is over 1,400, with campuses in Oakland, Sacramento and San Mateo. The University strives to reflect the community it serves by recruiting students with a variety of ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds.

Samuel Merritt has a strong reputation for personalized instruction because of its outstanding faculty, who bring impressive academic and clinical backgrounds to life-long learning, and a deep commitment to students and to the community.

Due to the University’s reputation for academic and clinical excellence, its graduates are heavily recruited, and have one of the highest rates of employment within one year of graduation.

Samuel Merritt University is the largest source of new registered nurses in California. The University is also the largest provider of physical and occupational therapists, physician assistants and podiatric physicians in the greater East Bay.

Samuel Merritt University graduates' passing scores on licensure and certification exams exceed state and national rates.

Samuel Merritt University offers two clinical doctoral programs, including podiatric medicine and physical therapy. A doctor is nursing practice degree will enroll its first class in January 2011 pending approval by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.