Academic and Healthcare Partnerships | Samuel Merritt University
Academic and Healthcare Partnerships
Samuel Merritt University collaborates with leading academic and healthcare organizations to expand access to healthcare education. Through our reciprocal agreements, students benefit from exclusive tuition discounts and streamlined admission pathways.
Our partnership network creates a seamless bridge between organizations, offering unique financial and academic advantages for students at every stage.
Partnership Benefits for Students
Priority admission consideration for select pathways
Reserved seats in participating programs
Guaranteed interviews for qualified applicants where available
Waived application fees for many partner pathways
Concurrent enrollment options for eligible students
Our Partners
Academic Partners
California State University, East Bay
CSU East Bay post-bacc pre-health students have priority pathways into four SMU graduate programs - DPM, ELMSN, MBS, and MFT - with priority consideration built into every application.
Chaminade students admitted to SMU's DPM or OTD programs receive a guaranteed admissions interview, a peer mentor, and scholarship support written into the agreement.
Mission College ADN graduates who are licensed RNs can step directly into SMU's RN-BSN through our Concurrent Enrollment Pathway - with a tuition discount and no application fee.
SFSU post-bacc pre-health certificate students have direct entry into select SMU programs and priority access to others - with no application fee across all pathways.
UC Davis pre-health and post-bacc students have reserved seats across multiple SMU graduate health programs, with guaranteed interviews beyond the seat cap and no application fee.
Reserved Seats Across ProgramsDirect Entry Pathways
Designed for working adults and career changers seeking a pathway into professional nursing. Our connection with UC Berkeley Extension goes beyond a traditional partnership—it’s strengthened by a shared faculty community and a commitment to helping students successfully transition into nursing education at SMU.
Pathway to Professional NursingShared Faculty & Academic Connection
Ready to take your next step beyond paramedicine? As an AHE-trained professional, you have a reserved pathway into SMU nursing and health sciences programs, with your employer benefit matched dollar for dollar.
NAHC staff have direct access to more than ten SMU health professions programs - from nursing and occupational therapy to social work and health administration. Eligible Seven Generations Scholarship recipients receive a dollar-for-dollar match from SMU.
Kaiser Permanente employees and KP Scholars Academy members have access to dedicated pathways into SMU's healthcare programs. Full partnership details and benefits coming soon — contact us to learn more.
