Samuel Merritt University
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) · CA · school's own site (opens the school's website in a new tab)
ActiveIn personlast verified Oct 2026
Prerequisites
The courses Samuel Merritt says you need before you start, as published on its own pages. Credits, labs, and minimum grades are shown where the school states them.
- 01English CompositionEnglish Composition
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“English Composition | 3.0 |”
credits3min gradeC - 02Humanities / Fine Arts / LiteratureEnglish Literature / Critical ThinkingPhilosophy critical thinking courses are not acceptable.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“English Literature / Critical Thinking Courses in Philosophy are not acceptable. | 3.0 |”
credits3min gradeC - 03Communication / Public SpeakingCommunication or Speech Elective
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Communication or Speech Elective Any communication or speech course is acceptable. | 3.0 |”
credits3min gradeC - 04SociologyIntroduction to Sociology, General Sociology, or Cultural AnthropologyBiological Anthropology is not acceptable.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Introduction to Sociology, General Sociology, or Cultural Anthropology Biological Anthropology is not acceptable. | 3.0 |”
credits3min gradeC - 05Social Science (elective)Social Science Elective
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Social Science Elective Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Political Science, History, etc. | 3.0 |”
credits3min gradeC - 06Lifespan / Human Growth & DevelopmentLifespan Developmental PsychologyMust cover birth to death; General Psychology does not count.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Lifespan Developmental Psychology Content must cover birth to death; General Psychology does not meet the requirement. | 3.0 |”
credits3min gradeC - 07NutritionNutritionMust be a general, broad-based course.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Nutrition General, broad-based course. | 3.0 |”
credits3min gradeC - 08StatisticsStatisticsResearch methods courses are not acceptable.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Statistics Research methods courses are unacceptable. | 3.0 |”
credits3min gradeC - 09Anatomy (standalone)Human Anatomy with LabCombined A&P counts only if both A&P I and A&P II are completed.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Human Anatomy with Lab A combined A&P course can be used only if two combined A&P courses are completed (e.g. A&P I and A&P II). | 4.0 |”
credits4labrequiredmin gradeC - 10Physiology (standalone)Human Physiology with LabCombined A&P counts only if both A&P I and A&P II are completed.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Human Physiology with Lab A combined A&P course can be used only if two combined A&P courses are completed (e.g. A&P I and A&P II). | 4.0 |”
credits4labrequiredmin gradeC - 11General ChemistryChemistry with LabOr 6.0 quarter units.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Chemistry with Lab | 4.0 semester or 6.0 quarter units |”
credits4labrequiredmin gradeC - 12MicrobiologyMicrobiology with Lab
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Microbiology with Lab | 4.0 |”
credits4labrequiredmin gradeC - 13PharmacologyPharmacologyMust come from SMU's approved pharmacology list; credits vary.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Pharmacology Must come from one of the approved lists of Pharmacology courses listed in the section below. | Varies |”
min gradeC - 14PathophysiologyPathophysiologyMust come from the approved pathophysiology list (e.g., SMU N119); credits vary.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Pathophysiology Must come from one of the approved lists of Pathophysiology courses listed in the section below. | Varies |”
min gradeC
Minimum prerequisite grade
C
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better by the terms listed in the table below.”
In-progress prerequisites
Planned or in-progress prerequisites are allowed at application; they must be complete by the cohort's prerequisite deadline
Prerequisites cannot be taken concurrently with the ABSN program.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“While having planned or in-progress courses at the time of application is acceptable, it's best for students to have as many courses completed as possible by then.”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Do prerequisites expire?
Course age limit Not published. Confirm with the school.
Course attempt limits Not published. Confirm with the school.
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GPA and grades
Recommended GPA (last 60 semester units) for admission
3.0 recommended
The catalog instead lists 'A recommended minimum 3.0 GPA in all prerequisites coursework'.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“A recommended GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units) of coursework and a recommended GPA of 3.0 across the six required science prerequisite courses.”
Recommended science prerequisite GPA
3.0 recommended across the six science prerequisites
The catalog says 'the four science prerequisite courses'.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“A recommended GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units) of coursework and a recommended GPA of 3.0 across the six required science prerequisite courses.”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Is there an entrance exam?
Entrance exam
HESI A2 or TEAS required
Recommended scores are 75%+ in each HESI A2 subject or 65%+ in each TEAS subject. The exam must be taken before the deadline. The A2 may be taken only twice, and the highest scores are used.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“The HESI A2 OR TEAS is required of all applicants to the BSN, ABSN, and ELMSN programs.”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Where can courses be taken?
Community college courses
Community college courses can meet prerequisites; check the articulation tool
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Wondering if you took the right courses as a local CSU, UC, or community college student? Use our new Prerequisite Course Articulation Tool to see which courses meet the prerequisite requirements for ABSN, BSN, and ELMSN programs.”
AP/IB credit
AP scores of 3–5 and IB scores of 5–7 accepted if shown on an official university transcript
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“AP exam scores of 3, 4, or 5 and IB exam scores of 5, 6, or 7 may be used to meet prerequisite requirements, but are only acceptable if the exam scores are clearly noted on an official university transcript.”
Online labs Not published. Confirm with the school.
Pass/fail courses Not published. Confirm with the school.
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Application deadlines and start dates
Upcoming cycles Samuel Merritt publishes. A date without a year on the school's page is noted rather than guessed.
Summer 2027 start · Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco Peninsula, FresnoDeadline Apr 1, 2027priority Nov 1, 2026The standard deadline comes from: 'April 1, 2027 Summer 2027 Standard Application Deadline'. The cohort list says the Summer application opens in August. It starts in May (Sacramento, SF Peninsula) or July (Oakland, SF Peninsula, Fresno). The prerequisite completion deadline is listed as 'December 31 prior to program start', which falls before the April 1 standard deadline; this is ambiguous.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“November 1, 2026 Summer 2027 Priority Application Deadline Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco Peninsula, Fresno”
Fall cohort · Sacramento, San Francisco Peninsula, Fresno, OaklandDue August 15 each yearnext Aug 15, 2027No Fall application deadline is printed. The opening (December) and start (August/November) are given as months only. Prerequisites are due August 15 prior to program start.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Fall Term Application Campus locations: Sacramento, San Francisco Peninsula*, Fresno, Oakland Application opens: December Prerequisites completion deadline: August 15 prior to program start Program start: August (Sacramento), November (Oakland, San Francisco Peninsula, Fresno)”
Application service
NursingCAS
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Applicants must request that their official transcripts be sent directly to NursingCAS from their college or university’s registrar’s office.”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Cost
Tuition and fees as the school publishes them. Living costs vary; the source link has the full table.
Total program price
$109,200 for 52 units, all-inclusive and guaranteed
Under the guaranteed pricing model, books, graduation fees, healthcare and parking are excluded.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) 52 $109,200”
Application fee
$65, payable to a third-party vendor
There is also a $350 tuition deposit.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Undergraduate Nursing Programs...........................................$65”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Other requirements
What the school asks for beyond courses and scores.
Short answers
Short answer responses required with the application
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Short answer responses submitted with the application.”
TOEFL (if required)
iBT 100 with speaking 26
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“If the TOEFL is required, a minimum internet based test (iBT) score of 100, with a speaking score of 26, is required for those applying to BSN, ABSN and ELMSN programs.”
Grant eligibility
Federal and state grants are not available for a second bachelor's degree
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“ABSN students are eligible for scholarships and student loans, but federal and state grants are not available for a second bachelor’s degree.”
- Criminal background check and drug screen after admission.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“To participate in clinical rotations, you must undergo a criminal background check and drug screening.”
- AHA BLS CPR certification covering adult, infant and child.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Certification must be from the American Heart Association and be the Basic Life Support (BLS) module (must include adult, infant, and children).”
- Health insurance required by the first day of orientation.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“All students are required to have medical insurance coverage by their program’s first day of orientation.”
- Health forms due at least 30 days before the program start.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“To prevent a registration hold, please submit all health requirements soon after acceptance into the program but no later than 30 days before the program start date.”
- A $350 tuition deposit is required for final admission.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Receipt of a tuition deposit in the amount of $350”
Prior degree Not published. Confirm with the school. Our two readings of the page disagreed (“The catalog says no degree is required to apply; the program page's admission criteria require 75 semester units” vs “Program page describes the ABSN as for candidates with degrees in other fields”), so we are not publishing a value yet.
Interview Not published. Confirm with the school.
Letters of recommendation Not published. Confirm with the school.
Healthcare experience Not published. Confirm with the school. Our two readings of the page disagreed (“Volunteer or paid healthcare experience is a selection criterion, not a requirement” vs “Considered in selection; not stated as required”), so we are not publishing a value yet.
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Good to know
What the school says about the program that is not a requirement: how it selects, how many it admits, what to expect.
Format
On campus
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Format On Campus”
Minimum units completed
75 semester units (112.5 quarter units) from an accredited institution
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“Completion of a minimum of 75 semester units (or 112.5 quarter units) from an accredited institution with a grade of “C” or better in all prerequisite courses.”
Recent full-time term
At least one term of 9+ semester (14+ quarter) units within the past two years
Stated in the catalog only.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“At least one term with a minimum of 9 semester or 14 quarter units of academic courses completed in the past two years”
Recent academic load
At least one term of 9+ semester (14+ quarter) units within the past two years
Stated in the catalog only.
source · samuelmerritt.edu
“At least one term with a minimum of 9 semester or 14 quarter units of academic courses completed in the past two years”
Start terms Not published. Confirm with the school. Our two readings of the page disagreed (“Fall, Spring, and Summer cohorts” vs “Fall (August/November), Spring (January), Summer (May/July)”), so we are not publishing a value yet.
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Sources
Every page we read for Samuel Merritt, with when we last checked it. Tier 1 is the program's own pages; tier 2 the nursing school's general pages; tier 3 university-wide pages.
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing in California | SMUtier 1 · program page · checked Oct 15, 2026
- Apply to SMU | Samuel Merritt Universitytier 1 · how to apply · checked Oct 15, 2026
- Campus Tours | Samuel Merritt Universitytier 1 · how to apply · checked Oct 15, 2026
- Prerequisite Course Articulation | Samuel Merritt Universitytier 1 · prereqs · checked Oct 15, 2026
- Financial Aid and Tuition. | Samuel Merritt Universitytier 1 · tuition · checked Oct 15, 2026
- https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/sites/default/files/2026-06/Fall%202026%20to%20Summer%202027%20Tuition%20Pricing%20All%20Inclusive.pdftier 1 · pdf · checked Oct 15, 2026
- Course Descriptions | Samuel Merritt Universitytier 3 · catalog · checked Oct 15, 2026
- Privacy Policy | Samuel Merritt Universitytier 3 · policy · checked Oct 15, 2026
- Admission Policies | Samuel Merritt Universitytier 1 · catalog · checked Oct 15, 2026
- Curriculum Overviews | Samuel Merritt Universitytier 1 · catalog · checked Oct 15, 2026
Open questions we're still checking
- Degree requirement is inconsistent: the catalog says 'No degree Required to apply', while the program page describes the ABSN as for candidates with degrees in other fields and the articulation page says it is for students who already hold a bachelor's degree.
- The science GPA basis differs: the program page says six science prerequisites and the catalog says four.
- No Fall cohort application deadline is printed.
- The Summer prerequisite deadline ('December 31 prior to program start') falls before the April 1, 2027 standard deadline; it is unclear how this applies to standard-deadline applicants.
- No course age limit is stated for the ABSN. The catalog's advanced-placement note that science courses over five years old may need repeating may or may not apply.
- No NursingCAS portal URL is given on the ABSN pages.
- Degree requirement conflict: the program page and articulation page describe the ABSN as for people who already hold a degree, but the 2026-27 catalog says 'No degree Required to apply'.
- Science GPA scope: the program page says six science prerequisites, the catalog says four.
- The Summer 2027 standard deadline (April 1, 2027) falls after the stated December 31 prerequisite completion deadline; the actual timing is unclear.
- No Fall-term application deadline is published.
- The approved pharmacology course list was not included in the provided pages.
- No direct NursingCAS application URL is given.
- Two readings of the page disagreed on start_terms: Fall, Spring, and Summer cohorts | Fall (August/November), Spring (January), Summer (May/July).
- Two readings of the page disagreed on healthcare_experience: Volunteer or paid healthcare experience is a selection criterion, not a requirement | Considered in selection; not stated as required.
- Two readings of the page disagreed on degree_requirement: The catalog says no degree is required to apply; the program page's admission criteria require 75 semester units | Program page describes the ABSN as for candidates with degrees in other fields.
Something wrong here? Report an error
ABSNcheck summarizes requirements that schools publish on their own websites, with a link to each source and the date we last verified it. Schools change requirements, sometimes contradict themselves, and make individual decisions. Results show whether you meet published minimums; they are not an admission decision or a guarantee, and are not official advice from any school. Always confirm requirements with each program before you apply or enroll in a course.
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