Samuel Merritt University

Samuel Merritt University (SMU) is a private, non-profit, fully accredited health sciences institution located on the Summit campus of the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland, California, United States.

The University offers undergraduate degrees in nursing and graduate degrees in nursing, physical therapy, physician assistant, occupational therapy, and podiatric medicine. SMU is an affiliate of the Sutter Health Network and Alta Bates Summit Medical Center.

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. Formerly known as Samuel Merritt College, it was founded in 1909 as a hospital school of nursing.

Samuel Merritt University was founded in 1909 through the legacy of Dr Samuel Merritt. Drawn by the excitement of California in the 1850s, Merritt left his Maine home to seek his fortune in the west. He settled in Oakland, and as a dedicated physician, architect, ship builder, and civic planner his influence was etched on the history of the city.

Merritt left plans for a hospital to be built in his name after his death. His dream was realized in 1909 when Samuel Merritt College and Samuel Merritt Hospital opened their doors.

SMU is a university dedicated to health sciences. Most of the University's programs are at the graduate level; however, the School of Nursing offers two bachelor's degree programs. 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.

 The University's average graduation rate is 95 per cent, and student scores on licensure pass rates are 90 per cent or above for first-time test takers in six programs.