Get ready to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Samuel Merritt University through our exciting 2+2 linkage pathway! Start with our Pre-Nursing Preparatory Program and take the courses that you need based on your academic history to qualify for admission into the second part of SMU's 2+2 BSN program.

Every fall, a select number of students who have been admitted into the Pre-Nursing Preparatory Program and have completed the linkage prerequisites will be granted the opportunity to transition to SMU, where they will complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree by undertaking all required nursing coursework exclusively at SMU.

Highlights:

  • 10 guaranteed seats for select students each fall at SMU.
  • Eligibility to apply for the Pre-Nursing Excelerator Scholarship.
  • Complete a customizable program by taking science and general education courses needed to transfer to the SMU BSN program.
  • Take evening and weekend courses.
  • Enroll in courses during our fall, spring and summer terms.
  • Receive individualized academic advising.

Required Coursework to Be Eligible for SMU's BSN Program

To be eligible to transfer to SMU's BSN program, all students must complete 59 prerequisite units. We offer all science, general education and psychology/sociology courses needed for you to meet that requirement.

Upon acceptance into the 2+2 linkage program, our academic advisers will work with you to determine eligibility of past coursework taken outside of UC Berkeley Extension to create a customized academic plan to meet the full 59 prerequisite units.

Science Courses

  • General Biology I MCELLBI X15A
  • General Biology Laboratory I MCELLBI X15.1A
  • Medical Microbiology MCELLBI X134
  • Microbiology Laboratory MCELLBI X136
  • Introduction to Human Physiology MCELLBI XB32
  • Human Physiology Laboratory MCELLBI X406.1
  • General Human Anatomy INTEGBI X104
  • Human Anatomy Laboratory INTEGBI X108
  • Human Nutrition MCELLBI X444
  • Introduction to Biostatistics MCELLBI X471
  • General Chemistry I CHEM X19A
  • General Chemistry Laboratory I CHEM X19.1A
  • Biostatistics I MCELLBI X471
  • Human Nutrition MCELLBI X444

General Education

  • Introduction to the History of the United States: From Colonial Settlement to the Civil War HISTORY XBW7A
  • Introductory Composition ENGLISH X2A
  • American Fiction ENGLISH X135A
  • Contemporary Art: History and Theory HISTART X442
  • Spanish for Medical Professionals SPANISH X410

Psychology and Sociology

  • General Psychology PSYCH XBW1
  • Developmental Psychology Across the Lifespan PSYCH X140
  • Health Care Advocacy and the Role of Cultural Diversity PB HLTH X403.6
  • Bioethics PB HLTH X435
  • Oral Communication: The Psychology of Public Speaking PSYCH X405
  • Sociology of Health, Illness and Medicine PB HLTH X440

Required Courses to Be Taken Exclusively at UC Berkeley Extension

At minimum, all students are required to complete at least two semesters of coursework at UC Berkeley Extension (18 units).

  • If you have completed any of the following courses at a different institution, you will need to repeat them at UC Berkeley Extension.
  • You will need to complete each course with a grade of B+ or better to be considered for transfer to SMU; only one course repeat is allowed.
  • Substitutions are only allowed for your elective courses and will need to be approved by the program director on a case-by-case basis.

These courses include:

SMU Linkage Eligibility

To be eligible for this linkage pathway to SMU, you need to:

  1. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  2. Apply and be accepted into our Pre-Nursing Preparatory Program.
  3. Indicate your interest in this linkage pathway upon admittance.
  4. Submit a secondary essay; details will be shared with those who are admitted.

Admissions will be merit and holistic based, considering all factors including but not limited to:

  • Secondary essay
  • Life experience
  • Health care experience
  • GPA in science courses (when applicable)
  • Demonstrated interest in the health care field

Questions

If you have any questions about this linkage pathway, eligibility or program application requirements, please email extension-prehealth@berkeley.edu.

Learn More About This Program