Samuel Merritt University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

What to Expect from Samuel Merritt University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the SMU nursing programs must fulfill program-specific requirements. At the same time, many admission requirements will be the same across all programs. All programs require satisfactory completion of necessary nursing education, as evidenced by official transcripts.

In addition, all programs require students to have sufficient English language proficiency necessary for academic success. Demonstration of such language proficiency is compulsory in certain circumstances, such as for international applicants. Applicants generally must submit an application, letters of reference, and proof that they hold an active, unencumbered RN license. Applications are accepted using the Central Application Service for Nursing Schools (NursingCAS). Some programs require some existing nursing experience, while others do not.

• MSN Admission Requirements: Applicants must hold a BSN from an accredited institution with a GPA of 2.5 and an unencumbered RN license in their state of residence. Application materials include the application, application fee, official transcripts, evidence of RN clinical practice experience, and two letters of reference.
• Prospective students must have an interest in working with underserved populations, and a second language is recommended. An undergraduate statistics course with at least a “B” grade is required as a prerequisite. In addition, students must have a completed criminal background check and a drug test (if required). No GRE or GMAT is required.
• DNP Admission Requirements: Program applicants must have attained a BSN or MSN from a CCNE-accredited program. In addition, it is preferred but not required that PMHNPs have psychiatric nursing experience.
• Post-Master’s Certificate Admission requirements: Admission requirements to the different post-master’s certificate programs mirror those of the corresponding degree programs. All certificate programs require students to hold an MSN from a CCNE-accredited program and have prior RN experience. Applicants must also hold an active, unencumbered RN license in an SMU-approved state (or be able to attain one in an SMU-approved state).

State Restrictions: SMU is approved to offer the online MSN-FNP program in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia.

SMU is approved to offer the online MSN-PMHNP program in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Vermont.

SMU is approved to offer the online DNP-FNP program in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Vermont.

SMU is approved to offer the online DNP-PMHNP program in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Vermont.

SMU is approved to offer the online post-master’s FNP program in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia.

SMU is approved to offer the online post-master’s PMHNP program in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Vermont.

Students from other states not listed here should check the Samuel Merritt University website to see if their state is approved, as state approvals may be in process.

SMU welcomes applications from international students. The main distinction in admission requirements for international students is English language proficiency, as this cannot necessarily be routinely expected of international students. In addition, students who have completed their degrees outside of the United States must have their degrees evaluated for United States baccalaureate equivalency. International applicants should thoroughly review the SMU website for details on how to apply.

Study Plan: Samuel Merritt University’s nursing programs offer structured study plans that accommodate both full-time and part-time students through flexible online formats coupled with essential on-campus experiences.

The DNP programs for FNP and PMHNP are designed to be completed either full-time in eight semesters (32 months) or part-time in ten semesters (39 months). These programs follow a sequential curriculum, allowing students to progress through a planned sequence of courses in a supported learning environment. A critical element of the DNP program is a scholarly project designed to serve as a capstone experience to prepare future DNPs for their work.

The MSN programs in FNP and PMHNP also feature sequential curricula. The MSN-FNP program spans five semesters full-time (20 months) or seven semesters part-time (28 months). It includes two three-day on-campus residencies to provide critical hands-on training. Similarly, the MSN-PMHNP program can be completed in five semesters (18 months) full-time or seven semesters (24 months) part-time, integrating two on-campus intensives.

Post-graduate certificate programs for FNP and PMHNP are structured for accelerated completion. The FNP certificate is offered over four semesters, while the PMHNP certificate is six semesters in length. As with the MSN program, students are required to attend two on-campus intensives at the Sacramento campus.

Curriculum: Samuel Merritt University’s online nursing programs offer a comprehensive curriculum designed to develop advanced practice nurses equipped with clinical expertise, leadership skills, and evidence-based knowledge.

• DNP-FNP Curriculum: The DNP-FNP program is made up of 65 credits. It includes courses such as advanced physical assessment; ethical foundations and role development of the advanced practice nurse; information systems & technology for advanced nursing practice; family-centered health promotion; advanced pathophysiology; inter professional collaboration: improving health outcomes; population health & clinical prevention; advanced pharmacology; leadership development; nursing & healthcare science for advanced nursing practice; care of chronic and complex conditions; evidence-based translation for advanced practice nursing; care of acute and episodic conditions; and health care policy for advocacy in health care.
• The program requires a minimum of 525 FNP clinical practice hours along with 500 DNP practice hours. Students also complete three advanced nursing practice residency courses, some requiring on-campus intensives for skill demonstration and project presentations.
• DNP-PMHNP Curriculum: The DNP-PMHNP program requires 64 credits, including courses such as advanced physical assessment; ethical foundations and role development of the advanced practice nurse; information systems & technology for advanced nursing practice; theories of psychotherapy; advanced pathophysiology; interprofessional collaboration: improving patient and population health outcomes; population health & clinical prevention; advanced pharmacology; organizational and systems leadership; PMHNP: diagnostic concepts; nursing & healthcare science for advanced nursing practice; evidence-based translation for advanced practice nursing; psychopharmacology; and health care policy for advocacy in health care.
• The program encompasses a minimum of 525 PMHNP clinical practice hours and 475 DNP practice hours. Clinical residencies and practicums are integrated with opportunities for on-campus psychiatric skills labs and project presentations.
• MSN-FNP Curriculum: The MSN-FNP program is offered online with two required on-campus residencies totaling two 3-day intensives. The comprehensive curriculum includes courses such as evidence-based translation for advanced nursing practice; health care policy for advocacy in health care; information systems & technology for advanced practice nursing; professional role, ethics, & leadership; population health & healthcare systems; advanced pathophysiology; advanced physical assessment; advanced pharmacology; lifespan health promotion & illness prevention; lifespan acute & episodic conditions; lifespan chronic conditions; and common illnesses in primary care and transition to practice. Clinical practicum hours total 630, divided among several courses.
• MSN-PMHNP Curriculum: The MSN-PMHNP program requires two on-campus intensives. The curriculum features courses such as evidence-based translation for advanced nursing practice; health care policy for advocacy in health care; information systems & technology for advanced practice nursing; professional role, ethics, & leadership; population health & healthcare systems; advanced pathophysiology; advanced physical assessment; advanced pharmacology; PMHNP: diagnostic concepts; psychopharmacology; theories of psychotherapy; PMHNP diagnosis and management across the lifespan; and an evidence-based capstone.
• Students complete 630 clinical practicum hours across three PMHNP clinical courses, supported by psychiatric skills labs and supervised practicums.
• Post-Master’s Certificate Program Curriculum: For the 38-credit FNP certificate, students must complete the following courses: advanced physical assessment; advanced physical assessment lab (requires a two-day intensive on campus to demonstrate lab skills); advanced pathophysiology; advanced pharmacology; ethical foundations and role development of the advanced practice nurse; care of chronic and complex conditions; care of acute and episodic conditions; care of acute and episodic conditions lab; family-centered health promotion; population health & clinical prevention; and three FNP clinical courses (I, II and III). Clinical practice requires three semesters of precepted clinical hours totaling 525 hours.
• PMHNP certificate students with a background as APRNs complete 27 credits of courses from the following: psychopharmacology; PMHNP: diagnostic concepts; psychiatric skills lab; family-centered health promotion; theories of psychotherapy; population health & clinical prevention; and PMHNP clinical I, II, and III (three courses for a total of 525 clinical hours).
• PMHNP certificate students without an APRN background complete 35 credits. Their courses include advanced physical assessment; advanced physical assessment lab; ethical foundations and role development of the advanced practice nurse; theories of psychotherapy; advanced pathophysiology; advanced pharmacology; PMHNP: diagnostic concepts; psychiatric skills lab; population health & clinical prevention; and PMHNP clinical I, II, and III (three courses for a total of 525 clinical hours).

Online Experience: SMU utilizes Canvas as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Key features include multimedia apps such as Panapto, Poll Everywhere, Respondus 4.0, Turnitin, Webex, and more. Faculty can utilize feedback annotation to communicate with students on homework. Coursework includes online lectures, videos, readings, interactive assignments, and assessments. Communication includes discussion boards, email, phone, and chat. Online courses are asynchronous, allowing for maximum student flexibility; however, assignments and assessments have set deadlines. Online students can access academic advising, faculty support, 24/7 technical support, the online bookstore, online library, and career services.

On-Site Requirements: While the majority of coursework and clinicals are completed online or in students’ home communities, each program involves mandatory in-person requirements. SMU nursing students must come to the Sacramento, California campus for intensive skills labs. Students also complete local practicums at approved sites in their area of residence. The total on-campus learning requirements vary according to program duration and specialization.

For DNP programs, students are required to participate in multiple on-campus intensives. These sessions include skills labs, clinical competency assessments, and scholarly project presentations. The MSN programs similarly mandate at least two on-campus intensives, such as advanced physical assessment labs or psychiatric skills labs. Post-graduate certificate programs also require students to attend on-campus sessions for physical assessment labs or psychiatric skills labs, depending on the curriculum path. For all programs, attendance at the Sacramento campus is necessary at designated times.