Mills offers a Pre-Nursing Program, in conjunction with Samuel Merritt College, which provides specific training in nursing. The program consists of two years of general education and basic science courses taken at Mills, followed by two years of nursing theory and clinical experience offered at Samuel Merritt College. The Pre-Nursing Program offers a special Nursing Leadership Program component designed to help students develop the skills and knowledge they will need to pursue leadership positions in the nursing profession. Completion of the combined program leads to a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Samuel Merritt College. 

The Pre-Nursing Program provides students with a strong foundation in the natural and social sciences, and it fosters exploration of the fine arts and letters. This program consists of a total of 17 course credits. Students who complete their academic work at Mills with a 3.0 grade point average in their certificate coursework and attain specified minimum section scores on the Nurse Entrance Test (NET) are guaranteed admission to the professional portion of the program at Samuel Merritt College.