Samuel Merritt College on Tuesday will rename itself as a university to celebrate its centennial and to reflect its changing mission.

The Oakland health-sciences school announced Monday it would become Samuel Merritt University. The school, which already offers doctoral degrees, also has campuses in Sacramento, San Francisco and San Mateo.

The 1,200-student college started 100 years ago as a nursing school. It now offers degrees in nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistance and podiatry.

Samuel Merritt is affiliated with Sutter Health and Alta Bates-Summit Medical Center.

Matt Krupnick covers higher education. Reach him at 925-943-8246 or mkrupnick@bayareanewsgroup.com.