Oct 08, 2024  
2021-2022 Course Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

3+3 Pharm.D. Program (Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or Health Science B.S. to Pharm.D.)


Also see

Biochemistry, B.S.  to Pharm.D.

Biology, B.S.  to Pharm.D.

Chemistry, B.S.  to Pharm.D.

Health Science, B.S.  

Pharm.D. Program  

The University of Saint Joseph has developed a pathway for students enrolling in its B.S. programs in Biology, Biochemistry and Chemistry to earn the Pharm.D. in six years. The pathway, 3+3 Pharm.D., uses courses and curricula in the existing and approved programs. The first three years of the 3+3 program are devoted to undergraduate coursework. The student will take courses in the major, general education courses and electives that include prerequisite coursework for the pharmacy program. 

The requirements for entering the Pharm.D. program are satisfied by some of the undergraduate major courses, many of the general education courses and a few of the electives needed for students to have the 120 credits for an undergraduate degree at the University of Saint Joseph. Students prepared in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry and Health Science who pursue training as pharmacists from the University’s 3+3 Pharm.D. program will not only have an excellent foundation for Pharmacy School, but will begin their career early, filling the need for highly qualified pharmacists. 

Students will apply for the Pharm.D. program in the third year of their undergraduate program. If they are accepted, they can use 7 to 10 credits of their major courses plus elective courses to satisfy the remaining credits for the B.S. degree, depending upon the major. Please see the B.S. degree programs below for specific information. 

Biochemistry  
Total coursework completed during your undergraduate years is 100 credits. Total to be completed at the Pharmacy School is 20 credits that will satisfy the University minimum requirement of 120 credits.

Biology  
Total coursework completed toward the undergraduate degree is 97 credits. Total to be completed at the Pharmacy School is 23 credits that will satisfy the University minimum requirement of 120 credits.

Chemistry   
Total coursework completed toward the undergraduate degree is 96 credits. Total to be completed at the Pharmacy School is 24 credits that will satisfy the University minimum requirement of 120 credits.

Health Science 
Total coursework completed toward the undergraduate degree is 98 credits. Total to be completed at the Pharmacy School is 22 credits that will satisfy the University minimum requirement of 120 credits.

 

 

 

 

Program admission


Eligible students will have a high school diploma with High School GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. In addition, the student’s SAT score for Critical Reading and Math must be 1190 combined with a minimum of 590 in each the Math and English sections to be eligible to apply for the 3+3 Pharm. D. programs.

Please see the degree programs below for additional admission criteria:

Biochemistry
Two AP classes (score of 4 or 5) in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Calculus. Having these AP courses will allow students to substitute into the plan of study below, keep a reasonable first semester courseload and allow students to complete the 120 credits needed for a university degree. If students transfer additional AP credits, this will further reduce their courseload and provide an opportunity to move other courses into that first semester. 

Biology
Two AP classes (score of 4 or 5) in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Calculus. Having these AP courses will allow students to substitute into the plan of study a second course in Religious Studies and keep a reasonable first semester course load. If students transfer additional AP credits, this will further reduce their courseload and provide an opportunity to move other courses into that first semester.

Chemistry
One AP class (score of 4 or 5) in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Calculus. Having this AP courses will allow students to substitute into the plan of study below to keep a reasonable first semester courseload. If students transfer additional AP credits, this will further reduce their courseload and provide an opportunity to move other courses into that first semester.

Degree progression


Undergraduate
During the undergraduate part of the 3+3 Pharm.D. program, students must maintain a 3.3 GPA and may not earn a grade below a B- in any major course or pharmacy prerequisite course. Any student who earns a grade below B- in any other elective course will be evaluated on an individual basis and may not be eligible to continue in the 3+3 Pharm.D. program. Those students will be able to complete their four-year Bachelor of Science degree.

Graduate
A student in the dual-degree program who is not in good academic standing at the end of the first professional year of the Pharm.D. program will revert to complete the bachelor of science in Biochemistry, Biology, or Chemistry.

Criteria to complete just undergraduate studies
The criteria for the B.S. degree will be determined by the original major requirements and minimum B.S. degree requirements.  

  • Pharmacy courses listed in the plan of study that satisfy the B.S. major will count toward the B.S. if the student receives a passing grade.
  • Pharmacy courses listed to satisfy electives in the B.S. program and passed will count as electives toward the minimum degree requirements.
  • Any credits needed for minimum degree requirements must be taken at USJ. Courses needed to fulfill those requirements will be determined by the student and advisor.

 

Criteria to return to graduate studies
Eligibility to reapply to the Pharm.D program will be based on the School of Pharmacy admissions policy.

Admission to the School of Pharmacy


Students pursue a separate admissions process to the professional Pharm.D. program, as well as take the PCAT. All qualified students will be considered for an interview as part of the admission process. To be considered for admission to the University of Saint Joseph Pharm.D. program, an applicant must:

  • Complete a minimum of 68 semester credits of pre-pharmacy study in a regionally accredited college or university in the United States
  • Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4-point scale and a minimum GPA of 2.8 in the 50 semester credits of required courses, with no grade below a C (C-minus grades will not count)
  • Complete all science and mathematics prerequisites by the end of the spring semester prior to entry into the program
  • Typically, all prerequisite coursework should be less than seven calendar years old

Acceptance into the School of Pharmacy


Students in the 3+3 Pharm.D. program can be enrolled in the Pharm.D. program prior to earning their Bachelor of Science degree. Bachelor’s degrees will be awarded to 3+3 Pharm.D. degree candidates upon completion of the first year of the pharmacy program, using credits earned to complete the necessary credits in the Bachelor of Science degree. Students who have successfully completed the three years at USJ in the Biochemistry, Biology or Chemistry dual-degree programs will be given priority admission to the pharmacy program, provided these applicants are competitive with other applicants.