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

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.