Pharmacy (3+3 Dual Degree)

two students in lab coats pouring liquid from beaker

Earn your Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree in six years through Salve Regina University's partnership with the University of Saint Joseph in Connecticut. You'll spend the first three years studying biology or biochemistry at Salve, followed by three years in Saint Joseph's Pharm.D. program.

Meet the Demand for Skilled Pharmacists

The growing demand for pharmacy services has led to a significant increase in salaries, with starting pay now averaging $100,000. Our partnership combines a solid liberal arts education with a strong pharmacy program, allowing you to start your career early and meet the need for skilled pharmacists.

In your first three years, you'll complete undergraduate coursework at Salve, including Core Curriculum courses, requirements for the biology or biochemistry major, and electives that include prerequisites for the pharmacy program. At Saint Joseph, you'll move through the program with a cohort, taking one course at a time to thoroughly master each subject.

After completing both programs, you'll earn a B.S. in biology or B.A. in biochemistry from Salve and a Pharm.D. from Saint Joseph. To qualify for the Pharm.D. program at Saint Joseph, you must maintain a 2.8 GPA and submit a PharmCAS application during your third year of undergraduate study.

A Well-Rounded Education

"The 3+3 dual-degree program is a wonderful opportunity for any student who might be seeking a career in the pharmacy industry. At the same time, this degree will ensure a strong foundation in either biochemistry or biology along with the well-rounded liberal arts education that is highly valued by employers these days." - Dr. Susan Meschwitz, professor and chair, Department of Chemistry

students in chemistry lab Click to play the video

Preparing You for Success

"The scientific skills I learned, whether in lab or in the classroom, will be carried with me for the rest of my carrier. The elective I took on drug design and organic chemistry placed me a step ahead of my classmates, and the other prerequisites that were required prepared me for the bulk of the content that pharmacy school teaches. Overall, Salve provides an amazingly well-rounded education that will benefit everyone in the future." - Ciara Marro-Wilson '23, third-year Doctor of Pharmacy student, University of Saint Joseph

Ciara Marro-Wilson

Career Paths in Pharmacy

Community pharmacist

Working in retail stores or independently owned pharmacies, community pharmacists dispense medications to patients; answer questions about prescriptions, over-the-counter medications or health concerns; and provide some primary care services, such as giving flu shots.

Clinical pharmacist

Working in hospitals, clinics and other health care settings, clinical pharmacists recommend medications to give to patients and oversee the dosage and delivery of those medications. They may also conduct some medical tests and offer advice to patients.

Consultant pharmacist

Working in health care facilities or with insurance providers, consultant pharmacists offer advice on patient medication use or improving pharmacy services, and give advice directly to patients, such as helping seniors manage their prescriptions.

Pharmaceutical industry pharmacist

Working in marketing, sales or research and development, pharmaceutical industry pharmacists may design or conduct clinical drug trials, help to develop new drugs, or establish safety regulations and ensure quality control for drugs.

Degree Options

For each program listed below, you'll take additional electives at Saint Joseph to complete your required coursework. Further details are available from the program coordinator upon request.

Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry

See course requirements and degree plan.

Bachelor of Science in biology

See course requirements and degree plan.

Meet Our Pharmacy Faculty

Using a hands-on approach to the exploration of scientific methods, our dedicated faculty prepare students for exciting careers in the biological and chemical sciences. Through small class sizes that enable personal attention and strong mentoring relationships, we seek to instill in our students a passion for learning science.

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