Pharmacy
Pharmacy (3+3 Dual Degree)
Salve Regina University's partnership with the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Connecticut offers a pathway for students to earn their Doctor of Pharmacy in six years. Students complete three years of study in biology or biochemistry at Salve Regina, followed by three years in Saint Joseph's Pharm.D. program.
Meet the Need for Highly Qualified Pharmacists
The demand for pharmacy services has resulted in a dramatic increase in salaries in all sectors of pharmacy, with starting salaries now averaging $100,000. Our partnership combines a solid liberal arts degree with a strong pharmacy program, allowing students to begin their careers early and fill the need for highly qualified pharmacists.
The first three years of the program are devoted to undergraduate coursework at Salve Regina. Students complete Core Curriculum courses, requirements for the major in biology or biochemistry, and electives that include prerequisites for the pharmacy program. At Saint Joseph, students move through the program as part of a cohort, completing one course at a time in order to master the subject material.
Students who successfully complete both programs earn a B.S. in biology or B.A. in biochemistry from Salve Regina and a Pharm.D. from Saint Joseph.
To be eligible for the Pharm.D. program at Saint Joseph, students must maintain a 2.8 GPA and complete the PharmCAS application. Students apply for the Pharm.D. program during the third year of their undergraduate program.
Program Spotlight: 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, associate professor and chair, Department of Chemistry
Our Faculty
Using a hands-on approach to the exploration of scientific methods, our dedicated faculty prepare students for the challenge of exciting careers in the biological and chemical sciences. Through small class sizes that enable individual attention and the development of mentoring relationships, we seek to instill in our students a passion for learning science.
Life After Salve Regina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 323,000 pharmacy jobs in 2021, with a median annual wage of $128,000.
Possible career paths include:
- 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 also may 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.
Course Requirements
For each major listed below, students will take additional electives at Saint Joseph to complete their required coursework. Further details are available from the program liaison upon request.
Major in Biology (B.S.)
17 courses | 64-65 credits
Required courses:
- BIO111: General Biology I
- BIO112: General Biology II
- BIO210: Microbiology
- BIO220: Cell Biology and Chemistry
- BIO252: Genetics: Classical, Molecular and Population
- BIO305: Human Anatomy
- BIO325: Human Physiology
- BIO471: Biology Seminar
- CHM113: General Chemistry I
- CHM114: General Chemistry II
- CHM205: Organic Chemistry I
- CHM206: Organic Chemistry II
- ECN101: Introductory Macroeconomics
- MTH191: Applied Calculus or MTH195: Calculus I
- PHY201: Physics I
- PHY202: Physics II
- STA173: Statistical Methods
Major in Biochemistry (B.A.)
15 courses | 59 credits
Required courses:
- BCH403: Biochemistry
- BIO112: General Biology II
- BIO210: Microbiology
- BIO220: Cell Biology and Chemistry
- BIO305: Human Anatomy
- BIO325: Human Physiology
- CHM113: General Chemistry I
- CHM114: General Chemistry II
- CHM205: Organic Chemistry I
- CHM206: Organic Chemistry II
- PHY205: Principles of Physics I
- MTH195: Calculus I
- MTH196: Calculus II
- STA173: Statistical Methods
Students also choose one of the following:
- CHM301: Analytical Chemistry
- CHM305: Physical Chemistry I
- CHM309: Instrumental Analysis
- CHM408: Inorganic Chemistry