Expanding Opportunities With Historic Merger
Editor's note: This article was written prior to University of the Sciences' merger with and into Saint Joseph's University and does not reflect the current, combined institution. References to programs, offices, colleges, employees, etc., may be historical information.
University of the Sciences announced this year an historic merger agreement with Saint Joseph’s University to integrate into one University ready for the future of everything. This unique combination offers current and future students a liberal arts core as well as comprehensive in-demand professional programs.
“This will provide great opportunities for USciences to strengthen its commitment to progressing healthcare education,” said VALERIE WEIL, interim President of USciences. “We could not have found a more complementary partner than Saint Joseph’s in this effort.”
The decision to merge follows months of due diligence to explore the benefits of the combination. The institutions hope to complete the merger by summer 2022, pending regulatory and accreditor approvals.
“This merger agreement will join together two iconic universities with a combined 370 years of tradition, legacy and service to students,” said MARK C. REED, EdD, Prescient of Saint Joseph’s. “But we will now move forward as one more comprehensive University, continuing our mission of providing an accessible, rigorous, student-centered educational experience in the most sought-after career fields.”
The combined University will provide students with access to academic programs in health and the sciences with top-in-the-nation returns on investment; Philadelphia College of Pharmacy’s 200-year legacy as the first college of pharmacy in North America; Philadelphia’s only Jesuit University; nearly 200 programs of study; exceptional student life; and 20 Division I athletics programs.
With this agreement, USciences will merge with and into Saint Joseph’s University, maintaining accepted and incumbent student tuition schedules and academic programs for the remainder of the students’ course of study, regardless of the student’s legacy university.
The first step in the process of determining the University structure was to consider the legacy and histories -- both individually and collectively as well as the current and future needs of students. The academic structure model which was chosen enhances learning and personal exploration while retaining depth and breadth of professional programs. The structure includes: College of Arts and Sciences; Haub School of Business; School of Health Professions; and School of Education and Human Development.
The College of Arts and Sciences would include natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. The Haub School of Business will expand to include USciences’ pharmaceutical business programs. The School of Health Professions will include this historic Philadelphia College of Pharmacy as well as other professional programs like occupational therapy, physical therapy and Physician Assistant studies, among others. The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy’s reputation and legacy will be stewarded through the continued use of its name and identity, and the Samson name will be honored within the School of Health Professions.
A combined Saint Joseph’s will expand the best-of-both city and suburban locations as well as an enhanced campus experience for students with state-of-the-art laboratories and more educational programs. The University’s Jesuit identity will remain central to its mission and core to the educational experience provided to students, while welcoming and celebrating all faith traditions.
For more information, please visit sju.edu/usciences.