Saint Joseph’s and USciences Finalize Merger Agreement

As outlined in a finalized agreement in early June, the University of the Sciences will merge with and into Saint Joseph’s. Both universities bring together student-focused missions with hundreds of years of history. The merger agreement is designed to offer more programs to students in sought-after fields, expand interdisciplinary opportunities and widen the reach of Saint Joseph’s mission.

Combined, the institutions would enroll more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students and have an endowment in excess of a half-billion dollars and more than 95,000 living alumni.

“This is truly a transformational and exciting opportunity,” notes Saint Joseph’s President Mark C. Reed, Ed.D., in a letter to University faculty and staff. “[This partnership allows us] to continue Saint Joseph’s growth and evolution as one of our region’s best comprehensive universities and expand the scope and reach of our Jesuit educational mission.”

Both universities have emphasized that the proposed partnership is a strategic move that will be mutually beneficial.

“This is an example of opportunity, not born out of necessity,” Reed said in an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer.

In early 2020, USciences approached Saint Joseph’s about the possibility of a partnership. The process revealed the complementary nature of the universities’ academic portfolios, but also, and most importantly, the shared focus on students and access to quality education. Saint Joseph’s has a rich history in liberal arts, business and education that will strengthen the educational foundation of any scientist or health professional; adding USciences’ state-of-the art laboratories and industry-leading health sciences programs to its repertoire will create another educational pipeline for students interested in careers in pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and medicine.

The merger is anticipated to be complete in approximately one year, pending regulatory and accreditor approvals.