Pathways Beyond Saint Joseph's

Saint Joseph’s University students can earn a second degree, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), through a partnership with Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing. Villanova is offering priority admission for Saint Joseph’s students who apply to the Second-Degree Accelerated BSN program. A minimum of five qualified Saint Joseph’s students annually will be offered admission to this second-degree option. 

Students enrolling in the accelerated program can choose a 14-month or 23-month track that incorporates all of the standard components of Villanova’s Nursing program in a concentrated timeframe. This program will provide students with opportunities to collaborate with expert faculty mentors on research projects, professional membership and involvement, and graduate study opportunities. 

To qualify for admission consideration, students must meet the following criteria by October 1 of their senior year at Saint Joseph's.

• Have a bachelor’s degree or be working toward one in any field other than nursing
• GPA of 3.0
• Complete all nursing prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher

Prospective students may identify their interest in this option as early as their first or second year at Saint Joseph's so that they can begin working with the Villanova Nursing representatives early in the process.

Learn more about the Villanova Partnership Agreement

Saint Joseph’s students have the opportunity to apply to Thomas Jefferson University’s Accelerated BSN Plus programs (ABSN+) through an affiliation agreement between the universities. 

After completing their junior year, qualified Saint Joseph’s students will be either guaranteed admission or guaranteed an interview for admission into Jefferson’s ABSN+ -1 Year Pathway or ABSN+ - 2 Year Pathway program.

Program Eligibility Requirements

Students are eligible for the Program if they meet the following requirements:

• Students must be first-time applicants to JCN’s ABSN+. Students may not have been previously enrolled in any nursing program at any other institution. 
• Students must be pursuing a four-year, undergraduate bachelor’s degree, in any major, from SJU. Students must be enrolled full-time at SJU, in good standing.  
• Students must have fulfilled, or be in the process of fulfilling, as part of their bachelor’s degree, the 60 undergraduate-level semester course credits earned or prerequisite courses listed below. 
  • For purposes of the admission criteria described in Section III, only the following Prerequisites shall count towards the “Science Prerequisite GPA”
    • Anatomy & Physiology I and II with labs 
      • full semester of Human Anatomy with lab and full semester of Human Physiology with lab 
    • Chemistry I with lab 
    • Microbiology with lab  

Students must apply to ABSN+ no later than January 15 after they complete their undergraduate junior year. While there is no limit to the number of Students who may apply to JCN under the Program, Guaranteed Admission or a Guaranteed Interview is subject to availability of seats in the ABSN+(s) at the time of application.

The following requirements must be met:

• Minimum 1350 SAT (not lower than 650 in either section) or 30 ACT scores
• 3.5 overall GPA - with no individual course grade lower than a B
• 3.5 science GPA - must have completed at least four (4) required core natural science (BIO 101 & 102, with lab, CHM 120 & 125, with lab) and a statistics course (MAT 118), with two of these having been taken in one semester
• Perform 500 or more clinical hours working directly with individuals with autism (prior to matriculation at SKMC)

Students who meet the requirements and are provisionally accepted will:

• Complete a mentored summer experience at SKMC between their junior and senior years of their undergraduate program focused on the care of individual with neurodiverse conditions to be continued while at SKMC
• Not need to take the MCAT examination to be admitted to SKMC through the Scholar Program
• Be encouraged to pursue independent research at the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support

Note: SKMC Scholars accepted into the Program are to understand that admission is provisional. Final Admission to SKMC will be predicated on successful completion of coursework, satisfaction of all Program requirements and obtaining a degree from Saint Joseph's University.

If students are not accepted into or do not complete the Scholar program, they will still have the opportunity to study for the MCATs and apply through the traditional pathway. Additional note: Scholars may defer matriculation to SKMC for up to one year.

Students apply to the program during their junior year at Saint Joseph’s University. Students will fulfill the requirements for the BS in physics at Saint Joseph's, which includes the general education curriculum and essential prerequisites for entry into one of Drexel’s MS programs. The fifth year of the program will be completed at Drexel.

Current Saint Joseph’s students should meet the following criteria by June of their junior year in order to be eligible for the program: 

• Cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher 
• A grade of “B” or better in all undergraduate physics and math courses
• Personal statement describing why this program meets their future goals
• Two letters of recommendation from SJU physics faculty

Additional information and questions about this 4+1 program and application process can be directed to Elia V. Eschenazi, PhD, professor and chair of physics.