Preparing Compassionate
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
Turn your passion into a profession with practical training and experience at the School of Health Professions.
Become a Health Innovator
Whatever your path, the School of Health Professions offers a wide range of opportunities to help you reach your goals. Our programs feature a rigorous, established curriculum paired with the Jesuit, liberal arts core, as well as accelerated models for undergraduate students who want to pursue advanced careers in occupational therapy, physical therapy, pharmacy and physician assistant studies. Our School is also home to the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, the first college of pharmacy in North America.
Pro Bono Clinic Supports Community and Students
The University’s Samson Free Rehab has a new home, but its 20-year mission remains resolute: provide care for the community’s vulnerable populations while training the healthcare leaders of tomorrow.
Chinne Ezeigwe, DPT ’24, born in Onitsha, Nigeria, says attending Saint Joseph’s has not only made her feel at home but also prepared her for life after college. She plans on traveling after graduation and finding a community where she can make a difference.
Through research for her doctor of occupational therapy capstone, she’s demonstrating that time around a hive can reduce stress and improve well-being.
Faculty and students at Saint Joseph’s School of Health Professions take a holistic approach to healthcare education and practice.
Hands-On Approach
As a student in the School of Health Professions, you'll use state-of-the-art tools in a nurturing environment that supports your passions and gain experience in real-world settings, like Philadelphia's world-class medical centers and research facilities. You'll also benefit from expert practitioner faculty in your field of study, providing you with unparalleled mentorship and opportunities for groundbreaking research. You'll leave here ready to innovate and lead the future of healthcare.
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Designed for those who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, Saint Joseph’s University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is an accredited doctoral program that prepares graduate students for a fulfilling career in physical therapy.
An accelerated curriculum that focuses on experiential learning, our 31-month Doctor of Physical Therapy program will teach you evidence-based techniques and empower you to practice independently and work collaboratively in diverse health care environments.
The intensive curriculum in these programs paired with our Jesuit, liberal arts core challenges Saint Joseph’s students to think critically, problem solve creatively, and communicate effectively."
![Cathy Poon, PhD]()
Cathy Y. Poon, BS, PharmD, FPPA, FCPP, FNAP,Interim Dean of the School of Health Professions
Experiential Learning
At Saint Joseph's, you'll not only have the opportunity to interface with healthcare organizations during your studies but also work collaboratively with students and faculty outside of your discipline. You'll also make an impact by participating in community service such as our on-campus, pro-bono clinic, which provides free PT and OT services to the West Philadelphia community.
Dive Into Research
In addition to honing your skills in the country’s medical and research centers and clinics, you’ll train using state-of-the-art equipment in our innovative labs and facilities. You’ll work collaboratively with students and expert faculty within and outside of your discipline, gaining critical research skills and making meaningful scientific discoveries. Here's what you can expect:
Housed in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, the Industrial Pharmacy Laboratory (IPHL) is a full-scale pharmaceutical research facility offering drug delivery research services, including preformulation, formulation development and drug delivery systems development.
Physical therapy students have the opportunity to engage in research alongside our faculty, as well as independent community projects. Examples of recent projects include an online exercise program for people diagnosed with cancer and an interactive exercise for people with traumatic brain injuries.
Find state-of-the-art clinical laboratories and equipment in the Glasser/Woodland Hall complex, including our BTE Technologies™ Advanced Training and Research Lab, which lets our OT and PT students learn about the most effective treatment options on the most advanced tech in the field.
Join the Nation’s First Pharmacy School
The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (PCP) is where modern pharmacy started. Since its founding in 1821 as the first college of pharmacy in North America, names like McNeil, Lilly, Wyeth — founders of the top pharmaceutical companies in the world — and many others have launched their careers here. Today, it’s home to programs in pharmacy (PharmD), pharmaceutical sciences, and pharmacology and toxicology, continuing the tradition of excellence with our hands-on approach.
Affiliations and Partnerships
As a student at Saint Joseph's University, you'll gain unparalleled clinical opportunities, thanks to our extensive list of affiliations and partnerships with healthcare providers such as Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Hospital and the Philadelphia Osteopathic College of Medicine.
