Saint Josephs University
Saint Joseph's University is a private Jesuit Catholic university founded in 1851 by the Society of Jesus, with campuses that straddle the Philadelphia-Lower Merion border. It serves about 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students through programs shaped by core Jesuit principles: cura personalis (care for the whole person), men and women for and with others, and the magis (excellence in all things). The 2022 merger with University of the Sciences transformed the institution into a comprehensive university, adding significant programs in pharmacy, health sciences, and science to its traditional arts, business, and education offerings.[1]
History
Saint Joseph's College started in 1851 to serve Philadelphia's growing Catholic population. The Society of Jesus built it on classical education grounded in the Jesuit ratio studiorum tradition. Through the 1800s and 1900s, the institution expanded with professional programs while holding fast to Jesuit educational philosophy, which emphasized rigorous inquiry, ethical development, and service to others. University status arrived in 1978, reflecting the growth of graduate programs and academic scope.[1]
Then came 2022. That's when Saint Joseph's merged with University of the Sciences, which had been founded in 1821 as the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. The combination worked well: Saint Joseph's brought strengths in business, education, and liberal arts, while the sciences school contributed programs in pharmacy, health sciences, and natural sciences. A comprehensive university emerged. Jesuit mission now worked alongside science and health professions traditions. Both institutions' legacies were preserved, and the combined organization became stronger than either alone.[1]
Academic Programs
The Erivan K. Haub School of Business has built a strong reputation for undergraduate and graduate business education. Food marketing, pharmaceutical marketing, and finance are particular strengths. Experiential learning matters here: consulting projects, internships, and study abroad tie classroom work to professional practice. The College of Arts and Sciences offers liberal arts and sciences programs rooted in Jesuit traditions while preparing students for diverse careers and graduate study.[1]
The University of the Sciences merger brought pharmacy (PharmD degree), physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, and natural sciences programs into the fold. The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy within Saint Joseph's carries on traditions reaching back to 1821, making it the oldest pharmacy school in North America. Integration with the university's broader resources and Jesuit mission strengthens these health professions programs.[1]
Campus
The main campus sits across the Philadelphia-Lower Merion border, with parts in the city's Wynnefield neighborhood and parts in Montgomery County's Lower Merion Township. That unusual geography came from campus expansion across municipal boundaries. Barbelin Hall and other historic buildings anchor the space, while newer construction has added academic, residential, and athletic facilities.[1]
A second campus in West Philadelphia—the former home of University of the Sciences—houses pharmacy and health sciences programs near other academic medical institutions. University City offers different settings and specialized facilities for science and health professions education. Shuttle services and coordinated programming connect the two campuses.[1]
Athletics
Saint Joseph's competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference across twenty varsity sports. Basketball dominates the conversation. Multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and a legendary rivalry with Villanova define the program. The 2003-04 team went undefeated in the regular season before losing in the Elite Eight. Jameer Nelson played here. The Hawk mascot flaps its wings throughout every game, embodying an institutional spirit where "the Hawk will never die."[1]
Hagan Arena hosts basketball and volleyball. Sweeney Field hosts baseball. Various venues support other sports. Competitive success in basketball has given the Hawks visibility beyond what a typical mid-major receives, while other sports offer student-athletes opportunities in Division I with emphasis on the academic-athletic balance.[1]
Jesuit Mission
Jesuit identity shapes what happens on campus through programs, traditions, and expectations that set the institution apart from secular peers. Campus ministry, service immersion trips, and social justice education reflect Jesuit emphasis on faith and service. The Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support shows Jesuit commitment to those in need through specialized programs serving individuals with autism and their families.[1]
Pedagogy across disciplines reflects Jesuit education's emphasis on rigor, reflection, and formation. Students explore questions of meaning and purpose alongside professional preparation, developing capacities for leadership and service that extend beyond career success. Connections to the network of Jesuit colleges and universities link Saint Joseph's to resources and traditions far beyond a single institution.[1]
See Also
- Society of Jesus
- University of the Sciences
- Jesuit Education
- Big 5 Basketball
- Wynnefield, Philadelphia