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STEUBENVILLE, OH— Responding to a growing industry demand for pharmacists, ̽������ has partnered with the prestigious Duquesne University School of Pharmacy to give students the opportunity to earn a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) after beginning their studies at Franciscan.

The new program, which is similar to Franciscan’s agreement with the D’Youville College School of Pharmacy in Buffalo, New York, paves the way for academically qualified students to attend ̽������ for two or three years of pre­pharmacy course work before transferring to the Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy for the “professional phase” of their studies. Under the terms of the agreement, at least four Franciscan students will be admitted into the Mylan School of Pharmacy each year, provided they meet the academic criteria. Additional qualified Franciscan applicants will be given preferential consideration during the application phase.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our pharmacy students to benefit from the best aspects of ̽������—our core curriculum, small class sizes, and dynamic Catholic mission—while also experiencing all that a graduate professional institution like Duquesne has to offer,” said Dr. Eric Haenni, ̽������ associate professor of biology.

“Pharmacy is a growing field with employment opportunities,” he added. “By forging agreements with D’Youville College and now Duquesne, our students are still within vibrant Catholic institutions while attaining those terminal degrees.”

Franciscan students will have two paths to choose from if qualified and accepted into the program: a 2+4 track and 3+4 track. Under the 2+4 track, students who complete their course work at Franciscan will graduate with an associate degree in general studies before entering Duquesne for four years of additional study. Conversely, students may choose to stay a third year at Franciscan and, upon transferring and completing a year of course work at Duquesne, will be able to transfer credits back to Franciscan to receive a bachelor’s of science in chemistry or biology. These students will then receive a doctor of pharmacy after completing the remaining three years at Duquesne.

Located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, just 40 miles from the campus of ̽������, the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy is nationally recognized for its outstanding academic programs, hands-on training, and research and leadership opportunities for students. Ranked second among Catholic schools of pharmacy by U.S. News and World Report, the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy ranks third among private pharmacy schools in funding by the National Institutes of Health. Graduates have a 99% job placement rate, with average starting salaries of over $110,000 a year.

“Having a local Catholic institution, especially one less than an hour away from our campus, gives our local students a direct continuum in both their education and personal development,” said Haenni.

In addition to its academic and research accolades, the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy maintains a Catholic spiritual identity committed to helping the vulnerable and needy. Through the Duquesne University Pharmacy and Center for Pharmacy Care, students offer free health screenings to underserved communities in Pittsburgh and perform low-cost immunizations and screenings to the medically underserved throughout the region.

Pharmacists have continually ranked among the most promising professional careers. LinkedIn ranked pharmacist as the second-best career to have for 2017, noting a high median salary of $123,000 as well over 1,000 new job openings nationally on a year-to-year basis.