Pharmacy 3+4 Programs

Your pharmacy degree starts here.

Pharmacy 3+4 Programs

As an aspiring pharmacist, your role in the healthcare industry will be pivotal. Susquehanna University’s unique pharmacy 3+4 programs allow students to accelerate their Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), earning both a bachelor’s degree from Susquehanna and a doctoral degree through our partnerships with Duquesne University or Temple University in only seven years.

During your first year at Susquehanna, you will have the distinctive opportunity to engage in cutting-edge collaborative research. Through hands-on experiences, you’ll apply the knowledge gained in the classroom to scientific challenges, effectively preparing yourself for the demands of a pharmacy program.

Susquehanna emphasizes comprehensive training in scientific communication, enabling you to master skills such as presenting research findings and contributing to peer-reviewed publications. With small class sizes and interactive, research-oriented courses, you’ll foster a strong sense of community while developing a diverse skill set that will equip you for a successful career.

Why a 3+4 Degree Instead of a Traditional Four-Year Degree?

By following the pharmacy 3+4 programs, you can save a year of study and earn both a bachelor’s degree and a doctoral degree in just seven years.

Susquehanna’s smaller class settings and early research opportunities help you develop important skills, such as:

Essential laboratory skills and hands-on experience with cutting-edge equipment.
Critical thinking and problem-solving.
Scientific writing and communication.

You will develop other lifelong skills such as active listening, cultural competency, empathy, emotional intelligence and adaptability, and you will be ready to embark on the professional phase of your education at the end of three years, instead of four.

RESEARCH TO CURB IMPACT OF PHARMACEUTICALS IN WATERWAYS

The best way to learn is by doing, and that’s precisely what you’ll find at Susquehanna. Lou Ann Tom, an associate professor of chemistry with 19 years of industry experience in pharmaceuticals, collaborates with her students for important research.

A close-up of several small glass vials with labels in a circular holder. The container is part of a laboratory instrument, likely for chemical or medical analysis. The background is blurred, emphasizing the vials.

100%

of students conduct research with faculty by their junior year

$1.2m

in recent National Science Foundation funding for scholarships, summer research funding and major instrumentation

75%

of students present their research at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society

“The medicinal chemistry and biochemistry courses offered at Susquehanna prepared me very well for my journey to obtain a doctorate of pharmacy degree. I give credit to my advisor for encouraging me to take the medicinal chemistry course, which sparked my interest in pursuing a career in pharmacy.”

— Anna Ream ’22

Pharmacy

Chemistry

Explore Your Studies

Four-Year Preview

This just an example of a possible 3-year roadmap for chemistry 3+4 major planning to continue at Duquesne University. Actual course sequences change depending on math placement, AP or transfer credit and student preference. Additionally, some choice of elective courses may be fixed depending on the pre-requisites at partner institution. Upon successful completion of the first year at the partner institution, students will transfer back the remaining credits towards Susquehanna graduation requirements.

First Year – Fall Semester (18 credits)

First-year seminar
Calculus I
General Chemistry I
Central Curriculum Elective
Language I

First Year – Spring (20 credits)

Calculus II
Organic Chemistry I
Language II
Cell Biology and Genetics
Writing and Thinking

Second Year – Fall (20 credits)

Statistics
Organic Chemistry II
Introductory Physics I (calculus based)
Central Curriculum Elective
Economics

Second Year – Spring (20 credits)

Structure and Reactivity
Methods of Chemical Analysis
Introductory Physics II (calculus based)
Central Curriculum Elective
GO Prep Class
Chemistry Seminar
Chemistry Research Experience

Third Year – Fall (20 credits)

Physical Chemistry I
Inorganic Chemistry
Central Curriculum Elective
Linear Algebra
Chemistry Research Experience
Chemistry Seminar
GO Reflection Class

Third Year – Spring (20 credits)

Chemistry Seminar
Physical Chemistry II
Instrumental Analysis
Central Curriculum Elective(s)
Chemistry Capstone

This just an example of a possible 3-year roadmap for biochemistry 3+4 major planning to continue at Duquesne University or Temple University. Actual course sequences change depending on math placement, AP or transfer credit and student preference. Additionally, some choice of elective courses may be fixed depending on the pre-requisites at partner institution. Upon successful completion of the first year at the partner institution, students will transfer back the remaining credits towards Susquehanna graduation requirements.

First Year – Fall (18 credits)

First-year seminar
Calculus I
General Chemistry I
Central Curriculum Elective
Language I

First Year – Spring (20 credits)

Calculus II
Organic Chemistry I
Language II
Cell Biology and Genetics
Writing and Thinking

Second Year – Fall (20 credits)

Statistics
Organic Chemistry II
Introductory Physics I (calculus based)
Central Curriculum Elective
Economics

Second Year – Spring (20 credits)

Structure and Reactivity
Methods of Chemical Analysis
Introductory Physics II (calculus based)
Central Curriculum Elective
GO Prep Class
Chemistry Seminar
Chemistry Research Experience

Third Year – Fall (16–18 credits)

Physical Chemistry I
Biology Elective(s)
Biochemistry of Proteins and Enzymes with lab
Chemistry Research Experience
Chemistry Seminar
GO Reflection Class

Third Year – Spring (16–20 credits)

Biochemistry of Metabolism with lab
Central Curriculum Elective(s)
Chemistry Capstone
Chemistry Seminar

This just an example of a possible 3-year roadmap for biochemistry 3+4 major (ACS track) planning to continue at Duquesne University. Actual course sequences change depending on math placement, AP or transfer credit and student preference. Additionally, some choice of elective courses may be fixed depending on the pre-requisites at partner institution. Upon successful completion of the first year at the partner institution, students will transfer back the remaining credits towards Susquehanna graduation requirements.

First Year – Fall (18 credits)

First-year seminar
Calculus I
General Chemistry I
Central Curriculum Elective
Language I

First Year – Spring (20 credits)

Calculus II
Organic Chemistry I
Language II
Cell Biology and Genetics
Writing and Thinking

Second Year – Fall (20 credits)

Statistics
Organic Chemistry II
Introductory Physics I (calculus based)
Central Curriculum Elective
Economics

Second Year – Spring (20 credits)

Structure and Reactivity
Methods of Chemical Analysis
Introductory Physics II (calculus based)
Central Curriculum Elective
GO Prep Class
Chemistry Seminar
Chemistry Research Experience

Third Year – Fall (20 credits)

Physical Chemistry I
Inorganic Chemistry
Biochemistry of Proteins and Enzymes with lab
Chemistry Research Experience
Chemistry Seminar
GO Reflection Class

Third Year – Spring (16–20 credits)

Biochemistry of Metabolism with lab
Physical Chemistry II or Instrumental Analysis
Central Curriculum Elective(s)
Chemistry Capstone
Chemistry Seminar

SuSQUEHANNA and beyond

Susquehanna’s Pharmacy Program Partners

Bird's-eye view of a college campus featuring historic red-brick buildings surrounded by trees. The scene includes pathways and a courtyard in the center, with a blend of architectural styles and greenery.

Duquesne University

Since 2012, the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy is the only pharmacy school in the country to require participation in a professional development and advocacy course for graduation.

Explore

A red flag with a white emblem hangs outside a stone building with large windows and intricate architectural details. Bare tree branches are visible to the left.

Temple University

Established in 1901, Temple University School of Pharmacy is one of the oldest pharmacy schools in the country and is among the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry hubs of the northeastern United States.

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STUDENT RESEARCH THAT MATTERS

As soon as their very first year at Susquehanna, students can participate in research opportunities. By graduation, students acquire a wealth of laboratory experience and research knowledge that empowers them to excel in their careers or pursue further education.

Learn more about Ethan Fix ’22 and his pharmaceutical research.