The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has bestowed accreditation upon Saint Joseph’s University and the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia for its upcoming merger, taking the process one step closer to being finalized, writes Ryan Mulligan for the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Earlier this year, both schools announced the possibility of merging to expands student healthcare programs and studies. The 200-year-old Saint Joseph’s University would absorb over 2000 U Sciences students into their population of almost 7000 students. University of Sciences will merge into St. Joseph’s.

U Sciences’ historic Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Samson College of Health Science will continue as academic institutions within St. Joe’s.

After the merger is concluded, the President of St. Joseph’s University, Mark Reed, will stay on as president; since U Sciences President Paul Katz retired in 2021, the interim president has been Dr. Valerie Weil, who holds the role of chief operating and financial officer

On June 1, the accreditation will go into effect about the same time the merger will be complete. The Middle States Commission accredits 525 higher education institutions that grant degrees in the United States.

Read more about the accreditation and merger of University Sciences in Philadelphia and St. Joseph’s University at the Philadelphia Business Journal.