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A public health major at Saint ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ University is a perfect fit for service-oriented students who like to ask the bigger questions about health, understandÌýwhyÌýhealth differs across populations and address health disparities and social justice on a community level in diverse local, national and global settings. Public health is a natural fit with the Jesuit mission as a service-oriented field.Ìý

Public health professionals address challenging health-related issues in today's world, such as: How can social media be used to track disease outbreaks? How do we address the growing burden of cancer in low/middle-income countries? WhatÌýpolicies and interventionsÌýareÌýmost effective forÌýaddressing theÌýopioid crisis?ÌýÌýHow do we ensure safe drinking water in communities across the globe?Ìý

Saint ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ University's B.S. in Public Health is offered through the College for Public Health and Social Justice and is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.

Program Highlights

• Immediate impact. Public health students at Saint ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ University can immediately impact community health with aÌýcurriculum that emphasizes hands-on learning, field exposure and social justice.
• Evidenced-based.ÌýAs public health majors, SLU students use evidence-based approaches to addressing health issues and examine theÌýroles of individual behavior, environment, biology, social structures and policy in determining health outcomes.
• Diverse opportunities. SLU's public health major opens the door to multiple career opportunities in various settings, including community organizations, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.Ìý
• Employment outlook.ÌýPublic health has faster-than-average job growth in a diverse workplace.
• Pre-medical studies.ÌýPre-med students who major in public health at SLU gain a more robust understanding of how social, community, organizational, environmental and policy factors affect the health of their future patients.
• Medallion Program.Ìý Designed for first-year students in all CPHSJ majors, this program connects first-year students with each other, their major, and the College through social, academic enhancement and professional development events, as well as faculty mentoring.

Additional degree options for students majoring in public health at SLU include:

• SLU's accelerated program in which students earn a B.S. in Public Health in four years and a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) with one additional year ofÌýstudy; studentsÌýapply to this program during their fifth semester of study
• A pre-med track for students interested in going to medical school
• A medical scholars track for students in the Medical Scholars Program
• Honors courses for students in SLU's Honors Program

Curriculum Overview

SLU's Bachelor of Science in Public Health curriculum contains 36 credits of major courses that include contemporary challenges in health care, global health, evidence-based practice, epidemiology, biostatistics, advocacy/policy and the biological basis of public health. Students also take six credits of public health electives, drawn from courses offered across disciplines. In the senior capstone course, students complete a culminating project and portfolio to demonstrate their achievement of program learning outcomes.Ìý

The University Core curriculum requirements and general education credits fulfill the remainder of the 120 credits required for graduation. Many students use their elective courses to pursue secondary majors, minors, or pre-med requirements.

Fieldwork and ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Opportunities

Field exposure is an integral part of SLU's undergraduate public health experience. Students can embody Saint ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ University’s Jesuit mission by using the knowledge they gain in the classroom to serve others through internships, volunteerism and other service opportunities.Ìý Field exposure, hands-on projects and engagement with public health practitioners provide valuable experience and help public health students connect with the St. ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ community.ÌýÌýStudents can also volunteer with health care providers and agencies that serve underserved communities, assist faculty with research projects and apply to national internships and summer programs in public health.Ìý

Students are encouraged to participate in internships and summer research opportunities to further enhance their learning experiences.ÌýInternships can be completed on a volunteer basis or for general elective academic credit. Public health students have interned at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Procter and Gamble, Barnes Jewish Hospital, SSM Health–St. ÀË»¨Ö±²¥, the Regional Health Commission, departments of health and more.Ìý Ìý

Students can also become members of various student organizations focused on public health issues to get to know other students and engage in additional service, networking and leadership opportunities.

Careers

A B.S. in public health prepares students for entry-level careers in a variety of settings, including departments of health, government agencies, nonprofit and community health organizations, hospitals, academic centers, advocacy organizations, the pharmaceutical industry and consulting agencies. It is also excellent preparation for graduate school.Ìý

Examples of career options in public health include:

• Working with a community organization or health department to implement and evaluate community health interventions about issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or cancer
• Doing infection prevention work in hospitals and other healthcare settings
• Conducting surveillance of chronic and infectious diseases for local, regional or state health departments
• Analyzing and developing health policy for a governmental agency
• Conducting public health research in an academic setting
• Monitoring clinical trials in the pharmaceutical industry
• Analyzing health outcomes for insurance companies
• Collaborating with school districts to bring opportunities for physical activity into elementary and high schools
• Designing public health media campaigns, such as those to encourage wearing a seat belt or discourage tobacco use
• ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ing the effect of air pollution on a population’s health and advocating for policy change
• Implementing programs aimed at violence prevention or women’s empowerment
• Studying the barriers to healthy eating at both the personal and societal levels
• Working for a nongovernmental organization that designs clean water and sanitation systems in developing countries

Students also have the option to complete fellowships, programs or a year of service following graduation. Graduates have completed fellowships with the Peace Corps, the United Nations, Fulbright, the World Health Organization and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

Admission Requirements

Saint ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ University also accepts the Common Application.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test.Ìý

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.

Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit mustÌýsubmit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ University. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

TuitionÌý

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ University education:

• Scholarships:ÌýScholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid:ÌýFinancial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Saint ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2022, 99% of first-time freshmen and 90% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $445 million in aid University-wide.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visitÌýwww.slu.edu/financial-aid.

AccreditationÌý

Saint ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ University's College for Public Health and Social Justice is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). To see our most recent accreditation documentation, please visit theÌýCollege for Public Health and Social Justice website.

1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate foundational knowledge of public health in relation to human cultures, history, science and policy.
2. Graduates will be able to identify health characteristics, determinants and needs across diverse populations.
3. Graduates will be able to recognize ways to implement evidence-based approaches to public health issues in communities.
4. Graduates will be able to communicate public health issues with an emphasis on social justice and the core disciplines of public health.

‡

Fulfills the cultural diversity core requirement.

†

Students choose 6 credits of electives from a pre-approved list of classes (see list below and Roadmap). ÌýStudents should consult with CPHSJ Academic Advisors when selecting Public Health major elective courses.

Continuation Standards

• Cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.00
• Minimum grade of C in all ÌýB.S. in Public Health major courses
• Minimum grade of C- in all major pre-requisite courses
• Minimum grade of D in all core courses
• Minimum grade of D in all remaining general elective courses counting toward the minimum 120 credits required for graduation
• Students who wish to apply for the accelerated B.S./M.P.H. program must meet additional requirements as outlined in the CPHSJ Undergraduate Public Health Student Handbook.

Approved Public Health Elective Courses

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollmentÌýunless otherwise noted. Ìý

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

General TrackÌý

‡

Fulfills the cultural diversity core requirement.

§

See information in Program Notes

Pre-medical students must consult with their academic advisor, and with SLU's Office of Pre-Health and Pre-Law Studies to ensure the proper pre-medical course registrations.

For additional questions about undergraduate admission, please contact:
Katie Linnenbrink
Administrative Assistant
Tegeler Hall 300 West
314-977-3934
katie.linnenbrink@slu.eduÌý

2+SLU programs are formalÌý transfer agreements for students seeking an associate degree at a partner institution.Ìý

• Public Health, B.S. (STLCC 2+SLU)