Biostatistics, B.S. to Biostatistics and Health Analytics, M.S. Accelerated Program

Saint Louis University's accelerated B.S. in Biostatistics/M.S. in Biostatistics and Health Analytics is designed for students who demonstrate academic success in the biostatistics major and related coursework.

SLU's accelerated program enables biostatistics majors to obtain their undergraduate and master's degrees in five years; they then enter the workforce up to a year earlier than with a traditional two-year master's program. Students apply to the accelerated program during their fifth semester of collegiate study, and accepted students begin graduate coursework during their senior year. Students retain undergraduate status, financial aid and tuition rates until their undergraduate degree is conferred after year four. At that time, students attain official graduate student status, pay graduate tuition and become eligible for graduate assistantships. 

The B.S. in Biostatistics is offered through SLU's College for Public Health and Social Justice, which is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The degree uses the American Statistical Association's guidelines for undergraduate data health sciences

For additional information, see the catalog entries for the following SLU programs:

Biostatistics, B.S.

Biostatistics and Health Analytics, M.S.

Admission Requirements

SLU students in the biostatistics major who meet the eligibility requirements may apply to this program in the fall semester of their junior year. 

Eligibility requirements include:

  • Students must be in their fifth semester of collegiate study.
  • Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
  • Students must demonstrate a plan to complete 90 of the 120 credits required for their biostatistics major by the beginning of their fourth year of studies.
  • Students must be eligible to complete the accelerated curriculum with no more than 15 credits during each semester during year four of the program.
  • Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing with Saint Louis University and the College for Public Health and Social Justice.
  • Students must complete all BST and MATH courses at the 3000-level and below required for the B.S. BS in Biostatistics. in Biostatistics.

Application procedures and program details are outlined in the CPHSJ Undergraduate Public Health Student Handbook.

Program Requirements

Students apply for the accelerated program their junior year. Their senior year, students can enroll in up to 15 credits of graduate coursework that will count for both the B.S. and the M.S. degrees.

Continuation Standards

  • Cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 each semester
  • Minimum grade of B in all graduate-level courses
  • Minimum grade of C in all B.S. in Biostatistics major courses
  • Minimum grade of C- in all core courses
  • Minimum grade of D in all remaining general elective courses counting toward the minimum 120 credits required for graduation
 

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

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.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
CORE 1000 Ignite First Year Seminar 2-3
CORE 1500 Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community 1
CORE 1900 Eloquentia Perfecta 1: Written and Visual Communication 3
MATH 1510 Calculus I 4
PUBH 2100 Introduction to Global Health 3
General Elective 3
 Credits16-17
Spring
BST 3000 Intro to Statistical Computing 3
MATH 1520 Calculus II (Quantitative Reasoning) 4
CORE 1600 Ultimate Questions: Theology 3
General Elective 3
General Elective 3
 Credits16
Year Two
Fall
BST 3100 Applied Biostatistics I 3
CORE 1200 Eloquentia Perfecta 2: Oral and Visual Communication 3
CORE 1700 Ultimate Questions: Philosophy 3
MATH 2530 Calculus III 4
General Elective: Dignity, Ethics & a Just Society Attribute 3
 Credits16
Spring
BST 3200 Applied Biostatistics II 3
CORE 2500 Cura Personalis 2: Self in Contemplation 0
General Elective 3
General Elective 3
General Elective: Global Interdependence 3
General Elective: Identities in Context Attribute 3
 Credits15
Year Three
Fall
Critical course:  Eligible students formally apply to the Accelerated Program.  
CORE 2800 Eloquentia Perfecta 3: Creative Expression 2-3
CORE 3400 Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture 3
PUBH 3200 Evidence Based Public Health 3
PUBH 4100 Biological Basis of Public Health (Natural & Applied Sciences) 3
General Elective 3
General Elective 3
 Credits17-18
Spring
Department reviews applications, conducts interviews, and qualified students are notified of acceptance.  
CORE 3600 Ways of Thinking: Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
CORE 4000 Collaborative Inquiry 2-3
General Elective 3
General Elective: Writing Intensive 3
General Electives: Reflection in Action Attribute 3
 Credits14-15
Year Four
Fall
BST 4100 Theory of Biostatistics I (Accelerated Students will substitute BST 5020) 3
BST 4400 Introduction to Applied Data Management 3
EPI 4000 Intro Epidemiology: Foundations & Practice (Accelerated Students substitute PUBH 5030) or BST 5450) 1 3
General Elective 3
General Elective (If needed to reach 120 credits by degree conferral) 1-3
 Credits13-15
Spring
BST 4200 Theory of Biostatistics II (Accelerated Students will substitute BST 5025) 3
CORE 3500 Cura Personalis 3: Self in the World 1
EPI 4000 Intro Epidemiology: Foundations & Practice (Accelerated Students substitute PUBH 5030) or take Graduate Level course.) 1 3
General Elective - For Accelerated Students, a Graduate Level class substitutes in place of this General Elective. 3
General Elective 3
 Credits13
Year Five
Fall
Graduate Level Course 3
Graduate Level Course 3
Graduate Level Course 3
 Credits9
Spring
Graduate Level Course 3
Graduate Level Course 3
Graduate Level Course 3
 Credits9
 Total Credits138-143
Graduate Level Courses36
*Up to 12 credits will double count between the 120 credits required for the undergraduate degree and the 36 credits required for the graduate degree.

Students accepted to the accelerated program choose one of two concentrations:

  1. Traditional Biostatistics and Health Analytics Concentration
  2. Geospatial Health Data Analytics Concentration
1

Course depends on the MS track the student follows

 

Apply for Admission

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