Health Management, B.S.

Student Handbook

Health management is a major for students interested in business, health care, and health and wellness in communities. Health care delivery is a highly complex topic, and there is a need for trained individuals who can work toward recommending, implementing, operating and evaluating changes to the system. Decisions made by health care executives help improve the lives of millions of people every day. A degree in health management from Saint Louis University educates students about the business side of public health and health care, built upon a foundation in Jesuit-based liberal arts, business and public policy. 

• SLU's health management degree provides unique insight into the evolving priorities of the health industry, from individualized treatment to integrated preventative care.
• Health management majors gain knowledge and skills vital to understanding the role of the health care system in implementing policies and processes that impact the complex challenges facing the health of communities.
• A health management degree empowers students to pursue multiple career options and graduate degree paths, each of which can open doors to executive-level careers.
• Pre-med students benefit greatly from a health management major, as they gain a strong understanding of the organizational systems in which they work.

Additional degree options include:

• Accelerated program for high-achieving students who wish to earn a B.S. in health management in four years and a Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.) with one additional year of study; students apply to this selective program during their fifth semester of study 
• Pre-med track for students interested in going to medical school
• Medical Scholars track for students in the Medical Scholars Program
• Honors Courses for students in the Honors Program

Curriculum Overview

SLU's health management major contains 36 credits of major courses that focus on the business elements of health systems, including marketing, finance, technology, human resources, organization, and strategic planning. Classes cover a range of topics including health care economics, management of health care organizations, health care financial management, business sectors in health care, biostatistics and epidemiology.  

SLU's health management curriculum prepares students to:

• Describe the impact of social, cultural, economic, financial and political factors on health care organizations.
• Understand and explain the application of relevant information technology, including databases, in health care.
• Identify and articulate the diverse values and needs of relevant stakeholders.
• Apply the principles and core functions of management and decision theory.

Case studies and group work prepare students to work in teams and as leaders who are responsible for decision making in all areas of the health care industry. Through career development activities integrated into coursework, students are exposed to the philosophical approaches, leadership styles, policy processes and decision-making strategies used by successful health care management executives, health policymakers, and health policy analysts across the spectrum of the health sector. 

A core curriculum of humanities, science, math and social science courses, along with general electives fills out the remainder of the 120 credits required for graduation. Many students use their elective courses to pursue double majors or minors.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Many local and national organizations are eager to involve students studying health management in their work. Students are encouraged to participate in internships to further enhance their learning experiences at Saint Louis University. Students have interned at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, SSM Health St. Louis and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Ronald McDonald House, Express Scripts and more.

Saint Louis University has a strong service-learning component. Students can embody the institution’s Jesuit mission by using the knowledge they gain in the classroom to serve others. Service learning also provides valuable field experience and helps health management students connect with the St. Louis community.

Students can volunteer at health care providers and agencies that serve underprivileged communities, assist faculty with research projects and apply to national internships and summer program in health management. Students can also become members of the Public Health Club to get to know other health management students and engage in additional service, networking and leadership opportunities.

Careers

Careers exist in health-focused organizations, industry and clinical settings. The need for a trained health management workforce will increase going forward to meet the needs of a growing world population and ever-changing health care systems.

A career in health management offers job opportunities that can suit a wide variety of interests and skills. Graduates of the College for Public Health and Social Justice are employed in many different settings, including:

• Consulting firms
• Consumer advocacy organizations
• Emergency preparedness organizations
• Federal, state and local health agencies
• Hospitals and integrated health care systems
• Long-term and extended care and health insurance companies
• Medical service organizations
• Physician management organizations
• Private business and industry
• University and private research centers

Admission Requirements

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 course work is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file. College admission test scores (ACT or SAT) are used as an additional indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University and are used as qualifiers for certain University scholarship programs. To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the General Education Development (GED) test.

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from 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 Louis University.

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 Louis 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.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

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

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.

Accreditation

The College for Public Health and Social Justice is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

1. Graduates will be able to describe the impact of social, cultural, economic, financial, and political factors on health care organizations.
2. Graduates will be able to demonstrate problem solving skills.
3. Graduates will be able to understand and explain the application of relevant information technology, including databases, in health care.
4. Graduates will be able to distinguish between and use quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods.
5. Graduates will be able to understand the importance of and demonstrate the ability to work with others to achieve organizational goals.
6. Graduates will be able to apply the principles and core functions of management and decision theory.
7. Graduates will be able to identify and articulate the diverse values and needs of relevant stakeholders.
8. Graduates will be able to develop, organize, and express ideas and information clearly.
9. Graduates will be able to describe motivational strategies that elicit desired behaviors and inspire others toward a shared vision.
10. Graduates will be able to identify and use appropriate communication strategies based on audience characteristics and communication goals.

Continuation Standards

• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.50
• Minimum grade of “C” B.S. in Health Management 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
• Students who wish to apply for the accelerated B.S./M.H.A. program must meet additional requirements as outlined in the CPHSJ Undergraduate Public Health Student Handbook

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.

Program Notes

Minimum of 120 credits including requirements listed above & cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 to graduate and/or remain in good standing with the program.

Approved English Literature Courses

See Arts & Sciences core BS requirements full listing.

Not ENGL 3850 Foundations Rhetoric & Writing (3 cr) through ENGL 3870 Technical Writing (3 cr) or ENGL 4100 History of the English Language (3 cr) through ENGL 4120 Language Studies: Topics (3 cr)

Approved Fine Arts Courses

See Arts & Sciences core BS requirements for full listing.

Approved Human Biology Courses

Approved Social Sciences

Any courses from Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Economics, Forensic Science, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.

Communication

Communication Sciences & Disorders

Education

Social Work