The public health program is designed to give students the practical skills needed for any public health career. Graduate-level public health classes are taught by faculty who are internationally recognized as leaders in public health research and practice, and have diverse research interests.
Take the opportunity to present your research and promote change at Saint Louis University’s annual Global and Local Social Justice Student Conference.
A public health major is a perfect fit for students who are service-oriented and like to ask the bigger questions about health, understand why health differs across populations, and address health disparities and social justice on a community level in diverse local, national and global settings. As a service-oriented field, public health is a natural fit with the Jesuit mission.
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? How do we ensure safe drinking water in communities across the globe?
Saint Louis 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.
Additional degree options for students majoring in public health at SLU include:
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.
A core curriculum of humanities, science, math, foreign language, fine arts, 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 secondary majors or minors.
Service-learning is an integral part of SLU's public health curriculum. Students can embody Saint Louis University’s Jesuit mission by using the knowledge they gain in the classroom to serve others and bringing that service back to the classroom. Service-learning provides valuable field experience and helps public health students connect with the St. Louis community. Students complete a minimum of 45 hours of service learning across three courses in the major.
Students can 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. Students are encouraged to participate in internships and summer research opportunities to further enhance their learning experiences at Saint Louis University. Students have interned at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Procter and Gamble, Barnes Jewish Hospital, SSM Health–St. Louis, the Regional Health Commission, departments of health, and more.
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.
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.
Examples of career options in public health include:
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.
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. Saint Louis University also accepts the Common App.
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.
To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. Beginning with the 2021-22 academic year, undergraduate applicants will not be required to submit standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) in order to be considered for admission. Applicants will be evaluated equally, with or without submitted test scores.
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.
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.
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, 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 https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
The College for Public Health and Social Justice is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Most recent CEPH Self-Study - July 2016
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Core Courses | ||
BIOL 1240 & BIOL 1245 | General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution and Principles of Biology I Laboratory | 4 |
BIOL 1260 & BIOL 1265 | General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter and Principles of Biology II Laboratory | 4 |
ENGL 1900 | Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research | 3 |
HIST 1110 | Origins of the Modern World to 1500 | 3 |
HIST 1120 | Origins of the Modern World (1500 to Present) | 3 |
MATH 1400 | Pre-Calculus | 3 |
PHIL 1050 | Introduction to Philosophy: Self and Reality | 3 |
PHIL 2050 | Ethics | 3 |
THEO 1000 | Theological Foundations | 3 |
Fine & Performing Arts Elective | 3 | |
Foreign Language proficient to 1020-level | 6 | |
Literature Elective (2000+) | 3 | |
Social Science Electives (Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, etc.) | 6 | |
Theology Elective (THEO 2000+) | 3 | |
Required Public Health Major Courses | ||
BST 3100 | Applied Biostatistics I | 3 |
EPI 4000 | Intro Epidemiology: Foundations & Practice | 3 |
HCE 3100 | Public Health & Social Justice | 3 |
HMP 1300 | Contemporary Challenges in Health Care | 3 |
PUBH 2100 | Introduction to Global Health ‡ | 3 |
PUBH 2300 | Contemporary Issues in Global Health | 3 |
PUBH 3200 | Evidence Based Public Health | 3 |
PUBH 4000 | Politics and Public Health Advocacy | 3 |
PUBH 4100 | Biological Basis of Public Health | 3 |
PUBH 4960 | Capstone in Public Health | 3 |
Public Health Major Electives † | 6 | |
General Elective Courses | ||
Select an additional 34 credits of general electives to achieve the minimum 120 credits for graduation. | 34 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
‡ | Fulfills the cultural diversity core requirement. |
† | Students choose 6 credits of electives from a pre-approved list of classes (see Roadmap). Students should consult with CPHSJ Academic Advisors when selecting Public Health major elective courses. |
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.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
BIOL 1240 & BIOL 1245 |
General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution and Principles of Biology I Laboratory |
4 |
ENGL 1900 | Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research | 3 |
HIST 1110 | Origins of the Modern World to 1500 | 3 |
Language Level I or higher | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
BIOL 1260 & BIOL 1265 |
General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter and Principles of Biology II Laboratory |
4 |
MATH 1400 | Pre-Calculus | 3 |
PHIL 1050 | Introduction to Philosophy: Self and Reality | 3 |
PUBH 2100 | Introduction to Global Health ‡ | 3 |
Language Level 2 or higher | 3 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
HMP 1300 | Contemporary Challenges in Health Care | 3 |
PHIL 2050 | Ethics | 3 |
PUBH 2300 | Contemporary Issues in Global Health | 3 |
THEO 1000 | Theological Foundations | 3 |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
HCE 3100 | Public Health & Social Justice | 3 |
HIST 1120 | Origins of the Modern World (1500 to Present) | 3 |
ENGL 2000+ Literature Elective | 3 | |
Fine Arts Elective § | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
BST 3100 | Applied Biostatistics I | 3 |
Public Health Elective § | 3 | |
THEO 2000+ Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective ± | 1 | |
Credits | 13 | |
Spring | ||
PUBH 3200 | Evidence Based Public Health | 3 |
PUBH 4100 | Biological Basis of Public Health | 3 |
Social Science Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
EPI 4000 | Intro Epidemiology: Foundations & Practice | 3 |
PUBH 4000 | Politics and Public Health Advocacy | 3 |
Social Science Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
PUBH 4960 | Capstone in Public Health | 3 |
Public Health Elective § | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
‡ | Fulfills the cultural diversity core requirement. |
§ | See information in Program Notes |
± | One-credit elective can be taken if needed to earn 120 credits before graduation. |
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
BIOL 1240 & BIOL 1245 |
General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution and Principles of Biology I Laboratory |
4 |
CHEM 1110 & CHEM 1115 |
General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory |
4 |
ENGL 1900 | Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research | 3 |
MATH 1510 | Calculus I | 4 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
BIOL 1260 & BIOL 1265 |
General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter and Principles of Biology II Laboratory |
4 |
CHEM 1120 & CHEM 1125 |
General Chemistry 2 and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory |
4 |
PSY 1010 | General Psychology | 3 |
PUBH 2100 | Introduction to Global Health ‡ | 3 |
Credits | 14 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
BIOL 3020 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 3 |
CHEM 2410 & CHEM 2415 |
Organic Chemistry 1 and Organic Chemistry 1 Laboratory |
4 |
PUBH 2300 | Contemporary Issues in Global Health | 3 |
THEO 1000 | Theological Foundations | 3 |
Language Level 1 or higher | 3 | |
(Medical Scholars Only: PPHS 1050) | 0 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
BIOL 3040 | Cell Structure & Function | 3 |
CHEM 2420 & CHEM 2425 |
Organic Chemistry 2 and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory |
4 |
HMP 1300 | Contemporary Challenges in Health Care | 3 |
PHIL 1050 | Introduction to Philosophy: Self and Reality | 3 |
Language Level 2 or higher | 3 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
BST 3100 | Applied Biostatistics I | 3 |
HCE 3100 | Public Health & Social Justice | 3 |
HIST 1110 | Origins of the Modern World to 1500 | 3 |
PHYS 1310 & PHYS 1320 |
Physics I and Physics I Laboratory |
4 |
SOC 1100 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
HIST 1120 | Origins of the Modern World (1500 to Present) | 3 |
PHIL 2050 | Ethics | 3 |
PHYS 1330 & PHYS 1340 |
Physics II and Physics II Laboratory |
4 |
PUBH 3200 | Evidence Based Public Health | 3 |
PUBH 4100 | Biological Basis of Public Health | 3 |
Credits | 16 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
EPI 4000 | Intro Epidemiology: Foundations & Practice | 3 |
PUBH 4000 | Politics and Public Health Advocacy | 3 |
ENGL 2000+ Literature Elective | 3 | |
Public Health Elective § | 3 | |
General Elective (Medical Scholars take BIOL 3000+) * | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
PUBH 4960 | Capstone in Public Health | 3 |
Fine Arts Elective | 3 | |
Public Health Elective § | 3 | |
THEO 2000+ Elective | 3 | |
(Medical Scholars Only: BIOL 3000+) * | 0-3 | |
Credits | 12-15 | |
Total Credits | 120-123 |
‡ | Fulfills the cultural diversity core requirement. |
§ | See information in Program Notes. |
* | Students in the Medical Scholars Program take an upper level biology course in each semester senior year. Pre-Med students who are not Med Scholars may take a different class in the place of this requirement, or no course, if they anticipate they will earn 120 credits before degree conferral. |
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.
Minimum of 120 credits including requirements listed above and cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.50 to graduate and/or remain in good standing with the program.
ENGL 2000+ except for ENGL 2005, 3850-3870, 4000-4040, and 4100-4120.
See Arts and Sciences core BS requirements for a full listing.
See Arts and Sciences core BS requirements for a full listing.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ASTD 3200 | The Urban Crisis | 3 |
BIOL 4190 | GIS in Biology | 3 |
BST 3000 | Intro to Statistical Computing | 3 |
CCJ 2250 | Institutional & Community Corrections | 3 |
CCJ 3150 | Contemporary Theories of Crime | 3 |
CCJ 3400 | Victimology & Victimization | 3 |
CCJ 3500 | Race & Crime | 3 |
CCJ 3600 | Mental Health & Crime | 3 |
GIS 4010 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
MUSC 2300 | Intro to Music Therapy | 3 |
PUBH 2700 | Public Health Issues in Emergency Management | 3 |
PUBH 3930 | Special Topics | 3 |
PUBH 4930 | Special Topics | 3 |
POLS 3800/WGST 3510/SOC 3510 | The Structure of Poverty: Globally and Locally | 3 |
SWRK 2100 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
SWRK 2200 | Human Development Through the Life Span | 3 |
SWRK 5703 | International Social Work (undergraduate section) | 3 |
Any courses from anthropology, criminal justice, economics, forensic science, political science, psychology and sociology.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
CMM 1000 | Human Communication and Culture | 3 |
CMM 2000 | Communication Theory | 3 |
CMM 2800 | Communication Research | 3 |
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
CSDI 1000 | Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders | 3 |
CSDI 3000 | Cultural Linguistic Diversity | 3 |
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
EDF 2240 | Growth Development and Learning | 3 |
EDF 3620 | Multicultural Issues in the Classroom | 3 |
EDSP 4310 | Ed & Psych of the Exp Ind | 3 |
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
SWRK 1000 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
SWRK 2100 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
SWRK 2200 | Human Development Through the Life Span | 3 |
SWRK 3100 | Social Policy for Social Justice | 3 |
SWRK 3200 | Diversity & Anti-Oppression Practice | 3 |
Not field service |