Health Management, B.S.

Student Handbook

Saint Louis University's B.S. in health management is offered through the College for Public Health and Social Justice, which is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. Health management is a major for SLU students interested in business, health care, and community health and wellness. 

Health care delivery is highly complex, and there is a need for trained individuals who can recommend, implement, operate and evaluate 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 SLU 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. 

• Health systems knowledge. SLU's health management degree provides unique insight into the evolving priorities of the health industry, from individualized treatment to integrated preventative care.
• Health care impact. Health management majors gain knowledge and skills vital to understanding the health care system's role in implementing policies and processes that impact the complex challenges facing the health of communities.
• Employment outlook. A health management degree empowers students to pursue multiple career options and graduate degree paths, which can open doors to executive-level careers.
• Pre-medical students. Pre-med students benefit greatly from a health management degree as they understand the organizational systems in which they work.
• Medallion Program. Designed for first-year students in all College for Public Health and Social Justice majors, this program connects first-year students with each other, their major, and the college through social, academic enhancement, professional development events, and faculty mentoring.

Additional degree options include:

• An accelerated program for students who wish to earn a Bachelor of Science 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 program during their fifth semester of study
• An opportunity to earn a public health minor with one additional course beyond major coursework
• A pre-med track for students interested in going to medical school
• A track for students in the Medical Scholars Program
• Honors courses for students in the Honors Program

Curriculum Overview

SLU's health management major contains 39 credits of major courses that focus on the business elements of health systems, including marketing, finance, human resources, organization and strategic planning. Classes cover topics including health care economics, management of health care organizations, health care financial management, business sectors in health care, population health, 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 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. 

Major prerequisite courses, the University Undergraduate Core Curriculum, and general electives 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 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 enhance their learning experiences at Saint Louis University. Internships can be completed on a volunteer basis or for general elective academic credit. Health management students have interned at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, 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 organizations and agencies that serve underprivileged communities, assist faculty with research projects and apply to national internships and summer programs in health management. Students can also join student organizations on campus to get to know other health management students and engage in additional service, networking and leadership opportunities.

Careers

Careers for graduates with a degree in health management exist in health-focused organizations, industry and clinical settings. The need for a trained health management workforce will increase 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 various interests and skills. Graduates of the College for Public Health and Social Justice are employed in settings including:

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

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

Saint Louis 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 Louis 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. 

Transfer

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

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 must submit 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 Louis 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
• All academic records must include an English translation. An official course-by-course transcript evaluation may be required and accepted.

Tuition 

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 Louis University education:

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

Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 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 February 1.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

Accreditation  

Saint Louis 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 the College for Public Health and Social Justice website.

1. Explain how the structure of the U.S. health care system influences the delivery of care to individuals and communities
2. Apply the principles of management to the most pressing needs that arise within health care organizations
3. Understand the role of and relationships between operational components of health care delivery organizations, such as finance, technology, compliance and clinical care
4. Describe ways to improve health care delivery grounded in ethics and justifiable strategy
5. Organize and express information necessary for moving an organization forward in ways specific to the audience

Continuation Standards

• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.00
• Minimum grade of C in all B.S. in Health Management 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 do not earn the minimum required grade in major courses or major pre-requisite courses must retake the course until the minimum grade is achieved.  Students who do not earn the minimum grade in a core or general elective can either retake the course or chose a different course to meet the requirement.  Students who earn a cumulative GPA of less than 2.00 will be placed on university probation per the University Catalog.
• 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.

• No more than six credits from another institution may be used towards major coursework.

Health Management Major Electives

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

Students who wish to fill core requirements with major classes should take:

• Public Health & Health Systems: PUBH-3100 (CORE: Dignity, Ethics, & a Just Society)
• Public Health & Health Systems: HMP-3800 (CORE: Collaborative Inquiry)
• HMP Major Electives:  PUBH-4100 (CORE: Ways of Thinking Natural & Applied Sciences)

Students who wish to earn a minor in public health with one extra course beyond the mealth management major should take the following major courses:

• Public Health & Health Systems Courses: PUBH-3100 & PUBH-4000
• HMP Major Electives: PUBH-4100 (CORE: Ways of Thinking: Natural & Applied Sciences) & EPI-4000

Apply for Admission

For additional questions about undergraduate admission, please contact:
Katie Linnenbrink
Administrative assistant
Wool Center, Suite 206
314-977-3934
cphsj_ug@slu.edu

2+SLU programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution. 

• Health Management, B.S. (STLCC 2+SLU)