Health Sciences, B.S.

Discover your passion for health care with our B.S. in health sciences. Whether you are looking for a pre-med, pre-PA, pre-PT/OT, or other pre-professional tracks, or are intrigued by clinical health informatics or health data management, our program empowers you to explore diverse career avenues.

Saint Louis University's B.S. in health sciences offered through the Doisy College of Health Sciences opens your mind to the complexities of the health care industry and doors to diverse career paths. Our curriculum is rooted in a solid scientific foundation, preparing you for early career professional opportunities or graduate education and equipping you with the skills needed to thrive in the evolving health care landscape.

Program Highlights

• Our comprehensive curriculum delves into medical sciences, anatomy and physiology, research methods, health care management, technology and more, offering you a well-rounded perspective to excel in this dynamic field.
• If data analysis, information technology, and health care legal matters pique your interest, our health information management concentration lets you explore these intricacies further. Master clinical coding, revenue-cycle management and more, gaining expertise sought-after by healthcare organizations.
• Our dedicated faculty are invested in your success. They go beyond instruction, offering personalized guidance to help you define and achieve your aspirations within the health care field.
• We seamlessly integrate the latest healthcare technology throughout the program, providing hands-on experience and preparing you to hit the ground running in your chosen career path.

Explore our exciting, accelerated degree pathways designed to help you get there faster:

• B.S. HS to Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
• B.S. HS-HIM to Juris Doctorate (Law)
• B.S. HS-HIM to M.S. Health Data Science
• B.S. HS-HIM to Master of Health Administration (MHA)

Boost your degree with a HIM minor:

• The health information management minor adds valuable health data expertise to any major. This flexible minor complements your studies and enhances your career prospects in any healthcare-related field.

Curriculum Overview

Join us at Saint Louis University and embark on a journey to transform healthcare for the better. We understand the importance of adapting to the changing needs of the healthcare industry. Our flexible curriculum, experienced faculty, and hands-on learning opportunities prepare you for success in today's dynamic health care landscape.

Our curriculum offers the ability to tailor your course roadmap to your career aspirations. SLU's Health Sciences curriculum allows for diverse preparation options, such as pre-medicine, pre-PA, pre-PT/OT, pre-dental, pre-optometry, health information management, and other health-related fields.

Careers

A degree in health sciences prepares you for medical school, professional graduate programs or other post-baccalaureate studies.
Students are also equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in career opportunities as:

• Health care coordinators
• Case managers
• Health services managers
• Health data analysis
• Privacy officers
• Corporate wellness administrator
• Medicolegal death investigator
• Patient advocate/patient navigator
• Health literacy educator
• Many other rewarding careers

These job opportunities are in various settings, including:

• Hospitals and integrated delivery systems
• Medical service organization
• Physician-management organization
• Consulting firms
• Technology and information system companies
• Health Insurance companies,
• Federal, state, and local health agencies
• Long-term care facilities and many others

Graduates of our program pursue diverse career paths, and with growing demand in the health care industry, your opportunities are endless.

Health Information Management Concentration

The health information management (HIM) concentration within the health sciences field is designed specifically for students fascinated by the convergence of medical sciences, data analysis, informatics, information technology, legal principles and healthcare administration. HIM professionals are highly respected for their proficiency in handling clinical and operational healthcare data, which equips graduates with diverse prospects in the constantly evolving healthcare sector.

Our faculty, composed of seasoned professionals in the HIM field, are dedicated to nurturing students for many exciting career paths in health information. Upon graduation, you'll possess the skills needed to excel in pivotal roles, such as maximizing patient and operational data to make informed decisions, fostering patient comprehension of health information, and supporting healthcare providers in utilizing technology to streamline data management and operational processes. Students can also take the nationally recognized Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credential exam.

Increasingly, HIM graduates choose to further their education by pursuing advanced degrees in various fields, such as business administration, health administration, health data science, health informatics, law, and public health. With accelerated track options available, your transition to graduate studies becomes a smooth and accessible path, providing ample opportunities for ongoing advancement and specialization. Join the ranks of our graduates and unlock your potential for continuous growth and professional development.

Our exciting, accelerated degree pathways are designed to help you get there faster:

• B.S. HS-HIM to Juris Doctorate (Law)
• B.S. HS-HIM to M.S. Health Data Science
• B.S. HS-HIM to Master of Health Administration (MHA)

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

In your final year, you will participate in project-based internships, collaborating with local clinical sites to acquire hands-on experience. Through this immersive learning opportunity, you will delve into various roles, including electronic health record analysts, patient data integrity coordinators, clinical data analysts, consultants, revenue cycle management analysts, quality assurance analysts, and coding and compliance specialists. This practical experience prepares you for the dynamic challenges of the health care field while honing your skills for future success.

Careers

Embarking on a career in health information management unveils many opportunities to make a meaningful impact and improve health care delivery. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health services managers in the United States earned a median salary of $110,680 in 2023, with an anticipated average growth of 28% through 2032. Graduates of this program find employment across diverse settings such as ambulatory care clinics, governmental agencies, healthcare companies, consulting firms, hospitals, information system companies, insurance companies, law firms, managed and long-term care facilities, mental and behavioral health facilities, physician practices, and research positions. The possibilities are endless in this dynamic and vital field.

Admission Requirements

Freshman Applicants

Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary consideration when we review your freshman application.  

Admission criteria include:

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70 or greater on a 4.00 scale
• Saint Louis University has moved to a test-optional admission process for all undergraduate programs. Applicants may submit standardized test scores, but those who choose not to will not be disadvantaged in any way in the admission process.

Transfer Applicants

The minimum college transfer GPA is 2.70/4.00.

International Applicants

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

• You must demonstrate English language proficiency.
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding your 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 your study at the University.
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken post-secondary 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.

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

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: Awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. In addition to University scholarships, the Doisy College of Health Sciences offers scholarships to sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students.
• 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 more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

HIM Concentration Accreditation

Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
200 E. Randolph Street
Suite 5100
Chicago, IL 60601
https://www.cahiim.org

The Health Information Management concentration accreditor of Saint Louis University is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College's accreditation for the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2024. All inquiries about the program's accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.
For more information on the SLU Health Information Management program professional and technical standards and program outcomes, please see Additional Accreditation Information.

HIM Program Outcomes Data

1. Students will express issues in health care.
2. Students will demonstrate effective team skills when collaborating on health care projects.
3. Students will use research to defend conclusions related to health care issues.
4. Students will reflect on behaviors related to health sciences rooted in Jesuit values of cura personalis.

Students in SLU's health sciences major take the following courses. 

¹

Students in the Medical Scholars, Pre-Physican Assistant, PA Scholars, Pre-Med & Pre-Dental Curricular Options are required to take CHEM 1110 General Chemistry 1 (3 cr), CHEM 1115 General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1 cr), CHEM 1120 General Chemistry 2 (3 cr), & CHEM 1125 General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (1 cr) instead of CHEM 1080 Principles of Chemistry 1 Lecture (3 cr), CHEM 1085 Principles of Chemistry 1 Lab (1 cr), CHEM 1480 Principles of Chemistry 2 Lecture (3 cr), and CHEM 1485 Principles of Chemistry 2 Lab (1 cr).

²

Students in the Medical Scholars and Pre-Med & Pre-Dental Curricular Options are required to take MATH 1510 Calculus I (4 cr) instead of MATH 1200 College Algebra (3 cr) and MATH 1320 Survey of Calculus (3 cr). 

Students in the Pre-Physician Assistant & PA Scholars Curricular Options are required to take MATH 1400 Pre-Calculus (3 cr) instead of MATH 1200 College Algebra (3 cr) and MATH 1320 Survey of Calculus (3 cr).

Students in the Pre-Physical Therapy Curricular Option are required to take MATH 1400 Pre-Calculus (3 cr) and MATH 1510 Calculus I (4 cr) instead of MATH 1200 College Algebra (3 cr) and MATH 1320 Survey of Calculus (3 cr).

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a minimum 2.70 grade point average (GPA).

Standard Curricular Option

Medical Scholars Curricular Option

¹

Students in the Medical Scholars Curricular Option are required to take CHEM 1110 General Chemistry 1 (3 cr), CHEM 1115 General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1 cr), CHEM 1120 General Chemistry 2 (3 cr), and CHEM 1125 General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (1 cr) instead of CHEM 1080 Principles of Chemistry 1 Lecture (3 cr), CHEM 1085 Principles of Chemistry 1 Lab (1 cr), CHEM 1480 Principles of Chemistry 2 Lecture (3 cr), and CHEM 1485 Principles of Chemistry 2 Lab (1 cr).

²

Students in the Medical Scholars Curricular Option are required to take MATH 1510 Calculus I (4 cr) instead of MATH 1200 College Algebra (3 cr) and MATH 1320 Survey of Calculus (3 cr). 

Pre-Physician Assistant and PA Scholars Curricular Option

¹

Students in the Pre-Physician Assistant or PA Scholars Curricular Options are required to take CHEM 1110 General Chemistry 1 (3 cr), CHEM 1115 General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1 cr), CHEM 1120 General Chemistry 2 (3 cr), and CHEM 1125 General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (1 cr) instead of CHEM 1080 Principles of Chemistry 1 Lecture (3 cr), CHEM 1085 Principles of Chemistry 1 Lab (1 cr), CHEM 1480 Principles of Chemistry 2 Lecture (3 cr), and CHEM 1485 Principles of Chemistry 2 Lab (1 cr).

²

Students in the Pre-Physician Assistant and PA Scholars Curricular Options are required to take MATH 1400 Pre-Calculus (3 cr) instead of MATH 1200 College Algebra (3 cr) and MATH 1320 Survey of Calculus (3 cr).

Students interested in the PA Scholars program should speak to their advisor and visit the Physician Assistant Scholars page. 

Pre-Medicine & Pre-Dental Curricular Option

¹

Students in the Pre-Med & Pre-Dental Curricular Options are required to take CHEM 1110 General Chemistry 1 (3 cr), CHEM 1115 General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1 cr), CHEM 1120 General Chemistry 2 (3 cr), and CHEM 1125 General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (1 cr) instead of CHEM 1080 Principles of Chemistry 1 Lecture (3 cr), CHEM 1085 Principles of Chemistry 1 Lab (1 cr), CHEM 1480 Principles of Chemistry 2 Lecture (3 cr), and CHEM 1485 Principles of Chemistry 2 Lab (1 cr).

²

Students in the Pre-Med & Pre-Dental Curricular Options are required to take MATH 1510 Calculus I (4 cr) instead of MATH 1200 College Algebra (3 cr) and MATH 1320 Survey of Calculus (3 cr).

Pre-Occupational Therapy Curricular Option

Pre-Physical Therapy Curricular Option

²

Students in the Pre-Physical Therapy Curricular Option are required to take MATH 1400 Pre-Calculus (3 cr) and MATH 1510 Calculus I (4 cr) instead of MATH 1200 College Algebra (3 cr) and MATH 1320 Survey of Calculus (3 cr).

In addition to the above, there may be additional foundational courses to complete, to prepare students for the Doctor of Physical Therapy. Please speak to your advisor for more details. 

Health Information Management, Concentration

Students interested in advanced studies should visit these accelerated program pages:

Health Sciences, B.S. to Pharmacy, Pharm.D. Accelerated Program

Health Sciences, Health Information Management, B.S. to Health Administration, M.H.A. Accelerated Program

Health Sciences, Health Information Management, B.S. to Health Data Science, M.S. Accelerated Program

Health Sciences, Health Information Management, B.S. to Law, J.D. Accelerated Program

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.

Standard Curricular Option

Medical Scholars Curricular Option

Pre-Physician Assistant and PA Scholars Curricular Option

Pre-PA Track Notes

Courses substituted in place of electives or added to the curriculum as required courses for post-baccalaureate PA Programs are not guaranteed to meet all the pre-requisite requirements of all institutions. It is the responsibility of the student to contact their desired institution for post-baccalaureate study to identify the specific pre-requisite courses required for their area of study. PA Scholars Only - Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, students will proceed directly into SLU’s graduate-level PA program.

Pre-Medicine & Pre-Dental Curricular Option

Pre-Med Track Notes

Courses substituted in place of electives or added to the curriculum as required courses for post-baccalaureate medical school programs are not guaranteed to meet all the pre-requisite requirements of all institutions. It is the responsibility of the student to contact their desired institution for post-baccalaureate study to identify the specific pre-requisite courses required for their area of study.

Pre-Occupational Therapy Curricular Option

Program Notes

Courses substituted in place of electives or added to the curriculum as required courses for post-baccalaureate MOT programs are not guaranteed to meet all the pre-requisite requirements of all institutions. It is the responsibility of the student to contact their desired institution for post-baccalaureate study to identify the specific pre-requisite courses required for their area of study.

Pre-Physical Therapy Curricular Option

Program Notes

Courses substituted in place of electives or added to the curriculum as required courses for post-baccalaureate DPT programs are not guaranteed to meet all the pre-requisite requirements of all institutions. It is the responsibility of the student to contact their desired institution for post-baccalaureate study to identify the specific pre-requisite courses required for their area of study.

Health Information Management Concentration

HIM Concentration Notes

Professional Practice is scheduled at affiliated healthcare facilities in the St. Louis area or by special arrangement elsewhere in the United States. Students are responsible for transportation and other expenses during these assignments.

Apply for Admission

Contact Doisy College of Health Sciences
Recruitment specialist
314-977-2570
dchs@health.slu.edu

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

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