Bioethics and Health Studies, B.A.

Saint Louis University's bioethics and health studies major asks students to analyze the ethical questions raised by advances in medical and scientific technology. It examines these questions both in the clinical context and in health policy. Well-known bioethical topics include abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research. But the field’s area of study has grown dramatically in recent decades in keeping with the rapid pace of biotechnological advances. More recent bioethical work addresses developments in genetics, neuroscience, public health and various emerging fields in the biomedical sciences.

SLU's bioethics and health studies major gives students the tools to understand these developments. It does so through an interdisciplinary curriculum that fuses the humanities with the social sciences. It pairs this holistic education with unique service-learning opportunities in health care settings and a capstone project designed to guide students in their transitions to health care careers.

Through their coursework, students majoring in bioethics and health studies learn to think across the University and mobilize their knowledge in the world.

A particular focus of the bioethics and health studies major at SLU is the relationship among religion, health care and social justice. Students are exposed to a broad range of ideological and professional perspectives on health care dilemmas. This will prepare them to collaborate with others across professional and political divides. It will also help them clarify their views on topics that are often complex and highly personal.

The bioethics and health studies major provides a foundation for post-graduate study and employment in many health-related fields. Beyond that, it provides students with tools for addressing the ethical dilemmas they will face, not just on the job but also in the voting booth and in their own lives. When coupled with a strong commitment to social justice and intellectual diversity, this integrated approach to health care makes the major particularly reflective of Saint Louis University’s Jesuit mission.

Curriculum Overview

SLU's bioethics and health studies major requires 36 credits of coursework spread over three broad distribution areas: foundational courses, disciplinary frameworks, and advanced issues and practice in health care ethics. 

Except for the major’s introductory course, HCE 2010 Foundations in Clinical Health Care Ethics, these courses do not have to be taken in strict order. Students can choose from many courses to satisfy their requirements for disciplinary frameworks and advanced issues and practice in health care ethics. Courses taken for the bioethics and health studies major requirements may also fulfill core requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences. The major’s flexible progression and course requirements give students a high degree of freedom in tailoring it to their interests and timeframe.

SLU's bioethics and health studies major offers a pre-med track for students pursuing medical school.  

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

SLU's bioethics and health studies major has a service-learning requirement. Students can choose from several service-learning courses that each take place in a distinct health care setting. Students can also receive credit for completing an internship in a professional setting related to health care ethics.

The major offers students opportunities to study abroad in Ireland and Spain.

Careers

The bioethics and health studies major provides an excellent foundation for professional education in many areas, including:

• Medicine
• Law
• Public health
• Health care administration
• Public policy
• Divinity school
• Various graduate programs in the humanities and social sciences

Through their service-learning courses and capstone, students will gain practical experience that will help them transition to employment in a wide range of health-related fields.

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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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.

1. Graduates will be able to apply bioethical methodologies.
2. Graduates will be able to synthesize humanities and social science methods. 
3. Graduates will be able to evaluate the impact of disparities in identity categories on health care access and quality.
4. Graduates will be able to justify recommendations for resolving complex ethical health care dilemmas.
5. Graduates will be able to integrate bioethical knowledge into patient care. 

Note: Many undergraduate courses at SLU fulfill requirements of multiple programs simultaneously. For details, click here. 

Bioethics and health studies students must complete a minimum total of 36 credits for the major.

Continuation Standards

A student must maintain a GPA in coursework for the major in bioethics and health studies of at least 2.00.

Disciplinary Frameworks

These requirements expose students to diverse disciplinary approaches to bioethics and health studies. Students select one course in each of the following attribute categories: humanities, philosophy/theology, social sciences and professional. The list of courses within each attribute will be updated each semester. Listed below are some sample courses that would count for each attribute. 

Humanities Attribute (literature, history, fine arts)

Theology/Philosophy Attribute

Social Sciences Attribute (sociology/anthropology, political science, psychology, African American studies, women’s studies)

Professional Attribute (public health, social work, criminology, allied health sciences, communication)

Service-learning Attribute 

Advanced Clinical Problem-solving Attribute

Health Care Ethics Electives

Graduation Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
• Complete the University Undergraduate Core curriculum requirements.
• Complete major requirements: minimum of 30 credits required.
• Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
• Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s), and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate or related elective credits.
• Complete department- and program-specific academic and performance requirements.
• Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
• Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
• Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.

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.

Attributed Courses 

Disciplinary Frameworks

These requirements expose students to diverse disciplinary approaches to bioethics and health studies. Students select one course in each of the following attribute categories: humanities, philosophy/theology, social sciences and professional. The list of courses within each attribute will be updated each semester. Listed below are some sample courses that would count for each attribute. 

Humanities Attribute (literature, history, fine arts)

Theology/Philosophy Attribute

Social Sciences Attribute (sociology/anthropology, political science, psychology, African American studies, women’s studies)

Professional Attribute (public health, social work, criminology, allied health sciences, communication)

Service-learning Attribute 

Advanced Clinical Problem-solving Attribute

Health Care Ethics Electives

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

Bioethics and Health Studies, B.A. (STLCC 2+SLU)

For additional information about this program, please contact hce_info@slu.edu or call 314-977-1060.