Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University appears in our ranking of the 10 Most Affordable Doctorates in Emergency Management Online.

The first classes were offered at Saint Louis University in November 1818. Initially, at what was then Saint Louis Academy, programs were offered only to young men and classes were held in rooms rented by Bishop Louis DuBourg who had recently arrived in the United States. A few years after the school opened, the Jesuits of the Missouri Mission took over the school. At that time, it became St. Louis College, although a secondary school at the same location remained Saint Louis Academy and eventually became St. Louis University High School.

In 1827, the Society of Jesus took over the school and it gained university status soon after. The school moved to Washington Avenue and Ninth, where it remained until after the American Civil War. In 1867, the school purchased Lindell's Grove, the location of the Camp Jackson Affair during the war when 28 people, some civilians were killed. The first building began construction in 1888 with the entire university moving to the location in 1889.

Saint Louis University was one of the first Catholic universities to create a board of directors made up of mostly lay people. Today, there are almost 13,000 students enrolled at the university. There are almost 125,000 alumni in 50 states and 149 countries. The school has an endowment of more than $1.1 billion. Programs offered at the school are still steeped in the Jesuit mission for social justice.

Saint Louis University Accreditation Details

Saint Louis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Accreditation indicates that the university meets or exceeds criteria that the Association believes indicates excellence in higher education. The school undergoes periodic review to confirm that the school continues to meet its goals and objectives as well. In addition, programs throughout the university are accredited by various industry-specific agencies, organizations and commissions.

Saint Louis University Application Requirements

Freshmen, students who have not completed college credits after high school graduation, must provide official high school transcripts as well as official ACT or SAT scores. Students should provide a professional resume and letters of recommendation. An admission interview is also recommended. Some programs may have additional admission requirements such as an audition or portfolio.

Students who have earned college credit after high school graduation may be entered as transfer students. They must provide official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. All transfer students must demonstrate a strong academic record and must meet with an enrollment counselor to determine the credits that may transfer to Saint Louis University.

Graduate students must complete an online application. Official transcripts from all institutes of higher learning attended must be provided. One of the transcripts must show that the student has earned a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Students are required to provide writing samples along with letters of recommendation. Each graduate program has different admission requirements so students should contact the school for program-specific admission details.

Saint Louis University Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition is $770 per credit hour while graduate tuition is $1,130. Graduate business programs are $1,070 per credit hour, health informatics is $1,360 per credit hour and social work is $970 per credit hour for graduate studies.

Saint Louis University works to remove financial barriers that stand in the way of higher education. Students are admitted based on achievement, ambition and potential rather than their ability to pay. Financial aid is available in the form of scholarships, grants and loans. Scholarships may be awarded based on academics, merit, financial need, and aptitude. They may also be awarded specifically to students who graduated from a Jesuit high school, have siblings enrolled or demonstrate outstanding performance in athletics, the arts or other areas. In order to qualify for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA must be renewed on an annual basis.

Saint Louis University Degree Program(s) Available

PhD in Public Health – Biosecurity & Disaster Preparedness Concentration

Saint Louis University's College for Public Health & Social Justice offers a doctorate in Public Health with a Biosecurity and Disaster Preparedness concentration. The program provides students with the knowledge they need to work in public health research, education or academics as well as consulting. Students learn in a hybrid format of both online and on campus classes. Students use cutting-edge technology designed to enhance learning. Courses required for the program include:

• Applied Research Skills
• Communicable Diseases and Infectious Disease Disasters
• Design and Analysis in Public Health
• Disaster Planning for Infectious Disease Disasters
• Epidemiological Methods II
• Health Measurement and Outcomes
• Introduction to General Linear Modeling
• Principles of Epidemiology
• Professional Development
• Science, Theory in Public Health

Within one year of graduation, 99 percent of graduates are employed in their chosen field of study. Students are provided personalized relationships with professors who they come to know well. Saint Louis University offers the only Jesuit school of public health in the country. Because all programs at the school are offered under the Jesuit mission, graduate of the School of Public Health are committed to social justice. In 2017, 91 percent of students who took the Certified Public Health examination passed the test on the first try and 100 percent passed on the second attempt. This compares to the national average of 75 to 85 percent.

In order to apply to the program, students must complete an application and provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Students must hold a master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university to apply. Students must provide three letters of recommendation, official GRE scores and a resume. A professional goal statement is required and students may need to arrange for an interview before admission.

Saint Louis University offers programs that are based in the Jesuit tradition. This creates graduates who have a strong desire to promote social justice. The school offers programs that are online, on-campus or a hybrid version, allowing working adults to achieve their higher education goals. Through the flexible programs offered at Saint Louis University provide non-traditional students move into a new career or advance in a current career.