This is what every day looks like at Saint Louis University’s College of Public Health and Social Justice (CPHSJ): a professor and a student collaborating to publish a commentary on widespread period poverty, a researcher helping St. Louisans avoid mosquito-borne diseases through an app-based citizen science campaign, researchers coordinating with public health workers to fight epidemics together.
From world-class faculty to students, everyone’s on the same mission: to improve the overall health of communities in Missouri, and beyond. Through 19 degree programmes, the college dedicates over 10,000 hours to solving St Louis’s most pressing issues with local health agency partners.
“It’s one of the best universities to study public health at,” says Vidhi Parekh, a second-year Master of Public Health student. “The friendly and motivating faculty are always ready to help students make their mark in public health.”
If you’re eager to dissolve the disparities in healthcare access rampant in many communities — with up to 4.5 billion people in the world lacking coverage to essential healthcare — the SLU MPH programme is exactly what you need.
Vidihi Parekh is a second-year student specialising in global health and epidemiology. Source: Saint Louis University
From affordability to personalisation
If you’re worried about finances — considering two-thirds of university students in the US struggle to shoulder their expenses — SLU’s got you covered. The MPH programme has a “Guaranteed Package Price,” meaning there will be no tuition increases during your enrolment. When it comes to financial aid, 90% of MPH students receive additional scholarships thanks to the programme’s alumni and benefactors.
In two years of study, Snigdha Burman is getting her full money’s worth. The SLU MPH offers five concentrations alone: epidemiology, behavioural science and health equity, biostatistics, health management and policy, and public health practice — allowing Burman to tailor her studies to her career goals in epidemiology and maternal and child health.
“I appreciate that all the students studying here have their own advisor to go to, to talk about their goals and to customise the curriculum based on that,” she says.
Not only can you tailor your experience through concentrations, but you can build up on your skills by adding a free certificate programme too. It’s an effective path to becoming job-ready, with three out of the five concentrations being STEM OPT-3 designated. That means international students will get three years for Optional Practical Training (OPT) post-graduation instead of one. “CPHSJ helps get all the students to come together to work towards a common goal, and that makes me feel more included,” Burman says.
I love the fact that the college has ‘Social Justice’ in its name, which clearly shows the dedication behind the goals of the faculty and the university,” said Snigdha Burman, a first-year MPH student. Source: Saint Louis University
From a strategic location to student success
Come spring or fall, whenever you decide to enrol — you’ll arrive in St. Louis, Missouri to find that it’s the exact opposite of a flyover country: vibrant, welcoming, and affordable. It was named by Kiplinger and Forbes as one of the nation’s most affordable major cities for young professionals, with a cost of living that dips tens of thousands of dollars below what you’d find in the East and West Coast.
St. Louis is a great base for sightseeing and activities, home to the world’s first interfaith museum, fascinating historic sites, beloved sports teams, and more. It’s just as rich with opportunities to amass real-world experiences and connections. The St. Louis metro area is known as the “Health Central USA” as it’s home to global healthcare companies — four major health systems including Mercy and Ascension Health, the Fortune 500 healthcare enterprise Centene Corporation, two large health departments, and seemingly countless NGOs.
It’s the perfect spot to pursue hands-on courses in the MPH programme, often filled chances to collaborate with university partners to give back to the community. You meet the school’s world-class faculty members in your courses and build connections with them through its small-sized classrooms.
“I appreciate that all the students here have their own advisor to go to, to talk about their goals and to customise the curriculum based on that,” Burman says. “The way that the course curriculum is designed is very sequenced.”
When you encounter bumps whilst developing your career, the Student Success Team is there to guide you through the hurdles. You’ll have a faculty mentor, and a group of senior staff mentors backing you up. They’ll connect you to quality academic support services, professional development opportunities, and a summer internship.
It all comes to fruition once you graduate, ready to become a leader of social justice, and a member of SLU’s global alumni network. If that’s the journey you’re looking for, then check out the MPH programme at SLU’s College of Public Health and Social Justice here.
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