Bachelor of Arts in Bioethics and Health Studies

About

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. 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. 

Career Path  

Graduate career path includes Bioethics Policy Analyst, Health Policy Research Assistant, Human Rights Specialist (Health Context), Ethics Committee Coordinator, Public Health Ethics Specialist, Clinical Ethics Assistant, Patient Rights Advocate, Hospital Ethics Program Coordinator, Case Manager (Health Services), Community Health Worker (Ethics Focus), Healthcare Quality Assurance Assistant, Nonprofit Program Coordinator (Health & Ethics Focus), Legislative Aide (Health Policy), Clinical Trials Ethics Coordinator, Research Assistant (Bioethics/Health Studies), Medical Humanities Research Assistant, Academic Program Coordinator (Bioethics), Think Tank Researcher (Health & Ethics), Global Health Program Assistant, NGO Field Officer (Health & Ethics), International Development Specialist (Health Focus).