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Integrated and Applied Sciences, Ph.D.

Saint Louis University's Integrated and Applied Sciences (IAS) doctoral program, offered in the Doisy College of Health Sciences, exposes students to all areas of science, encourages collaboration across departments and colleges, and better trains graduate students to present their research to a more diverse audience.

Program Highlights

Saint Louis University's Integrated and Applied Sciences doctoral program prepares students to become scholars and researchers in academic, clinical research, and/or practice settings. It allows students to pair their areas of study with interdisciplinary courses in biological, behavioral, psychosocial and environmental aspects of human health.

Students specialize in a health sciences discipline content area that aligns with the research being conducted by their faculty mentor. Currently available areas of study are:

  • Athletic Training
  • Clinical Health Sciences
  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

Curriculum Overview
SLU's Doctor of Philosophy in Integrated and Applied Sciences program utilizes interdisciplinary approaches and collaboration to prepare graduates to confidently assume multi-faceted roles in the changing health care environment. 

The distribution of courses is determined on an individual basis. The student and their faculty mentor develop an appropriate coursework track with subsequent review by and feedback from the IAS administrative committee. A typical coursework structure is detailed below. To review the research being done in the Doisy College of Health Sciences, please visit our research page.

  • Research Courses (6 credits)
  • Courses specific to the student's Program of Study (21 credits)
  • Directed Independent Study (1 credit)
  • Required Course (2 credits)
  • Dissertation credits (12 credits)

Careers

This research-intensive doctoral program trains students for careers in pharmaceutical, health care, and biochemical industries, as well as in academia. 

Admission Requirements

The successful applicant possesses a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited, recognized college or university in a discipline relevant to the research of the integrated and applied sciences faculty mentor. Students are required to proactively identify and establish a relationship with a faculty mentor whose research aligns with that of the student's interest prior to admission into the program. To review the research being done in DCHS, please visit our Doisy Research page.

Application Requirements

  • Identification of and an established relationship with a faculty mentor
  • Application form and fee
  • Transcript(s)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Professional goals statement

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:

  • Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
  • Financial documents are required to complete an application for admission and be reviewed for admission and merit scholarships. 
  • Proof of financial support that must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's 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 the student's study at the University
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
    • 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
    • Any honors or degrees received.

WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Review Process

The IAS program director reviews all application materials for completeness. Complete applications are forwarded to the identified faculty mentor for review and admission consideration. The program director then communicates the admission decision along with a description of the next steps to the student. The faculty mentor is copied on all admissions communications.  

Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Credit
Graduate Tuition $1,310

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award. 

Explore Scholarships and Financial Aid Options

  1. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of the independent and interactive aspects of health sciences through intellectual inquiry and reflection.
  2. Graduates will exhibit competency in designing and implementing health sciences research to advance knowledge while applying principles of ethical scientific inquiry/conduct.
  3. Graduates will display the ability to translate research findings and communicate them to a variety of audiences for effective dissemination.
  4. Graduates will articulate a long-term trajectory for an impactful scholarly leadership plan that will support a successful career path.
Required Courses
HSCI 6220Foundations of Scholarly Excellence2
HSCI 6980Independent Study1
Research Courses pertinent to the student's Program of Study6
Courses specific to the student's Program of Study21
Dissertation Research12
HSCI 6990
Dissertation Research (taken over multiple semesters)
Total Credits42

Non-Course Requirements

Assuming successful completion of oral and written comprehensive exams, students should complete the Ph.D. program in approximately four years. Students entering the program with an appropriate M.S. degree may complete the program in less time, again assuming successful completion of oral and written comprehensive exams.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Course Listing

Courses offered in the Doisy College of Health Sciences
BLS 5125
Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Medicine
SLHS 5450
Speech Sound Disorders in Children
SLHS 5510
Social Communication Development and Disorders
SLHS 5550
Early Childhood Language Disorders
SLHS 5560
School-Age Language Disorders
SLHS 5630
Dysphagia
SLHS 5700
Voice Disorders
SLHS 5710
Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies
SLHS 5720
Neurogenic Communication Disorders in Adults
SLHS 5760
Motor Speech Disorders
SLHS 5770
Multilingual Communication Disorders
SLHS 5820
Cognitive Communication Disorders
DIET 5010
Survey of Nutrition for Allied Health Professionals
DIET 5030
Sustainable Food Systems
DIET 5050
Food Processing: Farm to Institution
DIET 5060
Maternal and Child Nutrition and Health
DIET 5070
Culinary Medicine
DIET 5100
Human Nutrition: Physiology and Metabolism I
DIET 5130
Human Nutrition: Physiology and Metabolism II
DIET 5210
Pediatric Nutrition
DIET 5220
Gerontological Nutrition
DIET 5300
Community Nutrition
DIET 5480
Nutrition Education and Counseling
DIET 5550
Nutr. & Physical Performance
DIET 5690
Bioenergetics of Exercise
DIET 5700
Exercise Testing And Prescription
DIET 5750
Gastronomy
DIET 5870
Seminar in Dietetics Research
MOT 5150
Kinesiology
MOT 5250
Policy & Administration
MOT 5300
Fundamentals of OT Practice
MOT 5400
Occupational Therapy for Adults with Physical Dysfunction
MOT 5410
Occupational Therapy in Mental Health
MOT 5450
Occupational Performance & Assessment of Children and Youth
MOT 5550
Occupational Therapy for Adults with Neurological Dysfunction
MOT 5560
Occupational Therapy and Community Practice
DPT 5123
Clinical Gait
DPT 5142
Evidence Based Practice
DPT 5149
Applied Neuroscience
DPT 5218
Effective Communication and Teaching
DPT 6124
Biomechanical Interventions
DPT 6178
Applied Administration and Management
MAT 5160
Aspects of Nutrition
MAT 5620
Psychology of Sport and Injury
MAT 5650
Research in Athletic Training
MAT 6160
Enhancing Human Performance
PAED 5300
Evidence-Based Medicine
Courses offered in other schools and colleges
BME 5150
Brain Computer Interface
BME 5210
Human Movement Biomechanics
BME 5320
Drug Delivery
BME 5400
Tissue-Material Interfaces
BME 5410
Tissue Engineering
BME 5420
Tissue Engineering Scaffold Fabrication Techniques
BME 5430
Regenerative Engineering
BME 5600
Quantitative Physiology I
BME 5650
Quantitative Physiology II
CHEM 5440
Bioorganic Chemistry
CHEM 5610
Biochemistry 1
CHEM 5615
Biochemistry 2
CHEM 5620
Biophysical Chemistry
CHEM 5630
Introduction to Chemical Biology and Biotechnology
CVNG 4190
Sustainable Land Development Engineering
CVNG 5260
Environmental Solutions in Developing Countries
CVNG 5450
Traffic Engineering
CVNG 5470
Urban Transportation Planning
MATH 5021
Introduction to Analysis
MATH 5023
Multivariable Analysis
MATH 5080
Probability Theory
ORES 5010
Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Outcomes
ORES 5150
Multivariate Analysis for Health Outcomes Research
ORES 5300
Foundations of Outcomes Research I
ORES 5430
Health Outcomes Measurement
ORES 5100
Research Methods in Health & Medicine

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.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Program of Study-specific course 3
Research course specific to Program of Study 3
 Credits6
Spring
Program of Study-specific course 3
Research course specific to Program of Study 3
 Credits6
Summer
HSCI 6980 Independent Study 1
 Credits1
Year Two
Fall
Program of Study-specific courses 9
 Credits9
Spring
Program of Study-specific course 3
HSCI 6220 Foundations of Scholarly Excellence 2
 Credits5
Summer
HSCI 6990 Dissertation Research 0
 Credits0
Year Three
Fall
HSCI 6990 Dissertation Research 3
Program of Study-specific course 3
 Credits6
Spring
HSCI 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Summer
HSCI 6990 Dissertation Research 0
 Credits0
Year Four
Fall
HSCI 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Spring
HSCI 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits42

Program Notes

Courses designated as those specific to the program of study refer to those that may be in or complementary to the program of study discipline.

For more information about this program, please contact:

Elizabeth Gockel-Blessing, Ph.D., MLS(ASCP)CM
Integrated and Applied Sciences Ph.D. Program Director
elizabeth.gockelblessing@health.slu.edu