MS in Oral Health Sciences (Dental Hygiene)

The intent of this two-year program is to train established dental hygienists to become dental hygiene educators and work in research and development or related health care roles. Completion of the required courses normally takes 8 quarters and at least 70 credit hours. The overall goal of the program is to train dental hygienists to be educators, researchers and related health care professionals. Students receive comprehensive training in many of the basic and applied (clinical) sciences, participate in clinical care of special needs patients, and in a research project. The program is non-thesis, but students will be required to complete a capstone research project.

Applicants must have either a four-year baccalaureate degree in the life sciences (e.g. Microbiology or Biochemistry) from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or equivalent or a professional degree from a Dental or Medical School (e.g. DDS, DMD, MD). We seek applicants who show great promise of successful careers in research with an interest in teaching. Our applicants typically have strong undergraduate records as well as previous laboratory experience and demonstrated skills in life sciences or public health research. A minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) for the last graded 60 semester credits or 90 graded quarter credits.