What are the three dental hygiene programs in the School of Dentistry and how do I apply?
Dental Hygiene Undergraduate Program (BS)
The entry-level Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree Program provides the education and training needed to become a dental hygienist. It allows you to explore not only the professional responsibilities of a clinician but also roles in research, education, public health, administration, and advocacy. This program in dental hygiene starts in the spring of each year and students enter as sophomores.
Students must complete a minimum of 35 credit hours of prerequisite course work prior to applying. The required prerequisite courses are as follows:
- English Composition
- General Chemistry with a lab
- Intro to Psychology
- Intro to Sociology
- Speech (Fundamentals of Speech or Public Speaking)
- Anatomy & Physiology I & II or equivalent
- Microbiology with a lab
- Biochemistry
Suggested electives include English Composition II and General Biology.
It is highly recommended that interested students arrange to have an academic advising meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to acquaint the prospective student with the areas of study in dental hygiene and with the university campus. Email hygiene.info@umich.edu for more information.
Current U-M students should apply using the Cross-Campus Transfer Application. Students transferring from all other educational institutions should complete a transfer Common Application and indicate "BS Dental Hygiene" for "unit of study." High school graduates desiring to spend their first year of study for the dental hygiene program at the University of Michigan should apply for admission to the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.
Dental Hygiene Degree Completion (BS)
The On-campus Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree Completion program is designed for dental hygienists who either have an associate degree or certificate in dental hygiene, or who have completed some (but not all) of the coursework for a bachelor’s degree. The On-campus Degree Completion program provides dental hygienists the opportunity to continue their education in order to obtain the baccalaureate degree, and to prepare these individuals for leadership roles and expanded career opportunities. Graduates will have the knowledge and skills for using sound scientific methods and accessing evidence-based information for making decisions and providing patient care. The program will admit students in the fall, winter, and spring/summer terms. Students may enroll either full- or part-time.
To be considered for admission to U-M's Dental Hygiene Degree On-Campus Completion Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- have graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program
- hold a current dental hygiene license for practice in the United States
- The Admissions Committee examines grades for consistency/improvement and repeated and/or withdrawn courses. Currently the average GPA of our Degree Completion entering students is 3.3.
- Take the TOEFL or MELAB if English is your second language. Scores must be submitted as part of the application process; please use institution code 1839.
Students should complete a transfer Common Application. Applicants with a RDH license should contact the Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program Director, Stefanie VanDuine (stefmarx@umich.edu) before submitting an application. Prospective students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in any area of study and hold a RDH license, should contact the Dental Hygiene Graduate Program Director, Iwonka Eagle (ilenda@umich.edu).
Dental Hygiene Degree Completion (AS-MS)
The accelerated online AS-MS in Dental Hygiene Program provides a streamlined path for licensed dental hygienists with their associate degree to obtain an advanced degree in dental hygiene. The AS-MS pathway reduces the total time needed to complete the BS and MS degrees separately, from 4 years to 3 years, while still offering everything you expect from U-M Dental Hygiene: expert faculty, rigorous curriculum, and in-demand career preparation for your future. The program is offered in an online format to support working professionals to remain in clinical practice, maintain personal responsibilities, and live in their community of choice while pursuing their educational goals. The program will admit students in the fall term only.
To be considered for admission to U-M's Accelerated Online AS-MS in Dental Hygiene Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold an associate degree from a regionally accredited college with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
- Have graduated from a CODA accredited dental hygiene program
- Hold a current dental hygiene license for practice in the United States
- If English is your second language, submit iBT TOEFL score of 84 or higher that is less than 2 years old (U-M institution code 1839)
Prospective students should contact the Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program Director, Stefanie Van Duine (stefmarx@umich.edu) before beginning a transfer Common Application. Prospective students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in any area of study and hold a RDH license, should contact the Dental Hygiene Graduate Program Director, Iwonka Eagle (ilenda@umich.edu).