Degree Completion Baccalaureate Program
The degree completion program provides the opportunity for registered dental hygienists who hold a certificate or associate degree to pursue studies leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene.
Program Requirements
Transfer credits consist of the student’s previous dental hygiene courses and general course requirements, totaling 90 semester credits. General course transfer credits are granted for the baccalaureate degree taken at any regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian colleges or universities. Students must be a graduate of a dental hygiene program of a college or university that is regionally accredited and also accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation. The courses required are the same as those listed in the Pre-Professional Program freshman and sophomore years, except only one chemistry and one anatomy/physiology course is required. To be granted as transfer credits, students must attain a grade of C or better in all courses. Consultation with the degree completion program director regarding transfer courses is recommended.
Degree Completion Requirements. Thirty credits of institutional coursework at the University of Maryland are completed while in the dental hygiene degree completion program after matriculation of the specific 90 transfer credits. The degree completion program at the School of Dentistry consists of senior level didactic courses, totaling 10 credit hours (DHYG 412, DHYG 414, DHYG 416, DHYG 425, DHYG 427; 6* credit hours of practicum courses (DHYG 418 and DHYG 428) and a 2* credit DHYG 328B anesthesia and sedation course (for student not previously holding permits to administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide at the time of application; and 12 credit hours of approved academic electives, generally taken at another campus of the University of Maryland.
Curriculum Planning
Registered dental hygienists should submit to the degree completion program director transcripts from their dental hygiene program and all other institutions attended, so that transfer credits may be evaluated and a program developed to satisfy remaining requirements. Students should meet regularly with the advisor to ensure appropriate course scheduling.
Application and Admission Procedures
In addition to meeting the general course requirements, the student applying for admission to the degree completion program at the School of Dentistry must:
- Be a graduate of a regionally accredited and CODA accredited U.S. or Canadian dental hygiene program.
- Be licensed in at least one state in the U.S.
- Have a minimum grade point average of 2.5. Applications for admission may be obtained from:
The Office of Admissions
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
650 West Baltimore St., Room 6402
Baltimore, MD 21201
Applications should be received no later than February 1 before the fall semester for which the student wishes to enroll. Enrollment at another University of Maryland campus does not guarantee admission to the degree completion program at the School of Dentistry. Enrollment in the degree completion program is limited. Students who are offered admission will be required to send the required deposit with a letter of intent to enroll. This deposit will be credited toward tuition at registration, but will not be refunded in the event of failure to enroll.
Student Expenses
Tuition and fees are listed on the Student Accounts website. The charges for instrument service, supplies, and uniforms are not applicable for degree completion students. Textbook costs would be considerably lower than listed.
Graduation Requirements
One hundred twenty (120) semester credit hours are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in the degree completion dental hygiene program. The last 30 credit hours toward the baccalaureate degree must be taken at the University of Maryland. Courses not offered at the School of Dentistry may be taken at another University of Maryland campus.