Overview

The Accelerated Online AS-MS in Dental Hygiene Program (AS-MS) provides a streamlined path for licensed dental hygienists with their associate degree to obtain an advanced degree in dental hygiene. It draws on the school’s successful E-Learning Degree Completion (BS) program and integrates it into the Master’s of Science in Dental Hygiene program. 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 UM 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 purpose of graduate education is for individuals to master their discipline. As such, the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) define the dental hygienist with a master’s degree specializing in dental hygiene as follows:

A master’s-level dental hygienist is a member of a multidisciplinary health care team who approaches the holistic care of patients from a foundation of evidence-based knowledge and theory. Advanced education and a higher level of mastery prepares the graduate to assume positions in academia, health care organizations, public health, government, research, corporate and dental insurance arenas. Graduates conduct translational research to improve teaching and practice, the health care industry, and oral health care delivery models. This professional is a transformational leader and advocate who drives change in the health care delivery system. Graduates are prepared for doctoral level education.
The following Aims & Outcomes defined by ADEA and ADHA reflect the abilities expected of the graduate of the University of Michigan Master of Science in Dental Hygiene Program. These Aims & Outcomes promote the development of educators, clinicians, researchers, and leaders by cultivating the highest levels of specialized professional knowledge and behaviors. Graduates should leave the program equipped to be valuable contributors and stakeholders in any setting.

Focus AreaAimMaster's OutcomesDoctoral Outcomes
Health Care Policy, Advocacy & DeliveryEvaluate health policyIdentify public policy processes (legislative and regulatory) that influence health priorities and health care educationDevelop policy and regulatory practices that improve the professional practice of dental hygiene
Defend a solution to a problem that supports oral health and the oral- systemic link.
Analyze health policy initiatives and fiscal implications
Improve the health care delivery systemIntegrate social determinants of health to improve health care access and deliveryEvaluate the effectiveness of risk reduction and health promotion programs
Employ program development principles as a leader, advocate, manager, or administrator to improve health care delivery
Create workforce planning models to support community-focused interventions that prevent and control oral diseases and reduce health disparitiesImplement workforce planning models and assess their effectiveness in preventing and controlling oral diseases and reducing health disparities
  Propose policy changes that promote health in diverse populationsAssess the effectiveness of policy changes designed to promote health in diverse populations
Apply health informatics and current technologies to improve health care delivery and outcomes
Participate in advocacy effortsIdentify advocacy needs of vulnerable populations and communities and within the profession
Interprofessional Collaboration & Integrated CareIntegrate dental hygiene into multidisciplinary teamsEstablish partnerships to enhance health care and educationLead health care teams to deliver person- centered care
Design health care teams to deliver person-centered services
Promote the medical/dental integration model
Access, Diversity & InclusionIntegrate cultural competency and inclusion in all professional endeavorsProvide effective, equitable, understandable, and respectful quality care that is responsive to diverse cultural health beliefs, preferred language and health literacyDevelop policy and procedures to improve person-centered care in dental hygiene
Recognize one’s implicit bias and how it impacts actions, decisions and social justiceIntegrate cultural humility, diversity and inclusion in research, teaching, service, advocacy, policy, administration, and public health
Promote diversity and inclusion in research, teaching, service, advocacy, policy, administration, and public health
Scholarship & ResearchIncrease the dental hygiene body of knowledge through original researchConduct original research that supports the National Dental Hygiene Research AgendaConduct dissertation research related to a systematic review
Conduct dissertation research that creates or validates a theoretical model
Conduct dissertation research that translates into policy or practice
Disseminate research findings through professional venuesDisseminate research findings through publication and presentation
EducationModel service, scholarship, and teaching to create a cadre of accomplished dental hygiene educatorsApply learning theory in course development and instruction 
Use evidence-based educational methodologies for clinical, didactic, laboratory, and online learning environments
Apply principles of curriculum development and program administration
Fulfill the roles of the educator in an academic settingAdvance skills in teaching, service, and scholarship
Apply strategies for mentoring and team building with students and colleaguesMentor students in program administration, curriculum design, and curriculum review
LeadershipCreate change through leadership developmentImplement leadership models and applications to enhance innovation and change within health care, educationFulfill leadership positions within health care, education, and professional associations
Recognize leadership potential through active participation in professional associations 
Employ leadership skill sets to create and lead effective, collaborative teamsEngage in service activities and professional association involvement to advance the profession

From the Graduate Dental Hygiene Program Aims and Outcomes, Approved by ADEA & ADHA, 2021.

Requirements

To be considered for admission to UM'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)

Certification in local anesthesia and nitrous oxide analgesia. Must be completed before year 2 for US-licensed dental hygienists. Can be completed before enrolling in the Online Program or during the course sequencing, either through U-M's Continuing Dental Education program or through any other accredited dental hygiene program or continuing education program.

How to Apply

Prospective students should contact the Dental Hygiene Degree Completion program director, Stefanie Van Duine ([email protected]) before beginning an application. Students who have already completed a bachelor's degree in any area of study should contact the Dental Hygiene Graduate program director, Iwonka Eagle ([email protected]).

Admission Requirements and Application process Request More Information Apply Now

Curriculum

Accelerated Online As-Ms In Dental Hygiene Curriculum

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Costs/Tuition

The University sets tuition rates in July for the upcoming academic year.

 

Tuition Rate

Computing Requirements

AS-MS and MSDH Online Programs Computing Requirements

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Financial Support/Scholarships

  • Students who are considering transferring to U-M should apply for financial aid by completing both their FAFSA and CSS PROFILE. Those transferring to U-M from other colleges/universities should follow the aid application instructions for New Undergraduates
Transfer Students
  • U-M DH students have received generous scholarships through a range of school, local, state, and national organizations.
Scholarship Information
  • The U-M ULP provides laptops, free of charge, to selected incoming students who have been identified by the U-M Office of Financial Aid. Students must complete the CSS Profile in order to be considered for this laptop program.
Undergraduate Laptop Program

Transfer Credit Guide

Learn how the credits you've already earned will transfer to the Accelerated Online AS-MS in Dental Hygiene pathway.

AS-MS in Dental Hygiene Transfer Credit Guide

Program Director