Overview

The On-Campus Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree Completion program is designed for dental hygienists who either have an associate’s 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 allows students to cater their educational experience to their professional goals and interests while enrolled in classes with current on-campus dental hygiene students. The course of study provides a broad-based education and enables graduates to expand their career options beyond clinical practice.

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.

Program Goals

  • Develop leaders in the dental hygiene profession.
  • Prepare dental hygienists to work as members of multidisciplinary health care teams and in alternative practice settings.
  • Prepare dental hygienists for expanded roles and career opportunities.

Admissions


ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

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  • The Admissions Committee examines grades for consistency/improvement and repeated and/or withdrawn courses.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.

Completion of 120 semester hour credits is required to obtain the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene through the Degree Completion Program. The Degree Completion Program comprises 36 credit hours. Sixty (60) semester hour credits from dental hygiene coursework will be applied. An additional twenty-four (24) credit hours (including statistics) will also be considered for transfer, and must be completed prior to beginning the Degree Completion Program. In order for your course work to be considered transferable to the University of Michigan, it must meet certain criteria. We recommend that prospective students contact us early to evaluate transfer credit.

Program Director

Stefanie Marie VanDuine

Director, Degree Completion in Dental Hygiene
stefmarx@umich.edu

Learn More

Applicants with a RDH license should contact the Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program Director, Stefanie VanDuine (stefmarx@umich.edu) before submitting an application. If interested in a master’s degree, please view information on our Online AS-MS program. 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). The program will admit students in the fall, winter, and spring/summer terms. Students may enroll either full- or part-time.

Admission Requirements and Application Process Request More Information Join a Virtual Fact Session Apply Now

Tuition and Expenses

Students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program are considered upper-division students in the School of Dentistry/Dental Hygiene. The University of Michigan Office of the Registrar provides information on tuition and fees.

On-Campus Curriculum


A total of 120 semester hour credits is required for completion of the Degree Completion Program. Sixty (60) semester hour credits from an entry- level dental hygiene program will be applied. Students must complete 60 semester hours beyond their dental hygiene education. For individuals who graduated from a dental hygiene program at an institution other than the U-M, a maximum of 24 credit hours can be given as transfer credit, with the remaining 36 hours taken in residency at the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus. For U-M alumnae/i, a maximum of 45 semester hours is transferable, and the last 15 hours must be taken in residency. Each student's transcript will be individually evaluated to determine proper credits. We recommend that prospective students contact us early to do so.

Within the U-M in-residency credit hours, students must take 15 credit hours of dental hygiene core courses. The remaining credit hours can be selected from a list of suggested courses to enhance individual educational goals and interests.

Required courses for the on-campus Degree Completion Program include statistics, research methods, public health/community, and scientific writing.