Application Process

The program in dental hygiene starts in the spring of each year. Current U-M students should apply using the Cross-Campus Transfer Application. Students transferring from all other educational institutions should complete the Transfer Student Online Application and indicate "Dental Hygiene BS" 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. Transfer students should check the Transfer Equivalency search page to find out if their credits will transfer in to the University of Michigan. Simply select the institution the credits would be transferring from, and the U-M school or college being applied to, in order to determine which credits will transfer.

The U-M Dental Hygiene Program has competitive enrollment. Consideration is given to applications from all qualified resident and non-resident candidates. 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. E-mail hygiene.info@umich.edu for more information.

The Dental Hygiene Program follows the University of Michigan's policy on advanced standing. Information can be found at the Undergraduate Admissions page on AP, IB Credit.

Applications and application materials are all processed through the U-M's Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Applications are accepted starting in August of the previous calendar year and closes February 1 of the starting year. Applicants can read more about the University of Michigan's admissions policies on the Admissions website. For tuition information, see the Office of the Registrar's website.

Application Materials

All transfer students are required to submit the following prior to the deadline date:

  • Completed application (The Common Application).
  • Final official secondary school record (high school), including 9th–12th grades, test data, and graduation date
  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (colleges, universities, technical institutes)
  • Essays
  • Application fee
  • Test scores (ACT, SAT, MELAB, TOEFL, IELTS), if applicable

If you have any questions about the admissions process, please contact Lisa Dodge at ldodge@umich.edu or 734-763-3392.

Standardized National Test Scores

If the applicant took the ACT or SAT as a high school student those scores should be sent to the University to be evaluated as part of the application. If ACT or SAT scores are not posted on the high school transcript, please have the scores sent directly from the testing agency to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. If the scores have not already been reported to the University of Michigan, applicants may request to have them sent online using these links:

  • ACT (U-M code is 2062)
  • SAT (U-M code is 1839)
  • Rush paper scores are not accepted.

English as a Second Language

MELAB, TOEFL, or IELTS test scores are required of all speakers of English as a second language.

Admission Requirements

Students enter the dental hygiene program as sophomores. The average GPA of incoming students to the Dental Hygiene Program is 3.5.

Minimum Prerequisite Requirement

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:

  • English Composition II
  • General Biology

Procedure For Selection

All completed applications are sent to the Admissions Committee for review. The Committee thoroughly evaluates each application using the Dental Hygiene Program Admissions Rubric to ensure the applicant has met all prerequisite requirements and obtained the necessary number of credit hours for entrance. Admissions selection is then based on academic performance and standing, including strong achievement in science courses, and a demonstrated interest in dental hygiene as a career. Additionally, each student’s application essays are read and reviewed for completeness/comprehensiveness of response, and breadth and depth of extracurricular activities, community involvement, and leadership experiences.

Applicants are notified in writing whether or not their application is accepted or denied. Applicants who have been deferred are contacted directly by the Program regarding their status. Accepted students begin the program spring semester of the upcoming academic year.

Acceptance

In addition to meeting the University of Michigan immunization requirements, the University of Michigan School of Dentistry requires all incoming students to have completed the Record of Required Immunizations form.

Accepted students are sent the Record of Required Immunizations form. The Record of Required Immunizations form must be completed no later than the first day of classes of the Spring semester and must contain the following:

Required Immunizations

  1. Hepatitis B Vaccination - In addition to the Hepatitis B vaccination series, all students MUST have the Hepatitis B Immune Titer. If your test results for the titer are negative then you must repeat the Hepatitis B vaccination series.
  2. Measles, Mumps, and Rubella - Students need two documented doses of the MMR vaccine.
  3. Tuberculosis - Students are required to have a PPD skin test dated the first day of the Spring semester or later. If you test positive then you are required you have a chest x-ray to confirm that your immune system is normal and that you do not have tuberculosis.
  4. Varicella (Chicken Pox) - If you have had chicken pox then you are not required to have the immune titer. If you have not had chicken pox but have received the Varicella Vaccination, you MUST have the Varicella Immune Titer.
  5. Tetanus/Pertussis - All students must have the one-time booster for Tdap.

Infectious And Bloodborne Diseases

The U-M Dental Hygiene Program complies with institutional, local, state, and federal regulations on bloodborne pathogen diseases, ionizing radiation, and hazardous materials. Students in the Program follow CDC, OSHA, and other guidelines to protect themselves and their patients from occupational exposure to these hazards. In addition, the Program has policies and procedures related to individuals who have bloodborne infectious disease(s).

Insurance Requirements

U-M School of Dentistry dental hygiene students (excluding online degree students) are required to complete the Health Insurance Submit Form in MiTools to demonstrate coverage for the current year at a minimum level of health insurance. For more information, see Health Insurance Guidelines.

Licensure Disclosure

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry Dental Hygiene program was designed to satisfy educational prerequisites to licensure for dental hygiene only in the state of Michigan. It has not been determined whether educational prerequisites to licensure would be satisfied in other states.

Students should consult the dental board in their state to confirm if the dental hygiene degree from University of Michigan School of Dentistry meets the criteria for professional licensure in their state.