Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program has the following requirements for consideration for admission to the program:
- Meets all admission requirements general to the UAMS College of Health Professions
- An overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
- A prerequisite GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
- A math and science GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
- Successful completion of specific coursework
- Successful completion of the ACT
- Completion of the required amount of professional observation
- Meets specific technical standards
- A personal statement
- One letter of recommendation
Admission Factors
Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program is competitive and based on the following criteria:
- Academic achievement
- Academic aptitude
- Leadership and professionalism
- Written and oral communication
Required Coursework
The following 51 credits are required for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program.
All listed courses are required from an institutionally accredited post-secondary academic institution and must fulfill all UAMS College of Health Professions requirements regarding acceptance of transfer credit.
Proof of successful completion of coursework taken in a semester immediately preceding entry into the professional curriculum must be presented before registration.
A course grade of C or higher must be achieved to satisfy general education and program-specific requirements.
Applicants must have completed college algebra and three out of the five science prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better prior to the application deadline.
Admission to the program for applicants who have not completed all prerequisite courses will be conditional pending the completion of all prerequisite courses before enrollment.
All prerequisite courses must be completed by June 1.
Actual course titles may vary among institutions. If in doubt about the suitability of the following prerequisite courses, please contact the College of Health Professions Admissions Office.
Fulfillment of the prerequisite courses for the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program goes not guarantee admission.
General Education Coursework Requirements
| Typical Course Title | Area | Required Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two-semester Sequence of English Composition | English/Communication | 6 |
| Fundamentals of Speech or Speech Communication1 | English/Communication | 3 |
| College Algebra (or Higher-level Mathematics) | Mathematics | 3 |
| Fine Arts (Art, Music or Theatre) | Fine Arts/Humanities | 3 |
| Humanities (History, Humanities, Literature, Philosophy or Political Science) | Fine Arts/Humanities | 3 |
| History of the United States or National Government | Social Sciences | 3 |
| General Psychology | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Introduction to Sociology | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Total General Education Hours | 27 |
1 Due to rules set forth by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, Speech Communication is a required prerequisite and cannot be substituted by an additional fine arts or humanities course.
Program-Specific Coursework Requirements
| Typical Course Title | Area | Required Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Principles of Chemistry with Lab | Science | 4 |
| Principles of Biology with Lab (a Zoology Course with Lab is Also Acceptable) | Science | 4 |
| Microbiology with Lab | Science | 4 |
| Two-semester Sequence of Human Anatomy and Physiology (Labs Not Required) | Science | 6 |
| Electives | General | 6 |
| Total Program-Specific Hours | 24 |
Summary of Coursework Requirements
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| General Education Prerequisites | 27 |
| Program-Specific Prerequisites | 24 |
| Total Prerequisite Hours | 51 |
Credit by Examination
College Level Examination Program Credits
The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program will not accept College Level Examination Program credits to fulfill the required science coursework.
The program will accept CLEP credits awarded by other institutionally accredited post-secondary academic institutions to fulfill the other required coursework. To be considered for credit transfer, the official transcript from the awarding institution must reflect the CLEP credits.
Refer to the UAMS College of Health Professions Future Students website for details about credit by examination.
Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credits
Due to rules set forth by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program will not accept Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credits to fulfill the required math and science coursework.
The program will accept AP or IB credits awarded by other institutionally accredited post-secondary academic institutions to fulfill the other required coursework. To be considered for credit transfer, the official transcript from the awarding institution must reflect the CLEP credits.
Refer to the UAMS College of Health Professions Future Students website for details about credit by examination.
ACT
The successful completion of the ACT is required. A minimum composite score of 20 is preferred but not required.
Professional Observation
The applicant must complete at least 20 observation hours in a dental office.
A dentist or dental hygienist in that dental office must complete and sign the professional observation form to document these observation hours.
Personal Statement
Prospective students applying to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program will be required to compose a personal statement detailing the following:
- An explanation of the applicant’s interest in the dental hygiene profession
- The experiences that have helped to prepare the applicant for their career
- The applicant’s short-term and long-term goals
- The applicant’s strengths
- The applicant’s weaknesses or areas in need of improvement
The personal statement should not exceed 500 words in length.
Letter of Recommendation
When applying for the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program, prospective students must submit one letter of recommendation, preferably from either a college professor or a supervisor, detailing the applicant’s skills, qualities and achievements is required. The letter can be uploaded to the application or emailed to CHPAdmissions@UAMS.edu.
Technical Standards
In order to be admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program, applicants must possess certain physical, cognitive and behavioral abilities necessary to complete the curriculum. These requirements exist to ensure that students are able to effectively acquire the knowledge and skills needed to become competent and successful dental hygienists. Please visit the Technical Standards page for details.