Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
General Information
The Grading System
Grades are issued by members of the faculty to indicate to students their level of achievement and to provide information to committees given the responsibility of reviewing a student’s total academic record and assigning honor or deficient status.
Newly admitted students to the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program, the Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists and Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (B.S.) students are bound by the university grading system (excluding plus/minus grades), which is detailed in the Academic Standards section of this catalogue.
Grades used by course directors of required advanced specialty classes are: “Cr” — credit, “CrH” — credit with honors and “NCr” — no credit. Other notations appearing on the transcript are: “IP” — indicates that the grade in a course is not issued until a subsequent trimester; “IN” — incomplete work; “ICW” — incomplete clinical work; “MG” — missing grade; “W” — withdraw. Students pursuing a Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Biology and students in dental hygiene, doctoral and international classes should refer to the Academic Standards section of this catalogue.
Probation and Disqualification
A student evaluation policy has been developed that outlines methods by which the faculty can recognize outstanding achievements by students and identify those who have difficulty meeting the school’s academic standards.
In this policy, the procedures dealing with the assignment and consequences of academic status, including academic probation and disqualification, are outlined in detail. It is hoped that the development of specific guidelines will eliminate confusion and minimize the amount of time spent in determining the student’s status, thus allowing faculty and students to concentrate on their primary responsibility — the training of dental health professionals. Copies of student professional performance evaluation committee guidelines are available online on the dental school Website intranet.
DDS (includes Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists)
A student will be placed on academic warning if the GPA of a given Academic Time Unit (ATU) falls below a 2.0; if a failing course grade in a course of 1 unit or less is received; if a D grade is received in 3, 4, or 5 units; if a student does not successfully pass National Board Part I and National Board Part II and if in the judgment of the student professional performance evaluation committee, such a warning is warranted for other reasons, such as poor attendance or consistent tardiness.
A student will be placed on academic probation if a failing grade is received in 2 or more units completed in one ATU; if a second consecutive academic warning is warranted; if two conditions that justify academic warning are met in a single ATU or if a single condition is met twice in an ATU, or if a student receives an F or D in a module that results in an MG, or freshman students in trimesters I, II or III will be placed on academic probation if the quality of preclinical work is unsatisfactory as reflected by a minimal passing or failing (D or F) grade in the module or if the quality of preclinical work is poor enough to jeopardize student’s timely transition to clinic with the rest of the class or if warranted by other factors related to the quality of preclinical/clinical work such as poor attendance, unprofessional behavior and/or poor performance in written examinations or, if in the judgment of the student professional performance evaluation committee, probation is warranted by other academic factors; or if recommended by the group practice director, due to quality and/or quantity of clinical work.
A student will be placed on clinical probation upon recommendation of the group practice director if a grade of “F” is received in any of the graded categories of group practice performance, or, in the judgment of the group practice director, probation is warranted by other factors related to the delivery of health care or clinical accomplishment.
A student will be considered for disqualification if (1) at the end of any trimester during the freshman year (trimesters I,II, III) a student’s continued lack of preclinical accomplishment is significant enough to suggest a deterioration of preclinical skills; (2) a second academic probation is warranted; (3) a failing grade is not reconciled; (4) at the end of the academic year the grade point average for the preceding year is below 2.0; (5) academic probation is warranted while repeating a trimester on probation; (6) a deficiency in any area is determined by the Student Professional Performance Evaluation Committee to be insurmountable; (7) at the end of the second trimester of the Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists (ASPID) the cumulative average is less than 2.0; (8) it is recommended by the group practice director, based on severe and irreconcilable deficiencies relating to the quality and/or quantity of patient treatment; and (9) if, at the end of any trimester following trimester VII, a student’s ongoing lack of clinical accomplishment is significant enough to suggest a deterioration of skills and/or inadequate treatment of patients assigned to his/her care.
B.S., Dental Hygiene Students
A student will be placed on academic warning if (1) the GPA for any given Academic Time Unit (ATU) is less than 2.0; (2) a failing grade is received in a 1-unit (or less) course; (3) a grade of “D” is received in a 3-, 4- or 5-unit course. A student will be placed on academic probation if 2 units or more of failure are recorded at the end of any trimester; if a second consecutive academic warning is warranted; or if, in the judgment of the Student Professional Performance Evaluation Committee, probation is warranted.
A student will be placed on clinical probation if a grade of “F” is received in any of the graded categories of group practice performance, or, in the judgment of the group practice director, probation is warranted by other factors related to the delivery of health care or clinical accomplishment.
A student will be considered for disqualification if (1) a third probation is warranted at the end of any trimester; (2) a failing grade is not reconciled; (3) at the end of the academic year the grade point average for the preceding year is below 2.0; (4) academic probation is warranted while repeating a trimester on probation; and (5) a deficiency in any area is determined by the Student Professional Performance Evaluation Committee to be insurmountable. In addition to the Dental School evaluation policy (which evaluates courses taken in the Dental School), students in the Dental Hygiene Program are also bound by the university’s academic status requirements.
Advanced Specialty Students
A student will be placed on academic probation if a failing grade is received in any course or if, in the judgment of the program director, a student’s performance warrants such status due to academic or other factors. A student may be disqualified if the stipulations of a probationary period are not met by the required deadline, a failing grade is not reconciled in the period specified by the course director, or if a deficiency in any area is acquired which is determined by the program director to be insurmountable. A student who is placed on academic probation a second time can continue in the program only with the approval of the program director and the Advanced Student Professional Performance Evaluation Subcommittee.
Honor Status
The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry recognizes excellence in achievement by assigning special honor status during the course of study and by presentation of awards upon graduation.
Dean’s List
Students who complete all course work by a prescribed deadline and earn a grade point average of 3.5 or above for a trimester are placed on the Dean’s List. Students shall not be placed on the Dean’s list if they are on deficient academic status during that trimester (i.e., academic warning, academic probation and continued academic probation).
Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor List
The local chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), a national dental honor fraternity recognizes the top 10 percent of each doctoral dental class at the end of each academic year (August) by including these students on the OKU Honor List. The determination of the top 10 percent is based on a yearly GPA. It should be noted that placement on the OKU Honor List has no relationship to membership in OKU, which is based on overall academic achievement and professional development.
Graduation Awards
There are numerous awards made each year at graduation to recognize excellence in members of the graduating doctoral, dental hygiene and ASPID classes. A complete listing is available at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry.
Voluntary Withdrawal/Leave of Absence
The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry recognizes that in some special instances it may be necessary or beneficial for a student to interrupt or discontinue dental education. A student wishing to withdraw from school or request a leave of absence must contact the Office of Academic Affairs for procedures to be followed. An approved leave of absence will not be granted for more than one year.
Students at the School of Dentistry who have not been formally dropped by the school, are considered enrolled each term unless they have submitted a letter of intent to withdraw. A student’s verbal indication that he or she intends to withdraw or failure to settle a fee bill are not sufficient to eliminate the student from class rosters. Final course grades will be collected for students who do not have a letter of intent to withdraw on file with the Office of Academic Affairs.
A student who withdraws at any time during the first three weeks of a trimester will receive no grades for enrolled courses. A student who withdraws after three full weeks of an Academic Time Unit (ATU) will receive a mark of “W” for all enrolled courses not completed. Withdrawal is not permitted after the 12th week of a trimester.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
The University of Southern California recognizes and acts in full compliance with regulations set in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (The Buckley Amendment). A student may have access to all records about him or her maintained by the university except those considered confidential under the act. Students of the School of Dentistry wishing to review records or to appeal for a change in those records should contact the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC Registrar. A small charge may be made to cover the time and costs of duplication of the record.
Tuition and Fees (Estimated)
Tuition at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry is charged on a flat fee basis for enrollment in the regular degree and advanced certificate programs of the school. Exceptions do not apply to students who have courses waived based on their prior education. In such cases, students are charged the standard flat fee for the program in which they are enrolled.
Auditors pay the regular tuition rate. Auditors are not required to participate in class exercises (discussions and examinations); they receive no grades or credit.
The information outlined here is for Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry fees and tuition deposits only. For information about Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry tuition and university fees, refer to the Tuition and Fees section of this catalogue. The university reserves the right to assess new fees or charges as it may determine.
| Processing Fee (not refundable): | ||
| Domestic applicants | $85.00 | |
| Graduates of foreign dental schools or students requiring a student visa | 145.00 | |
| Commitment Deposit (not refundable) | ||
| Dentistry | 1,500.00 | |
| Dental Hygiene | 500.00 | |
| International Dental and Advanced | 1,500.00 | |
| Pre-Tuition Payment (refundable in accordance with the refund policy) | 1,500.00 | |
| Mandatory Fees (School of Dentistry fees only; for other fees, refer to the Tuition and Fees section of this catalogue.) |
| CDA Dues | 10.00 | |
| Doctoral dental and Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists students only; spring only. | ||
| ASDA Dues | 70.00 | |
| Doctoral dental program and Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists students only; fall only. | ||
| Special Fees | ||
| Transcript Fee | 10.00 | |
| Gown Usage Fee | 165.00 | |
| Disability Insurance (Doctoral, Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists and Advanced Certificate) | 108.00 | |
| Scrubs (first year only) | 210.00 | |
Student Issue
Figures shown below are approximate. The School of Dentistry reserves the right to change fees at any time.
DDS Program
| 1st Year | Instruments and supplies | $10,430.00 |
| IMS Fee | 4,224.00 | |
| Textbooks | 4,636.00 | |
| 2nd Year | Instruments and supplies | 2,919.00 |
| IMS Fee | 4,224.00 | |
| Textbooks | 2,438.00 | |
| 3rd Year | Instruments and supplies | 292.00 |
| IMS Fee | 4,224.00 | |
| Textbooks | 259.00 | |
| 4th Year | Instruments and supplies | 29.00 |
| IMS Fee | 2,816.00 | |
| Textbooks | 505.00 |
Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists
| Incoming | ||
| (Su 2014) | Instruments and supplies | $10,657.00 |
| IMS Fee | 1,408.00 | |
| Textbooks | 0.00 | |
| 1st Year | Instruments and supplies | 87.00 |
| IMS Fee | 4,224.00 | |
| Textbooks | 259.00 | |
| 2nd Year | Instruments and supplies | 393.00 |
| IMS Fee | 2,816.00 | |
| Textbooks | 505.00 |
Advanced Dentistry Programs
| IMS Fee | Endodontics, 1st Year | $2,567.00 |
| Endodontics, 2nd Year | 2,065.00 | |
| Orthodontics, 1st Year | 1,070.00 | |
| Orthodontics, 2nd Year | 915.00 | |
| Orthodontics, 3rd Year | 610.00 | |
| Pediatric Dentistry, 1st Year | 2,220.00 | |
| Pediatric Dentistry, 2nd Year | 0.00 | |
| Periodontology, 1st Year | 2,370.00 | |
| Periodontology, 2nd Year | 2,215.00 | |
| Periodontology, 3rd Year | 765.00 | |
| Prosthodontics, 1st Year | 2,567.00 | |
| Prosthodontics, 2nd Year | 2,018.00 | |
| Prosthodontics, 3rd Year | 610.00 | |
| Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine, 1st Year | 2,173.00 | |
| Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine, 2nd Year | 610.00 | |
| Operative Dentistry, 1st Year | $2,412.00 | |
| Operative Dentistry, 2nd Year | $2,065.00 | |
| Operative Dentistry, 3rd Year | $2,065.00 |
Dental Hygiene Program
| 1st Year | Instruments and supplies | $3,695.00 |
| IMS Fee | 1,506.00 | |
| Textbooks | 2,308.00 | |
| 2nd Year | Instruments and supplies | 224.00 |
| IMS Fee | 1,004.00 | |
| Textbooks | 911.00 |
Financial Aid
Detailed information concerning financial aid programs available to dental students can be obtained by contacting the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC Office of Financial Aid at (213) 740-2841, uscsdfa@usc.edu or visit dentistry.usc.edu/admission.