Undergraduate Degrees, page 2

Undergraduate Degrees, page 2
School of Dentistry

Post-Certificate Program

The Post-Certificate Dental Hygiene Program provides the opportunity for dental hygienists who hold a certificate or associate degree to earn a Bachelor of Science degree within the discipline of dental hygiene. Specific emphasis will be placed on advanced periodontal education and clinical teaching skills.

The main objective of the program is to broaden the associate or certificate degree holder's career options. Graduates of the program will be prepared to assume positions of responsibility and leadership in a variety of health care, research, community and educational settings.

Admission

Admission to the school is granted through the Office of Admissions and Minority Affairs, School of Dentistry, which receives and processes all applications, evaluates credentials and mails letters of acceptance to applicants who qualify for entrance. Because of the university's selective admissions policy and limited enrollment, only those applicants are accepted who present evidence of intellectual promise and strong personal qualifications, including good moral character and sound health. (Before registration, the Student Health Service form, signed by the applicant's attending physician, must be filed with the Student Health Center.) Admission to the university in all cases is determined by the Office of Admissions and Minority Affairs and appropriate selection committees.

Application forms may be obtained by mail or in person from the Office of Admissions and Minority Affairs. A fee of $50 must be sent with the completed application. The fee is not refundable.

Credentials for admission must include complete records of all previous college or university work. The student must request the registrar of each school attended to forward one official transcript of record directly to the School of Dentistry, Office of Admissions and Minority Affairs. These should include the program of studies in which the applicant is currently registered. The university does not undertake to collect these credentials.

Applications for the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene should be filed well in advance of June 15 of the year in which the student wishes to be admitted. The program begins in September.

Admission Requirements

(1) A minimum overall 3.0 GPA and a minimum 3.0 GPA in dental hygiene course work is recommended.

(2) A minimum score of 80 on the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination is recommended.

(3) Completion of a two-year accredited dental hygiene program is required.

(4) Licensure in at least one state is highly recommended.

(5) Interviews are required for admission and invitations are extended to those candidates in whom the Committee on Admissions has a serious interest.

(6) A personal statement is required.

(7) Three reference forms are required, one from the director, one from a clinical instructor and one from a basic science instructor of the dental hygiene program attended.

(8) Consideration is given to personal maturity and professional motivation. Students selected must be committed to scholarly pursuits and have career goals compatible with the basic objectives of the post-certificate program.

One class will be admitted in the fall trimester only. Applications must be submitted no later than June 15. Applicants currently enrolled in the last year of a dental hygiene program may apply for admission.

Lower Division Requirements

A minimum of 60 semester units and completion of the following courses are required for admission to the program (an Associate Arts Degree/Certificate in dental hygiene from an accredited school in the United States or Canada generally fulfills these requirements).

General Biology or Zoology with Lab
One year or a minimum of six semester hours is required. Anatomy, physiology or microbiology may not be used to fulfill this requirement.

General Chemistry with Lab
One year or a minimum of six semester hours is required. Organic chemistry may not be used to fulfill this requirement, but may be applied toward elective credit.

Composition
One year or a minimum of six semester hours is required. Literature courses may not be used to fulfill this requirement, but may be applied toward elective credit.

Introduction to Sociology
One semester or a minimum of three semester hours is required.

General Psychology
One semester or a minimum of three semester hours is required.

Public Speaking
One semester or a minimum of three semester hours is required.

Required Elective Credit
An additional 33 units of credit are required.

Liberal Arts At least 12 of these units must be in the liberal arts area (literature, the arts, social sciences, history, biological or physical sciences, etc.).

Dental Hygiene Course Work A minimum of 21 units in previous dental hygiene course work may be accepted.

Orientation

Orientation is traditionally scheduled during the week prior to the first week of classes. The purpose of the program is to acquaint incoming students with the School of Dentistry, its policies, programs, faculty and facilities. Incoming students receive financial counseling and purchase their initial equipment issue as part of orientation activities.

Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
univpub@stuaff.usc.edu