Professional Degrees, page 4

Professional Degrees, page 4
School of Dentistry

International Student Program

This program is designed to teach qualified dentists from other countries the knowledge and skills available in the United States. Time necessary to complete the program depends upon the doctor's ability; a minimum of two years is usually required. About eight months will be devoted to fundamental, technical and academic procedures. The remaining time is devoted to clinical training as necessary to achieve graduation qualifications. Graduation from the International Student Program leads to a D.D.S. degree but does not give automatic licensure to practice dentistry. However, graduates are eligible to take the State Board Dental Examinations in most of the United States. (A few states still require U.S. citizenship.)

Additional information may be requested from the Office of Admissions and Minority Affairs, University of Southern California School of Dentistry, Room 216, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0641, (213) 740-2841.

Admission

Prospective students must apply to the International Student Program, USC School of Dentistry, University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0641, or call: (213) 740-2841. Applicants will be tested in December and accepted based on the following requirements: (1) completion of the formal application (before October 1 for admission to the program in April). (2) Successful completion of the National Boards Part I examination of the American Dental Association (ADA). The alternative to the National Board examination is the ADA Science Achievement Test given at USC in December. A score of 75 percent must be attained in each category. Higher scores are advantageous in evaluation of the candidate's academic level. (3) Proficiency in English is an important key to success in the program. To demonstrate competence in English, applicants must take a comprehensive language examination administered at USC by the American Language Institute (ALI) in December. Scores of 202 or higher are acceptable. If a candidate scores lower than a level of 202 but has a score of 600 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the English requirement is waived. The TOEFL can be arranged through an American embassy. (4) A personal interview by a member of the international student faculty of the School of Dentistry. (5) All candidates must take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) before the end of October; this can usually be taken at any American embassy. (6) Two letters of recommendation from former teachers. (7) A brief but accurate account of clinical experience. (8) Documentary proof of license to practice from a Ministry of Health or proper governing body. (9) Satisfactory completion of and competence in the following academic and artistic entrance examinations to be given in December: (a) fixed prosthodontics (practical); (b) complete removable prosthodontics (written and practical); (c) operative dentistry (practical); (d) spatial relations (practical). (10) Complete official documents (transcripts) of all college and university course work, including dental education. (11) Certification of dental degree. Candidates chosen will be those who demonstrate the best qualifications in all academic and practical skills.

Student Visas

The I-20 Student Visa is issued to the applicant only after complete admission and acceptance has been granted. Before the papers can be processed, the accepted applicant must present a copy of the I-94 form (white sheet in the passport) and a notarized statement of financial support for tuition and expenses for two years ($100,000) to the International Student Program. The USC International Admissions Office will issue the I-20 visa upon receipt of these documents.

Financial Assistance

It is university policy to accept candidates who have the personal financial resources to pay for graduate study. Foreign students are usually ineligible for financial assistance through the university or U.S. banks with the exception of permanent residents or U.S. citizens. In no case is financial assistance available to foreign nationals attending school on student visas.

Permanent residents and U.S. citizens enrolling in the International Student Program are advised that financial support for all students is severely limited, therefore, all applicants are urged to carefully examine their financial resources before accepting an offer of admission.

Curriculum

Each candidate for the D.D.S. degree should complete the course of instruction in two years, however, some individuals may need more time. Instruction is given by the ISP faculty in conjunction with the regular faculty and staff of the School of Dentistry. The first four to eight months will be spent in preclinical exercises to acquaint the student with the fundamental technical procedures used at USC. The balance will be used for clinical procedures related to diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Grade Point Average Standards

Since this is a short program and highly concentrated, a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (A = 4.0) must be maintained each trimester. Therefore, each applicant will be provisionally accepted. If a doctor is unable to maintain an average GPA of 2.0, he or she will be asked to resign.

Periodic meetings each trimester by the entire International Student Program faculty to evaluate each student's progress are used to help counsel the students more effectively in their course work. From these meetings, recommendations are made regarding advancement, special programs and disqualification.

Graduation Requirements

In order to receive the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree, students in the International Student program must: (1) successfully complete all the courses in the curriculum, (2) pass Part I and Part II of the ADA National Board examination, and (3) pass an oral comprehensive examination on the clinical sciences administered by the faculty of the International Student Program.

In addition to meeting the academic requirements indicated above, students must have a completed administrative clearance form on file in the Office of the Dental Registrar before a degree can be conferred. This administrative clearance indicates that the student has met financial and other obligations to the university and to the student's patients.

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