Dental Hygiene (MS)

The Master of Science in Dental Hygiene is designed as a 16-month full-time program, but can be taken as a part-time program. The program is designed to train graduate dental hygiene students to become leaders in the field who will help to advance the art and science of the discipline of dental hygiene. Students will learn how to integrate research findings into the dental hygiene process of care to form strategies to decrease oral disease risks and promote oral health among individuals, families and communities. The first three trimesters are devoted to course work that progressively leads to the formation and acceptance of a project plan for implementation in the field in the final trimester. All students will complete 26 units of required core course work, plus four additional units of elective studies in an area of emphasis, which support their interests and future career plans. Emphasis areas include education, geriatric dentistry and pediatric dentistry. Courses in education will be offered through the Department of Dental Hygiene, while electives in geriatric dentistry and pediatric dentistry will be offered through existing graduate programs at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. Students will learn program planning, advanced research methodology and statistical data management, and apply these skills into the design and implementation of their project as the basis for their scholarly capstone project. Students will demonstrate active learning through interactive classes, peer teaching, and the design and use of educational technology. Courses include traditional lecture, case studies, and student written and oral presentations.

Admission Requirements

All applicants to the Master of Science in Dental Hygiene program must satisfy the following general criteria:

• Successfully graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program in North America.
• Possess a baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene or related area from an accredited university.
• Minimum GPA: 3.0
• Scores for the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE);
• Submit three letters of recommendation: one from the undergraduate dental hygiene director and the other two from individuals who can attest to general character. These letters maybe from professors, and/or an employer, a representative from a service organization, or from a respected member of the dental hygiene or dental profession.
• Submit a career statement
• Submit a current curriculum vitae

Applicants who meet these requirements will be invited to interview for the program. The interview may take place in person, by telephone, or through a live, interactive electronic communication.

Application Deadlines

In order to be reviewed, the application and required application materials must be received by the division’s admissions committee prior to February 15 for a fall semester start. Submit the application well in advance of the deadline and note that transcripts and other application materials may take three weeks or more to be processed by the Office of Admissions and then made available to the office. Applications received after February 15 are also welcome and will be processed on a space available basis.

Application Procedures

The ADEA Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service (DHCAS) is the centralized application service for applicants to dental hygiene programs. Please review the instructions for the application at adeadhcas.org. Applicants for the Master of Science in Dental Hygiene must select “Graduate” as the designation.

In order to begin the ADEA DHCAS application, every applicant will need an email address and a DentPin. The DentPin is a personal identification number used in place of the social security number. To receive a DentPin, visit the American Dental Association Website at ada.org/dentpin.

At the same time, applicants must apply and gain admission to the University of Southern California, which is granted in all cases by the USC Office of Admission. Applicants must apply online at usc.edu/admission/graduate/apply at least three weeks before the departmental application deadline to allow adequate time for processing.

Be sure to complete the supplemental portion that relates to dental hygiene. Arrange to have transcripts and test scores sent to USC in time to meet this deadline.

Only a letter from the university Office of Admission grants official university admission.

Materials to Be Submitted by Applicants

Send official transcripts from all colleges attended and GRE test scores via USC’s ETS code (school code is 4852) to:

University of Southern California USC Office of Graduate Admission 3601 South Flower Street Room 112 Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

Supplemental Materials to be Submitted to:

Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC Office of Admissions Room 201 925 W. 34th Street Los Angeles, CA 90089-0641

Supplemental Materials Include:

• Three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation must be in a sealed envelope with a signature across the back.
• Career statement
• Current résumé / curriculum vitae

Degree Requirements

Completion of the degree requires satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 credits of course work at the 500 level or above including a capstone project, which consists of a comprehensive written scholarly report suitable for publication and a defended oral presentation.