Degree Planning and Milestones

To help you plan your four years in the dental hygiene program, here are some goals for your studies and a sample schedule.

Freshman and Sophomore Years (General Education and Science Coursework including prerequisites for program application):

You will enroll as a pre-dental hygiene major and take courses in the university’s General Education (GE) curriculum and natural sciences that will be used as a foundation for the professional program. You’ll need to plan carefully and work with your advisor to meet these program prerequisites in two years.

You’ll apply for admission to the professional program during autumn semester of your sophomore year; all applicants are notified of their admission decision during spring semester. Successful applicants will enter the dental hygiene major in autumn semester of the junior year.

Junior and Senior Years (professional program):

The professional program requires two years of full-time study, including the summer term following the junior year. It includes dental and dental hygiene sciences, pre-clinic laboratory, clinical experiences and research methods.

As a dental hygiene student, you provide important patient care to our community. Our dental clinic is open during some university breaks, and you may be required to participate in clinic even when other university classes are not in session.

Freshman year (pre-dental hygiene)

C– or higher in English 1110, Math, and at least three of the six required sciences
Successful completion of 30 semester hours
Maintain competitive science grade point average and overall grade point average
Confirm choice of major by completing 20 hours of observation of dental hygienists in private practice.

Sophomore year (pre-dental hygiene)

C– or higher in all required basics sciences
Successful completion of all program prerequisites
Submit program application during autumn semester; applicants will be notified of their admission status during spring semester
Maintain competitive science grade point average and overall grade point average

Junior year

C– or higher in all required dental hygiene courses
Maintain dental hygiene grade point average and overall grade point average above 2.0
Maintain clinical grade point average of 2.5 or above

Senior year

C– or higher in all required dental hygiene courses
Successful completion of area of specialization
Maintain dental hygiene grade point average and overall grade point average above 2.0
Maintain clinical grade point average of 2.5 or above

Sample Schedule – Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene - Legacy GE

Semester 1 - Autumn		Semester 2 - Spring
DHY 1100 Math 1148 (1116 or above) Biology 1101 GE (Psych 1100) GE (VPA)		Chem 1110 or Chem 1210 English 1110 Human Nutrition 2210 or 2310 or 2410 GE (Sociology 1101 or Rural Sociology 1500)
Semester 3 - Autumn		Semester 4 - Spring
Anatomy 2300 or EEOB 2510 Microbiology 4000.01 GE (2nd writing) GE (Social Science, Culture or History) Electives		EEOB 2520 or Physio 3200 GE (Literature) GE (Historical Study) GE (Student Selected) Electives
Semester 5 - Autumn	Semester 6 - Spring		Summer Term
Dental Hygiene 2110, 2130, 2150, 2220, 2240, 2300 (17 hours)	Dental Hygiene 2170, 2400, 2310, 3110, 3140, 3150, 3160, 3170, 3230 (17 hours)		Dental Hygiene 3180, 3210, 3320, specialization (6-10 hours)
Semester 7 - Autumn		Semester 8 - Spring
Dental Hygiene 3130, 3330, 3400, 4210, 4530 specialization (15–17 hours)		Dental Hygiene 4220, 4250, 4340, 4430, specialization (10–13 hours)

Sample Schedule – Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene - New GE

Semester 1 - Autumn		Semester 2 - Spring
DHY 1100 (1) Math 1148 (1116 or above) (3-5) – Math & Quant* Biology 1101, 1110, or 1113 (4) – Prerequisite GE (Psych 1100) (3) – Social & Behavioral Science* Race, Ethnic, & Gender Diversity GE (3) (14-16 hours)		Chemistry 1110 or 1210 (5) – Natural Science* English 1110 (3) – Writing & Information Literacy* Human Nutrition 2410, 2210 or 2310 (3) – Prerequisite Sociology 1101 or Rural Sociology 1500) (3) – Prerequisite GE Launch Seminar (1) (15 hours)
Semester 3 - Autumn		Semester 4 - Spring
Anatomy 2300 (4) or EEOB 2510 – Prerequisite Microbiology 4000.01 (4) – Prerequisite Theme: Citizenship for a Diverse & Just world Theme (3) Theme: Student Choice (3) (14 hours)		EEOB 2520 or Physio 3200 (3) – Prerequisite GE (Literature/VPA) (3) GE (Historical Study/Cultures & Ideas) (3) Theme: Citizenship for a Diverse & Just world Theme (3) Theme: Student Choice (3) (15 hours)
Semester 5 - Autumn		Semester 6 - Spring
Dental Hygiene 2110 Oral Anatomy, Tooth Morphology and Occlusion (4) 2130 Oral Radiography (3) 2150 Periodontology (3) 2220 The Profession of Dental Hygiene (1) 2240 Oral Health and Disease Prevention (2) 2300 Dental Hygiene Pre-Clinic (4) (17 hours)		Dental Hygiene 2170 Dental Materials Laboratory (2) 2310 Dental Hygiene Clinic I (4) 2400 Scientific Inquiry (1) 3110 General Pathology and Medicine for Dental Hygiene (2) 3140 Pain and Anxiety Management (2) 3150 Periodontal Therapy (2) 3160 Pharmacology for Dental Hygiene (1) 3170 Dental Materials (1) 3230 Care for Patients with Special Needs (2) (17 hours)
Summer Term
Dental Hygiene 3180 Medical and Dental Emergencies (1) 3210 Community Oral Health (2) 3320 Dental Hygiene Clinic II (3) Specialization (6-10 hours)
Semester 7 - Autumn		Semester 8 - Spring
Dental Hygiene 3130 Oral Pathology (2) 3330 Dental Hygiene Clinic III (5) 3400 Research Application and Analysis (2) 4210 Integrated Dental Hygiene Science I (1) 4530 Oral Health Behavior Management (2) (12 hours) Specialization credits (2-3 hours)		Dental Hygiene 4220 Integrated Dental Hygiene Science II (1) 4250 Practice Management (2) 4340 Dental Hygiene Clinic IV (5) 4430 Dental Hygiene Practicum (2) GE Reflection seminar (1) (11 hours) Specialization credits (2-3 hours)

*These courses can also fulfill certain GE Requirements and prerequisites for admission to DHY