Pre-Dentistry
Basic admission requirements to most dental schools include a minimum of 90 semester hours of coursework. However, the majority of students who are admitted have completed more credit hours and will have received a bachelor’s degree before matriculation.
Course requirements for entrance into most dental schools include the following:
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| ENG 1113 & 1213 | English Composition I & II |
| CHEM 1315 & 1415 | General Chemistry I & II with Lab |
| CHEM 3053, 3153, 3062, 3162 | Organic Chemistry I & II with Lab |
| CHEM 4115 | Biochemistry |
| PHYS 1114 & 1214 | Physics I & II with Lab |
| PSY 1113 | Introduction to Psychology |
In addition, a minimum of eight semester hours are needed in biological sciences. A minimum grade of “C” is required for each prerequisite course.
Students are required to take the American Dental Association Dental Admission Test (DAT) the year preceding the desired year of dental school admission. The DAT is administered on computer by the Sylvan Learning Centers and students register online. A dental school applicant may retake the test a total of three times and must wait 90 days between testing dates.
Observation hours at a dentist’s office are required by all dental programs for admission. Some schools require as many as 100 documented hours.
Most dental schools participate in the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). Candidates are encouraged to apply early online in the fall preceding the year of desired admittance. Strong applicants will be invited for an on-campus interview.
For additional information, contact the Department of Chemistry, Computer and Physical Sciences or the Department of Biological Sciences.