Dental Hygiene Program
Admission requirements
Two years of liberal arts study with a minimum of 60 semester hours of transferable quality academic course credits are required. For more information on the following prerequisites, please visit www.dentistry.vcu.edu/prospective/dh/requirements.aspx.
Prerequisite courses |
Credits |
| English | 6 |
| General biology with laboratory | 3-5 |
| College chemistry with laboratory | 3-5 |
| Anatomy and physiology with laboratory | 5-8 |
| Microbiology with laboratory | 3-5 |
| Humanities | 3 |
| Introductory sociology | 3 |
| Introductory psychology | 3 |
| Speech | 3 |
| Statistics | 3 |
| Visual or performing arts | 3 |
The remainder of the 60 required credits can be chosen from any of the following areas of study: science, math, computer usage, first aid and CPR, and humanities. Science electives are strongly recommended.
For a list of prerequisite courses that can be taken in the Virginia Community College System or through Richard Bland College, refer to the VCU Transfer Guide.
Additional prerequisites are as follows:
- GPA – A minimum GPA of 2.5 based on a 4.0 scale in the cumulative courses and a minimum GPA of 2.7 in the math/science and designated prerequisite courses are required.
- English proficiency – To successfully complete the dental hygiene curriculum, students are required to communicate clearly (in English) with faculty, students, staff and patients. To assure such competence, the Dental Hygiene Program requires any applicant whose native language is not English and who has been educated primarily outside of the United States to submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language or International English Language Testing System scores. Applicants are required to submit an official score with the application packet. The test must have been taken within the past two years. The Dental Hygiene Program does not conditionally admit applicants who have not met the requirement for proof of English proficiency.
- You have successfully completed 26 or more transferable semester credits at a two- or four-year postsecondary institution in the United States and have completed the full freshman English (non-ESL) requirement at that school with a grade of C or better
or - You have successfully completed 60 or more transferable semester credits at a two- or four-year postsecondary institution in the United States
You may be exempt from this requirement if:
No student will be considered for admission until proof of English proficiency is determined.
TOEFL: VCU’s Dental Hygiene Program minimum TOEFL score requirements is 550 (paper), 213 (computer) or 79-80 (internet-based). For more information about TOEFL testing, go to: www.ets.org
IELTS: VCU’s Dental Hygiene Program minimum IELTS score requirement is 6.0.
- Deadline – Complete the application and submit the required transcripts, references, personal statement and application on or before Feb. 15. The complete application package must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions on the MCV Campus (VMI Building, 1000 E. Marshall St., Room 322) on or before Feb. 15 (not postmarked Feb. 15). Transcripts must include final grades for the fall semester just prior to the application deadline.
- Criminal background check – As an applicant to the Dental Hygiene Program at the VCU School of Dentistry, all accepted candidates, prior to matriculation, will be required to submit to a criminal background check. A final decision about matriculation will be made after a review of the applicant’s CBC.
Any application that does not meet the above stipulations will not be processed. As part of the selection process, a candidate may be asked to participate in a personal interview process.
For additional information on prerequisites or the application or admissions process, please visit the program’s website for prospective students at www.dentistry.vcu.edu/prospective/dh.