The curriculum is completed in either a one-year or two-year track with most courses offered during day time hours using a hybrid or blend of synchronous and asynchronous class activities. The total degree requirement is 120 semester credits. Students may apply a maximum of 90 semester hours of approved transfer credits (toward the 120 total) in dental hygiene and general education courses. All 90 transfer credits must be completed by August 1 before enrolling in the Degree Completion Program.  All transfer credits must be completed at a U.S. regionally accredited college or university.  Dental Hygiene transfer credits must be completed at a U.S. regionally accredited college or  university in addition to accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Length of time to complete the program is one year or two years depending on the track students are admitted to and the program always begins in the fall semester.  Please note that only courses passed with a C grade will transfer into the Degree Completion Program.  No grades lower than C will be accepted.

The Dental Hygiene Program will accept on a case by case basis general credit by examination in the areas of non-science courses such as sociology, psychology, humanity and social sciences electives, and English composition.  The individual must contact the admissions advisor for individual advising and review of coursework.  It is possible that up to 6-9 credits MAY be accepted by general examination.

The last 30 credits consist of 18 hours taken in the Division of Dental Hygiene and 12 hours of upper level electives which must be approved by the Degree Completion Program Director and which must be taken at a University of Maryland campus. Some elective credits may be available online and by distance education.

Students update and expand their knowledge and skills in dental hygiene practice, communication, management, research, educational and community/institutional health. In cooperation with faculty advisors, they may design and implement one or more independent projects within the School of Dentistry or at affiliated community sites. Degree completion students may select teaching, research, management, clinical practice or other practicums to meet their learning goals. Through these courses and projects, students gain expertise and confidence in areas of career interest.

To learn more about the Degree Completion Program, students should contact Ms. Sheryl Syme.

Sheryl L. Syme, RDH, MS

Associate Professor

Director, Degree Completion Program

410-706-7224

ssyme@umaryland.edu

The Academic Common Market (ACM) is a program consisting of sixteen Southern states that participate in a higher education consortium.  ACM affords students an opportunity to enroll in certain out-of-state bachelor’s and graduate degree programs that are not offered within the student’s home state’s public college or university, at reduced tuition rates. The following states are partners in the ACM consortium: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida (graduate programs only), Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina (graduate programs with restrictions) Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas (graduate programs only), Virginia, and West Virginia. Therefore, if you have not earned a previous bachelor’s degree, reside in one of these states and a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene is not offered in your home state, and if you wish to come to the University of Maryland, Baltimore to obtain your Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene, you may want to explore your eligibility for a ACM tuition waiver with your home state’s higher education commission. The Delaware ACM, see link below, has been successfully utilized by eligible Degree Completion students residing in Delaware.

• Link to Academic Common Market

The DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) is a grant that allows you to attend any public institution in the nation as if you're a resident of the school's state. You pay the low in-state tuition and the grant pays the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition up to $10,000 a year. With a maximum of 5 award years that can amount to a lifetime of $50,000, this grant makes affordable college tuition a reality. This program has been successfully utlized by eligible Degree Completion students residing in Washington, D.C.

• Link to DCTAG Program for Washington, D.C. Residents

The Committee on Dental Hygiene Recruitment and Admissions reserves the right to modify the prerequisites when additional courses are necessary to improve an applicant's preparation for entering the dental hygiene program. Admission and curriculum requirements are subject to change without prior notice. Students who complete the transfer curriculum are not guaranteed admission. All 90 transfer credits must be completed by August 1 before enrolling in the Degree Completion Program. All transfer credits must be completed at regionally accredited colleges or universities with a C grade or higher.  The Dental Hygiene Program will accept on a case by case basis general credit by examination in the areas of non-science courses such as sociology, psychology, humanity and social science electives, and English composition. The individual must contact the admissions advisor for individual advising and review of coursework.  It is possible that up to 6-9 credits MAY be accepted by examination. Dental hygiene coursework and credits will only be transferred from regionally accredited colleges and universities as well as those colleges accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.  There are a limited number of 1 Year and 2 Year track class positions. Students will be considered for the 1 or 2 year track program based on availability of spots and student selection of the track of interest on the application.

The University of Maryland, and all of its branches and divisions, subscribes to a policy of equal educational opportunities for all people of all ages, races, creeds and ethnic origins. The Committee on Dental Hygiene Recruitment and Admissions carefully reviews all applications in a confidential process.

Bachelor of Science Degree Completion Program

Admission Requirements

• Graduate of a dental hygiene program regionally accredited and accredited by the U.S. ADA Commissions on Dental Accreditation.
• Dental Hygiene licensure in at least one state.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0.