Baccalaureate Degree Completion in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) and
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Programs
- When are the program Information Sessions for prospective students?
- Do I need to attend an Information Session to apply to either of the dental hygiene programs?
- What are the requirements I need to complete before applying?
- When do I apply?
- What are the program's application deadlines?
- What application materials must be submitted with my application?
- When are official transcript(s) due?
- How many applicants who fulfill the requirements are admitted?
- Is there a waiting list?
- Do I need to be a licensed dental hygienist?
- If you hold a Dental Hygiene license in another state, are there any other licensure requirements specific to the BSDH or Post-Bac Cert Programs?
- Should I include recommendations letters and resume?
- What is the length of the BSDH degree completion program?
- What is the length of the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program?
- When will admission decisions be made?
- Is there a special tuition rate?
- Are there any other program requirements or documentation needed once admitted?
- Where and when will course be offered?
- Are there opportunities to further my education beyond the baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree?
- Where can I find out more information about the Master of Science in Oral Health Care Practitioner Program?
When are the program Information Sessions for prospective students?
Metropolitan State University: New dates, times and locations will be posted in late May. University Map: http://www.metrostate.edu/
Normandale Community College: New dates, times and locations will be posted in late May. College map: http://www.normandale.edu/maps
Do I need to attend an Information Meeting to apply to either of the dental hygiene programs?
Yes, in order to obtain an application, an information meeting must be attended to have your questions answered.
What are the requirements I need to complete before applying?
Degree Completion Bachelor of Science Program (BSDH):
- Licensed dental hygienist or
- Graduating from an associate degree dental hygiene program within 5 months of the application deadline
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (calculated from all college coursework)
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (Post-Bac Cert):
- Licensed dental hygienist or
- Graduating from a baccalaureate degree dental hygiene program within 5 months of the application deadline
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (calculated from all college coursework)
When do I apply?
BSDH: Applications will be accepted from January 1-March 15 for fall admission.
Post-Bac Cert: Applications will be accepted twice a year for the Post-Certificate program; September 1-October 30 for spring admission, if seats are available, and January 1-March 15 for fall admission.
What are the program's application deadlines?
BSDH: March 15 of the year you are applying (for fall admission) CERT: March 15 of the year you are applying.
What application materials must be submitted with my application?
Your completed application, essay, and a $20.00 fee (waived if you have previously attended Metropolitan State University). Official transcripts must be requested from all of the accredited institutions that you attended, sent to the Admissions Office at Metropolitan State and postmarked by the application deadline.
When are official transcript(s) due?
All official transcripts from accredited institutions must be sent directly to the Admissions Office at Metropolitan State University and postmarked by the advertised application deadline.
How many applicants who fulfill the requirements are admitted?
Twenty-four applicants will be accepted into the BSDH program and six to eight applicants will be accepted into the Post-Bac Certificate program. The remaining qualified applicants who fulfill the requirements will be considered as alternates. If your alternate status does not change, you must reapply to the BSDH or Post-Bac Cert programs for the following year.
Is there a waiting list?
NO, there is no waiting list but there is an alternate list. If you are not accepted into the program you must complete a new application for the next year and meet the advertised deadline dates.
Do I need to be a licensed dental hygienist?
Yes and No:
BSDH: Yes, if you have completed an associate degree program in dental hygiene you must have documentation of an active dental hygiene license. No, if you are in your last semester of an associate or bachelor degree dental hygiene program. A letter from the dental hygiene program director must verify that you will be graduating within 5 months.
CERT: Yes, you must have documentation of an active dental hygiene license. No, if you are in your last semester of a baccalaureate dental hygiene program. A letter from the dental hygiene program director must verify that you will be graduating within 5 months.
If you hold a Dental Hygiene license in another state, are there any other licensure requirements specific to the BSDH or Post-Bac Cert Programs?
Yes. If the applicant's dental hygiene license does not meet Minnesota dental hygiene licensure requirements, specifically with regard to the administration of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide inhalation sedation, the applicant will be required to complete continuing education (CE) courses to meet these requirements. Normandale Community College will offer these pain management CE courses. BSDH and Post-Bac Certificate students will be given priority admission. These courses must be completed prior to registration for the RF and/or Capstone courses.
Should I include recommendations letters and resume?
No, they are not considered at all.
What is the length of the BSDH degree completion program?
The BSDH program can be completed in two years as a part-time student, which includes summer term.
What is the length of the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program?
It will depend on your career goals and prior coursework in your bachelor degree program. Three courses from the certificate program will be required for the Masters program. They are:
DENH 310: Collaborative and Advanced Dental Hygiene Practice
DENH 320: Management of Oral Healthcare Delivery
DENH 420: Restorative Functions Theory and Lab
If an applicant has taken courses at other accredited colleges or continuing education courses that meet the competencies identified in DENH course listed above, the applicant may petition for course approval.
Note: These three courses are included in the BSDH and Post-Bac certificate programs.
When will admission decisions be made?
BSDH: May 15
CERT: December 15 (if seats are available) and May 15
Is there a special tuition rate?
Yes, nursing and dental hygiene students pay a somewhat higher fee per credit.
Are there any other program requirements or documentation needed once admitted?
Yes. Following program acceptance, students will complete two orientations - a general university session (in-person or online) and an in-person dental hygiene program orientation session where you will meet the other students, dental hygiene faculty and staff. Before classes start, you must submit documentation of your current dental hygiene license*, pain management and CPR certifications, professional liability insurance and an online background study must be completed. In addition, if you are taking the Dental Hygiene Capstone course, you must submit copies of your immunizations and have a PPD/Mantoux test done. (*A letter is needed from the Program Director if an applicant is within five months of graduation.)
Where and when will course be offered?
Metropolitan State University: General education/liberal study courses will be at either the St. Paul, Midway or Minneapolis campuses. Select courses are offered as independent study, online or in a web-enhanced or web-supported format.
Normandale Community College: The dental hygiene courses will be taught in a web-enhanced format. Regular monthly attendance will be required on campus (Friday and/or Saturday) for campus seminars that correspond to each course. The Restorative Functions Theory and Lab and Capstone courses require more campus time for labs, clinics and/or outreach setting assignments. A lab fee will be charged with the Restorative Functions course (currently $500).
Are there opportunities to further my education beyond the baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree?
Yes, a Masters of Science: Oral Health Care Practitioner Program (to be credentialed as an advanced practice dental hygienist) is pending and proposed to begin at Metropolitan State University in summer 2009. Stay tuned!
Where can I find out more information about the Masters of Science: Oral Health Care Practitioner Program?
You should attend one of the pre-admission information sessions, which begin in September 2009 and are held once a month. The first OHCP/ADHP class will begin the summer of 2009. For ADHP information, go to: http://www.adha.org
