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Program Admission

How to Apply

  • Make sure you meet the prerequisites and admission requirements as stated below before applying.
  • Submit an application to the USI Dental Hygiene Program by February 1 of the calendar year you desire admission to the program.

Dental Hygiene Admission Requirements

Admission to the Dental Hygiene Program is determined through a selective process and is limited to 24 students each academic year. The student's grade point average in the required prerequisite courses determines the admission ranking. Candidates for the program must be eligible for dental hygiene licensure and capable of fulfilling clinical practice requirements. 

To be considered for admission to the dental hygiene program, students must complete the following requirements:

Acceptance to the University of Southern Indiana. 

  • To apply to the University, submit an admission application to the USI Office of Admissions. Dental Hygiene applications will be considered for admission after the student has applied and been accepted to the University.

Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8 (4.0 scale).

  • All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to beginning the Dental Hygiene professional curriculum.
  • All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. 

Candidates for admission must be capable of fulfilling clinical practice requirements.

Required Courses

Semester I

  • MATH 114 - Quantitative Reasoning Credits: 3
  • CMST 101 - Introduction to Public Speaking Credits: 3 or
    CMST 107 - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3
  • BIOL 121 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
    ENG 101 - Rhetoric and Composition I: Literacy and the Self Credits: 3
    KIN 192 - Concepts in Wellness and Fitness Credits: 1
    UNIV 101 - First Year Experience Credits: 1

Semester II

  • Selected Ways of Knowing (not considered in the admission GPA)
  • BIOL 122 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4
    ENG 201 - Rhetoric and Composition II: Literacy and the World Credits: 3
    HP 115 - Medical Terminology for the Health Professions Credits: 2
    SOC 121 - Principles of Sociology Credits: 3
    Selected Ways of Knowing (CAE, HI, or WLC) Credits: 3

Semester III

  • PSY 201, NUTR 376, and Elective (not considered in the admission GPA)
  • CHEM 141 - Principles of Chemistry Credits: 4
    HP 225 - Pharmacology and Therapeutics Credits: 3
    NUTR 376 - Principles and Applications in Nutrition Credits: 3
    PSY 201 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
    Elective Credits: 2

Semester IV

  • IPH 356, HP 302, World Languages and Cultures, and Elective (not considered in admission GPA)
  • BIOL 272 - Medical Microbiology Credits: 4
    HP 302 - Biostatistics Credits: 3
    IPH 356 - Ethics and Healthcare in a Pluralistic Society Credits: 3
    World Language and Culture (BS) Credits: 3
    Elective Credits: 2
  • Completion of the USI Core 39 or its equivalent
  • HP 302 - Biostatistics Credits: 3
  • DTHY 401 - Clinical Management I Credits: 3
  • DTHY 402 - Clinical Management II Credits: 3
  • DTHY 457 - Professional and Current Issues in Oral Healthcare Credits: 3
  • Nine (9) hours of electives chosen from HA, HP, GERO, or PH courses
  • Completion of an accredited Associate Degree Dental Hygiene Program (60 hours)

Summer I

  • Courses to be taken the summer before a student’s first full academic year at USI.
  • ENG 101 - Rhetoric and Composition I: Literacy and the Self Credits: 3
  • CMST 101 - Introduction to Public Speaking Credits: 3 or
    CMST 107 - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3
  • HP 115 - Medical Terminology for the Health Professions Credits: 2
  • KIN 192 - Concepts in Wellness and Fitness Credits: 1

Semester I

  • MATH 114 - Quantitative Reasoning Credits: 3
    (Will accept MATH 111)
  • BIOL 121 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
  • CHEM 141 - Principles of Chemistry Credits: 4
  • ENG 201 - Rhetoric and Composition II: Literacy and the World Credits: 3
  • UNIV 101 - First Year Experience Credits: 1

Semester II

  • BIOL 122 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4
  • BIOL 272 - Medical Microbiology Credits: 4
  • HP 225 - Pharmacology and Therapeutics Credits: 3
  • SOC 121 - Principles of Sociology Credits: 3
  • World Language and Culture (BS WLS) Credits: 3
  • Admission Decision Here - Candidate notified by June 1

Summer 2

Courses to be taken after a student’s first full academic year at USI. Courses must be completed prior to beginning professional courses in the dental hygiene program but are not considered in the dental hygiene admission GPA.

  • PSY 201 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
  • NUTR 376 - Principles and Applications in Nutrition Credits: 3
  • HP 302 - Biostatistics Credits: 3

Important Announcement

Starting in the Fall 2023 Semester, BIOL 272 Medical Microbiology must be completed as a 4-hour course. This will immediately impact the upcoming application cycle for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Additional Expenses

Students who are accepted into the program will incur $8,000 of additional costs beyond tuition, textbooks and housing.

  • Prior to the start of the first semester in the program, students are required to purchase an instrument kit, valued at approximately $5,500. Financial aid can be used to purchase this kit from the USI Campus Store.
  • Throughout the program, students can expect to spend approximately $2,000 for licensure examinations.
  • Students purchase their own uniforms, clinic supplies and professional association membership dues.

For more information about tuition, fees and other costs, visit our Financial Aid Cost of Attendance page.