Accelerated R.D.H. to Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene/Master of Science in Health Studies

This program provides exceptional undergraduate R.D.H. to B.S.D.H. majors an avenue toward accelerated completion of a Master's degree in Health Studies with an emphasis in Dental Hygiene. Students in the program complete 6 semester credit hours (SCH) of graduate coursework during their final 12 SCH of undergraduate coursework that will count toward both their B.S. in Dental Hygiene and M.S. in Health Studies degrees.

Marketable Skills

Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."

  1. Utilize critical thinking skills to apply evidence-based dental hygiene implementation measures and evaluate patient outcomes utilizing professional values and ethical principles.
  2. Evaluate and analyze scientific literature as a basis for evidence-based practice.
  3. Apply leadership skills for professional growth in clinical and alternative practice settings.

 Admissions

All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements.

All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements.

Application Deadlines

Fall: May 1

Spring: October 1

Admission Requirements

To apply to the program, students must

  • Be enrolled in the R.D.H. to B.S. in Dental Hygiene program at TWU.
  • Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
  • Have a minimum of 12 hours remaining in courses toward the major.

How to Apply

Students interested in applying to the accelerated program are encouraged to contact the R.D.H. to B.S.D.H. Program Mentor prior to applying.

  • Complete the R.D.H. to B.S.D.H./M.S. Health Studies Accelerated program application
    • Applicants must submit the following materials:
      • A one-page personal statement letter indicating the reasons for pursuing a master's degree
      • Professional resume indicating academic background and relevant experience for graduate study
      • The names and email addresses of two faculty and/or employers who will provide recommendations for graduate school
  • Once admitted by the program, apply to the Graduate School. Students cannot enroll in graduate-level coursework until accepted by the Graduate School.
    • Apply for admission to the M.S. in Health Studies Dental Hygiene emphasis program
      • NOTE: the start date indicated on the graduate application must be for the semester following graduation from the bachelor's degree.

Accelerated Undergraduate-Graduate Program Policy Guidelines

Students may apply to an approved accelerated degree program once they have completed at least 60 undergraduate semester credit hours. Upon admission to an accelerated program, students may enroll in graduate courses for credit once they have attained at least 72 undergraduate semester credit hours. Approved courses will apply to both an undergraduate and a graduate degree.

Conditions

  • Up to 12 SCH of designated graduate courses may apply to both the Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree program comprised of 45 or fewer SCH; and up to 15 graduate SCH may apply toward both an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree program comprised of more than 45 SCH (Master’s, Specialist or Doctoral degree.)
  • Undergraduate students may enroll in no more than 6 SCH of graduate coursework in each semester or term.
  • No undergraduate-level course may count toward a graduate degree.
  • Minimal criteria for admission will include a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Academic components may set higher requirements for their program.
  • Once admitted to an accelerated program, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the remainder of their baccalaureate degree, or their admission to the accelerated graduate program may be revoked. Academic components may set additional requirements for their programs.
  • Prior to applying to an accelerated degree program, students must have completed a minimum of 15 semester credit hours at Texas Woman's University.

Graduate Application Process

All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.

This academic program may have additional graduate admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the graduate program's website.

Degree Requirements

Total Semester Credit Hours (SCH): 120

Major: 18 SCH

Program Code:     CIP Code: 51.06

Texas Core Curriculum

ENG 1013Composition I3
ENG 1023Composition II3
Mathematics3
Life & Physical Sciences6
Language, Philosophy, & Culture3
Creative Arts3
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-18653
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present3
POLS 2013U.S. National Government3
POLS 2023Texas Government3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
CAO: Women's Studies3
CAO: First Year Seminar, Wellness or Mathematics3
Total SCHs42

Courses Required for Major

Entry-level Dental Hygiene coursework transferred from AAS DH program90
Electives12
DH 3843Introduction to Process of Care for Early Entry RDH to BSDH3
or DH 3303 Process of Care for the Registered Dental Hygienist
DH 4713Applied Evidence-based Research3
DH 4823Dental Hygiene Clinical Case Study Development3
DH 4833Professional Development for the Registered Dental Hygienist3
HS 5723Health Care in a Culture of Poverty3
HS 5763Alternative Dental Health Careers3
Total SCHs120

Recommended Plan of Study

The plan of study varies for each student depending on the courses transferred in, but each plan must include the following Dental Hygiene courses: 

First Year
FallTCCNSCHs
DH 3843
or 3303
Introduction to Process of Care for Early Entry RDH to BSDH
or Process of Care for the Registered Dental Hygienist
3
HS 5763Alternative Dental Health Careers 3
HS 5723Health Care in a Culture of Poverty 3
DH 4713Applied Evidence-based Research 3
DH 4823Dental Hygiene Clinical Case Study Development 3
DH 4833Professional Development for the Registered Dental Hygienist 3
 SCHs 18
 Total SCHs:  18