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."
- Utilize critical thinking skills to apply evidence-based dental hygiene implementation measures and evaluate patient outcomes utilizing professional values and ethical principles.
- Evaluate and analyze scientific literature as a basis for evidence-based practice.
- Apply leadership skills for professional growth in clinical and alternative practice settings.
Admissions
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
- Applicants must submit the following materials:
- 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.
- Apply for admission to the M.S. in Health Studies Dental Hygiene emphasis program
Accelerated Graduate Program Policy Guidelines
Students may apply to the accelerated graduate degree program once they have attained advanced junior standing with at least 72 undergraduate semester credit hours (SCH). Upon admission to an accelerated program, students with senior standing (90 earned SCH) may enroll in graduate courses for credit. Approved courses will apply to both an undergraduate and a graduate degree.
Conditions
- Undergraduate students may enroll in no more than 6 SCH of graduate coursework in each semester or term.
- Minimal criteria for admission will include a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. The program may set higher GPA requirements as outlined on their TWU graduate program website at the time of graduate application.
- 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.
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
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 1013 | Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 1023 | Composition II | 3 |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Life & Physical Sciences | 6 | |
| Language, Philosophy, & Culture | 3 | |
| Creative Arts | 3 | |
| HIST 1013 | History of the United States, 1492-1865 | 3 |
| HIST 1023 | History of the United States, 1865 to the Present | 3 |
| POLS 2013 | U.S. National Government | 3 |
| POLS 2023 | Texas Government | 3 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| CAO: Women's Studies | 3 | |
| CAO: First Year Seminar, Wellness or Mathematics | 3 | |
| Total SCHs | 42 | |
Courses Required for Major
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level Dental Hygiene coursework transferred from AAS DH program | 90 | |
| Electives | 12 | |
| DH 3843 | Introduction to Process of Care for Early Entry RDH to BSDH | 3 |
| or DH 3303 | Process of Care for the Registered Dental Hygienist | |
| DH 4713 | Applied Evidence-based Research | 3 |
| DH 4823 | Dental Hygiene Clinical Case Study Development | 3 |
| DH 4833 | Professional Development for the Registered Dental Hygienist | 3 |
| HS 5723 | Health Care in a Culture of Poverty | 3 |
| HS 5763 | Alternative Dental Health Careers | 3 |
| Total SCHs | 120 | |
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | TCCN | SCHs | |
| 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 5763 | Alternative Dental Health Careers | 3 | |
| HS 5723 | Health Care in a Culture of Poverty | 3 | |
| DH 4713 | Applied Evidence-based Research | 3 | |
| DH 4823 | Dental Hygiene Clinical Case Study Development | 3 | |
| DH 4833 | Professional Development for the Registered Dental Hygienist | 3 | |
| SCHs | 18 | ||
| Total SCHs: | 18 | ||
