Graduate Programs
Ph.D. Program
Admissions
Description of Program
The Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD) Ph.D. in Dental and Oral Health Science degree program is focused on basic and clinical science areas as they relate to the human organism and on the effect of dental materials on cariology, molecular biology and etiology, and pathogenesis. Individuals with this type of training can be expected to pursue academic teaching and/or research positions in dental schools, medical schools and other science departments, in addition to training that will be suitable for industrial research positions. Individuals with combined D.D.S./Ph.D. training would be highly recruited to academic positions.
The Ph.D. program includes courses in biostatistics, research ethics, research communications and effective teaching methods. The course in biostatistics emphasizes the important role of appropriate statistical methods used in biological research. The research ethics course addresses the importance of a strong ethical approach to the scientific method and human and animal research. The research communication course is a multidisciplinary course that will increase the ability of the student to write and review scientific papers. The teaching methods course requirement recognizes that most of our students will ultimately teach in an academic environment and may have no previous coursework in education. In addition, students will be required to complete the Preparing Future Faculty and Professionals (PFFP) Program.
Research Capabilities
Indiana University School of Dentistry has significantly increased its commitment to research including external grant and contract support. In addition, several of our faculty have established jointly funded projects with faculty in the Indiana University School of Medicine and the School of Engineering along with joint academic appointments for teaching purposes. Multidisciplinary approaches are highly valued at Indiana University School of Dentistry. This heavy research emphasis from our faculty has recently led to significant increases in faculty commitment to research, released time for research and recruitment of research-oriented faculty. Since 1993, Indiana University School of Dentistry has completely renovated numerous research laboratories into state-of-the-art facilities that are occupied by funded investigators.
Student Population
The Ph.D. in Dental and Oral Health Science degree program is open to dental school graduates with a minimum dental school GPA of 3.0/4.0 (as well as individuals with a B.S. degree) and a minimum GRE score of 600 in either the verbal, quantitative or analytical sections. In addition, a TOEFL score of no lower than 550 must be obtained for applicants from non-English speaking countries.
Program Requirements
All general requirements of the Indiana University Indianapolis Graduate School Bulletin apply plus specific requirements of this program, as outlined in the core curricula.
Enrollment and Financial Support
Enrollment in the Ph.D. degree program is limited with respect to the number of appropriate faculty available to serve as research mentors. In general, an average ratio of one student to one graduate faculty member is recommended.
Acceptance criteria includes applicants being ranked by grade point averages, GRE scores, previous research experience, and research publications as well as screening interviews. Financial support is primarily the responsibility of the student. However, several fellowships may be available.
Time Limits and Revalidation
All Ph.D. work offered in partial fulfillment of degree requirements must either have been completed within seven consecutive calendar years of the passing of the qualifying examination or be revalidated.
Any student whose candidacy lapses will be required to apply to the Indiana University Indianapolis Graduate School for reinstatement before further work toward the degree may formally be done. To be reinstated to candidacy in the Indiana University Indianapolis Graduate School, the student must complete the following:
- Obtain the permission of the program director.
- Fulfill the program requirements in effect at the time of the application for reinstatement.
- Pass the current Ph.D. qualifying examination or its equivalent (defined in advance).
- Request reinstatement to candidacy from the dean. Such reinstatement, if granted, will be valid for a period of three years, during which time the candidate must enroll each semester for a minimum of one credit hour.
In the fifth semester, students meet with their examination committee to review past performance and to evaluate plans for completing the Ph.D., including the written, oral, and research components. All full-time Ph.D. students must take the qualifying examination by the end of the fifth semester.
Satisfactory Progress Toward a Degree
After passing the qualifying examination, for a student to remain in “good standing”, the Ph.D. program requires that sufficient progress
Continuing Enrollment
Students who have passed the qualifying examination must enroll each semester (excluding summer sessions) for any remaining required
A candidate who will be graduating in June, July, or August of any year must enroll in a minimum of 1 hour of credit in either the current or immediately preceding summer session.
Learn more about Indiana University School of Dentistry's Ph.D. degree program and review the tuition and fees, degree requirements, and curriculum.
Updated April 2025