The Dental Hygiene curriculum, which is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), leads to the Bachelor of Science degree, and consists of a total of four years of study with 120 college credit hours; two years of general education and prerequisite coursework followed by two years of professional study.  Upon completion, graduates are eligible for licensure to practice dental hygiene.

Dental Hygiene General Education & Prerequisite Requirements (56 credit hours)           

First Year Degree Map

    Fall Semester

• ENG    W131 Reading, Writing, and Inquiry I (3 cr.)
• PHSL   P130 Human Biology (4 cr.)
• SOC    S161 Principles of Sociology (3 cr.)
• MATH M100 Basic Mathematics (4 cr.)                   

       Total:  14 credit hours

     Spring Semester

• PSY   P101   Introductory Psychology (3 cr.)
• BIOL M200   Microorganism in Nature & Disease (4 cr.)
• CSCI  A106   Introduction to Computing OR C106 Intro. to Computers & Their Use (3 cr.)
• SPCH S121  Public Speaking (3 cr.)

       Total:  13 credit hours

    Second Year Degree Map

        Fall Semester

• PHSL  P261 Human Anatomy & Physiology I (4 cr.)
• ENG   W231 Professional Writing Skills (3 cr.)
• PBHL  P201 Urban Public Health (3 cr.)
• NURS  B215 Nutrition for Health Professionals (3 cr.)                      

       Total:  13 credit hours

       Spring Semester

• CHEM C110 Chemistry of Life (3 cr.)
• PHSL P262 Human Anatomy & Physiology II (4 cr.)                                                
• SPEA K300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.)
• Arts & Humanities Electives (6 cr.)

      Total:  16 credit hours

Dental Hygiene Professional Education Requirements (64 credit hours)

    Third Year Degree Map - Professional Program

     Fall Semester

• DHYG H205 Medical & Dental Emergencies (1 cr.)
• DHYG H211 Head & Neck Anatomy (2 cr.)
• DHYG H214 Oral Anatomy (3 cr.) 
• DHYG H217 Preventive Dentistry (2 cr.)
• DHYG H218 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene (4 cr.)        
• DHYG H303 Dental Radiology (3 cr.)         

       Total:  15 credit hours

       Spring Semester

• DHYG H204 Periodontics (1 cr.)
• DHYG H215 Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2 cr.)
• DHYG H219 Clinical Practice I (4 cr.)
• DHYG H224 Oral Histology & Embryology (1 cr.)
• DHYG H242 Introduction to Dentistry (1 cr.)
• DHYG H305 Radiology Clinic I (1 cr.)
• DHYG H308 Dental Materials (2 cr.)                         

       Total:  12 credit hours

        Summer I Session

• DHYG H220 Summer Radiology Clinic (1 cr.)
• DHYG H221 Clinical Dental Hygiene Procedures (3 cr.)         

       Total:  4 credit hours

    Fourth Year Degree Map - Professional Program

     Fall Semester

• DHYG H250 Local Anesthesia & Pain Control (2 cr.)
• DHYG H301 Clinical Practice II (5 cr.)
• DHYG H304 Oral Pathology (2 cr.)
• DHYG H306 Radiology Clinic II (1 cr.)
• DHYG H321 Periodontics II (2 cr.)
• DHYG H311 Dental Health Education (2 cr.)      

       Total:  14 credit hours

      Spring Semester

• DHYG H302 Clinical Practice III (5 cr.) 
• DHYG H307 Radiology Clinic III (1 cr.)
• DHYG H320 Ethics, Jurisprudence, & Practice Management (2 cr.)
• DHYG H344 Senior Hygiene Seminar (1 cr.)
• DHYG H347 Community Dental Health (3 cr.) 

       Total:  12 credit hours                                                     

     Summer I Session

• DHYG H402 Practicum in Dental Hygiene Education - Capstone (4 cr.)
• DHYG H405 Introduction to Healthcare Research (3 cr.) 

       Total:  7 credit hours

       Total of 120 credit hours