Registered Dental Hygienist—Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Completion | RDH—BSDH

The RDH–to–BSDH Degree Completion Pathway is designed for licensed dental hygiene professionals with an associate degree or partial bachelor’s coursework. This program offers a broad educational experience to help students pursue professional interests and expand career options beyond entry-level clinical practice.

The program is flexible, allowing students to explore their strengths and passions while working toward a bachelor’s degree. Students can choose an exploratory plan covering all professional roles of a hygienist, such as educator, researcher, public health advocate, administrator, or entrepreneur, or opt for a focused pathway that delves deeper into a specific role. As the oral health industry evolves, coursework options continue to grow. In the final semester, students participate in a mentored immersive learning experience in a professional hygienist role to build their resume, network, and confidence as leaders in the dental hygiene field.

Students may complete the program entirely online, on campus, or through a combination of both. Online options provide flexibility for students balancing education with other commitments or living far from campus, while in-person courses allow for engagement with the campus community.

Admission Information

Interested students must first apply and be accepted to IU South Bend as pre-dental hygiene completion program students. On the IU South Bend application, under the "Academic Goals" section, students should select the Pre-Dental Hygiene Completion option as their intended major.

Once admitted to IU South Bend, students can apply to the RDH–to–BSDH Completion Program through an online application on the Dental Education website. After reviewing the application, verifying eligibility, and ensuring RDH licensure is in good standing, the program coordinator will contact applicants with next steps or an official acceptance notification.

Students are encouraged to reach out to the RDH–BSDH Completion Program coordinator before applying to address any questions about the program or application process.

Additional Academic Requirements

• A minimum of 30 credit hours must be completed at the 300–or 400–level
• A minimum of 30 credit hours must be completed at IU South Bend.
• The majority of these credit hours must be completed after admission to the program.
• A maximum of 30 credit hours may be applied toward the degree for successful completion of external examinations such as AP, CLEP, DSST, and Excelsior University (UExcel). Credit awarded based on external exams is considered transfer credit.
• Additional transfer credit may be applied toward the degree for prior learning such as 1) noncollegiate or company-sponsored training programs as recommended and certified by the American Council on Education (ACE) or the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) and 2) educational experiences gained during military service by submitting the Joint Services Transcript to Admissions
• IU special credits may be applied toward the degree by passing certain university departmental examinations
• Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all required courses and maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.5

Degree Requirements 

Students on the RDH-to-BSDH Degree Completion pathway to receive the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree must complete 120 credits including the following. All courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise indicated.

• IU South Bend Campus General Education Curriculum (33 cr.)
• Major Coursework (13-15 cr.)
• Free Electives, Credit for Prior Learning, and Bridge Coursework (72-74 cr.)

Major Coursework (13-15 cr.)

• DHYG-E 443 Public Health Education Methods; OR
  Clinical educator focused coursework
• DHYG-H 400 Evidence-Based Decision Making; OR
  AHSC-H 340 Research in the Health Sciences (with prior approval)
• DHYG-H 444 Bachelor Degree Capstone Course (1-3 cr.)
• HSC-W 314 Ethics and Health Professionals
  May count for Campuswide General Education Curriculum
• HSC-H 101 Introduction to Health Sciences
• HSC-H 322 Epidemiology and Biostatistics
  May count for Campuswide General Education Curriculum
• HSC-H 101 Introduction to Health Sciences

Free Electives, Credit for Prior Learning, and Bridge Coursework (72-74 cr.)

• Students are encouraged to select electives to fulfill minor requirements and/or satisfy professional interests. Coursework must be evaluated for alignment with student professional goals and approved by program administrator prior to enrollment. Role specific suggested coursework:

Educator (13-15 cr.)

• Pathway under development at the time of bulletin submission. See program website/contact program administrator for updates and details

Public Health (26 cr.)

• AHSC-C 430 Environmental Health
• AHSC-H 330 Intercultural Health Communication (6 cr.)
• AHSC-H 480 Healthcare Grant Writing and Internship (6 cr.)
• DHYG-H 403 Advanced Community Dental Hygiene (2 Cr.)
• DHYG-H 412 Global Health
• HSC-H 327 Introduction to Public and Community Health
  May count for Campuswide General Education Curriculum
• HSC-H 101 Introduction to Health Sciences
• HSC-H 434 Diversity and Cultural Competence

Health Administration

• AHSC-A 420 Healthcare Finance (6 cr.)
• AHSC-A 430 Supervision and Resource Management for Health Professional (6 cr.)
• AHSC-A 440 Health Care Administration and Strategic Planning (6 cr.)
• AHSC-H 302 Essentials of the Healthcare Delivery Systems
• AHSC-H 303 Leadership and Management in Healthcare
• AHSC-H 310 Health Policy, Ethics, and Legal Issues (6 cr.)
• AHSC-H 350 Economics of Health Care