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Program Admission

How to Apply

  • Make sure you meet the prerequisites and admission requirements as stated below before applying.
  • Submit an application to the USI Dental Hygiene Program by February 1 of the calendar year you desire admission to the program.

Dental Hygiene Admission Requirements

Admission to the Dental Hygiene Program is determined through a selective process and is limited to 24 students each academic year. The student's grade point average in the required prerequisite courses determines the admission ranking. The 24 candidates with the highest grade point average in the required prerequisite courses are offered admission.

To be considered for admission to the dental hygiene program, students must complete the following requirements:

Acceptance to the University of Southern Indiana. 

  • To apply to the University, submit an admission application to the USI Office of Admissions.
  • Dental Hygiene applications will be considered for admission after the student has applied and been accepted to the University.

Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum grade point average of 2.8 (4.0 scale) in those courses.

  • All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to beginning the Dental Hygiene professional curriculum.
  • All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. 

Candidates for admission must be capable of fulfilling clinical practice requirements.

Required Courses

Semester I

  • MATH 114 - Quantitative Reasoning (3 credits) or MATH 111 - College Algebra (3 credits)
  • CMST 101 - Introduction to Public Speaking (3 credits) or CMST 107 - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
  • BIOL 121 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
  • ENG 101 - Rhetoric and Composition I: Literacy and the Self (3 credits)
  • KIN 192 - Concepts in Wellness and Fitness (1 credit)
  • UNIV 101 - First Year Experience (1 credits)

Semester II

  • BIOL 122 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
  • ENG 201 - Rhetoric and Composition II: Literacy and the World (3 credits)
  • HP 115 - Medical Terminology for the Health Professions (2 credits)
  • SOC 121 - Principles of Sociology (3 credits)
  • Selected Ways of Knowing - CAE, HI or WLC (3 credits)*

Semester III

  • CHEM 141 - Principles of Chemistry (4 credits)
  • HP 225 - Pharmacology and Therapeutics (3 credits)
  • NUTR 376 - Principles and Applications in Nutrition (3 credits)*
  • PSY 201 - Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)*
  • Elective (2 credits)*

Semester IV

  • BIOL 272 - Medical Microbiology (4 credits)
  • HP 302 - Biostatistics (3 credits)*
  • IPH 356 - Ethics and Healthcare in a Pluralistic Society (3 credits)*
  • World Language and Culture - BS (3 credits)
  • Elective (2 credits)*

* Not considered in admission GPA

  • Completion of the USI Core 39 or its equivalent
  • HP 302 - Biostatistics (3 credits)
  • DTHY 401 - Clinical Management I (3 credits)
  • DTHY 402 - Clinical Management II (3 credits)
  • DTHY 457 - Professional and Current Issues in Oral Healthcare (3 credits)
  • Nine (9) hours of electives chosen from HA, HP, GERO or PH courses
  • Completion of an accredited Associate Degree Dental Hygiene Program (60 hours)

Summer I

  • ENG 101 - Rhetoric and Composition I: Literacy and the Self (3 credits)
  • CMST 101 - Introduction to Public Speaking (3 credits) or CMST 107 - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
  • HP 115 - Medical Terminology for the Health Professions (2 credits)
  • KIN 192 - Concepts in Wellness and Fitness (1 credit)

Semester I

  • MATH 114 - Quantitative Reasoning (3 credits) or MATH 111 - College Algebra (3 credits)
  • BIOL 121 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
  • CHEM 141 - Principles of Chemistry (4 credits)
  • ENG 201 - Rhetoric and Composition II: Literacy and the World (3 credits)
  • UNIV 101 - First Year Experience (1 credit)

Semester II

  • BIOL 122 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
  • BIOL 272 - Medical Microbiology (4 credits)
  • HP 225 - Pharmacology and Therapeutics (3 credits)
  • SOC 121 - Principles of Sociology (3 credits)
  • World Language and Culture - BS WLS (3 credits)

Summer 2

Courses to be taken after a student’s first full academic year at USI. Courses must be completed prior to beginning professional courses in the dental hygiene program but are not considered in the dental hygiene admission GPA.

  • PSY 201 - Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
  • NUTR 376 - Principles and Applications in Nutrition (3 credits)
  • HP 302 - Biostatistics (3 credits)
  • IPH 356 - Ethics and Healthcare in a Pluralistic Society (3 credits)
  • Ways of Knowing - CAE, HI or WLC (3 credits)
  • Elective (5 credits)

Additional Expenses

Students who are accepted into the program will incur $8,000 of additional costs beyond tuition, textbooks and housing.

  • Prior to the start of the first semester in the program, students are required to purchase an instrument kit, valued at approximately $5,500. Financial aid can be used to purchase this kit from the USI Campus Store.
  • Throughout the program, students can expect to spend approximately $2,000 for licensure examinations.
  • Students purchase their own uniforms, clinic supplies and professional association membership dues.

For more information about tuition, fees and other costs, visit our Financial Aid Cost of Attendance page. 

Connect With
Dental Hygiene

Mrs. Emily Holt
Mrs. Emily Holt
(812) 461-5395