Graduate Program

Degree Offered

Master of Science in Dental Hygiene (M.S.)

Dental hygienists are licensed preventive oral health professionals who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services in dental care. Career opportunities for hygienists are available in a variety of settings, including private dental practices, community dental health clinics, public schools, clinical and basic science research laboratories, state and federal health facilities and management positions. Licensure by national and state examination is required.

Master of Science in Dental Hygiene

The Master of Science in Dental Hygiene (M.S.) degree program follows a required four semester graduate level curriculum, which begins each year during the fall semester. Resources limit each class size to no more than 10 students. In addition to tuition, housing, books and other usual school expenses apply. Fees are subject to change on a yearly basis. Students are responsible for transportation fees to and from externships at off campus sites. The program can be completed online.

Admission Requirements

Formal admission to UNM is an initial requirement for admission to the Master of Science Degree Program in Dental Hygiene. Applications for graduate admission are available from the Division of Dental Hygiene, University of New Mexico. The Division of Dental Hygiene recommends acceptance to the program. Graduate Studies offers final determination of admissions. The following documents must be submitted to the Division of Dental Hygiene for admittance to the program:

Application to Graduate Studies.
Application to the Division of Dental Hygiene.
Photocopy of the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination results.
Proof of a bachelor degree in dental hygiene or a related field and in the latter case proof of having completed an accredited, by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and a regional accrediting agency, certificate or associate program in Dental Hygiene. Proof should be provided by official college transcripts.
Evidence of an undergraduate overall quality point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Three letters of recommendation.
Interview with Admissions Committee.
A copy of a current American dental hygiene license.
A $100 application fee paid to the Division of Dental Hygiene must accompany the completed application (checks or money orders only).

Deadline: Both applications are due no later than April 15th. Early admission due date is January 31. Those applicants who are provisionally selected are notified in May. All applicants are notified of their admission status. Selection is given to qualified persons regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, age, qualified disability or military involvement. Equal opportunity for admission is given to all qualified applicants.

Advisement sessions are available from the Division of Dental Hygiene.

Call the office at (505) 272-8147 for an appointment.

Program Requirements

		Credit Hours
Plan I:	Thesis Option
Semester 1
DEHY 502	Dental Hygiene Instructional Strategies	3
DEHY 505	Clinical Teaching and Administration	3
DEHY 510	Dental Hygiene Research Methodology	3
Semester 2
DEHY 501	Dental Hygiene Administration	3
DEHY 503	Oral Medicine	3
DEHY 538	Statistics in Dental Hygiene Research	3
Semester 3
DEHY 500	Current Issues in Dental Hygiene	3
DEHY 599	Dental Hygiene Thesis	3
Semester 4
DEHY 504	Dental Hygiene Internship	6
DEHY 599	Dental Hygiene Thesis	3
	Total	34
Plan II:	Nonthesis Specialty
Semester 1
DEHY 502	Dental Hygiene Instructional Strategies	3
DEHY 505	Clinical Teaching and Administration	4
DEHY 510	Dental Hygiene Research Methodology	3
Semester 2
DEHY 501	Dental Hygiene Administration	3
DEHY 503	Oral Medicine	3
DEHY 538	Statistics in Dental Hygiene Research	3
Semester 3
DEHY 500	Current Issues in Dental Hygiene	3
DEHY 560	Nonthesis Project	3
	(Graduate Course from Specialty)	3
Semester 4
DEHY 504	Dental Hygiene Internship	6
	(Graduate Course from Specialty)	3
	Total	37
Plan II:	Nonthesis Dental Hygiene Practitioner Option
Semester 1
DEHY 502	Dental Hygiene Instructional Strategies	3
DEHY 505	Clinical Teaching and Administration	4
DEHY 510	Dental Hygiene Research Methodology	3
Semester 2
DEHY 500	Current Issues in Dental Hygiene	3
DEHY 501	Dental Hygiene Administration	3
DEHY 503	Oral Medicine	3
Semester 3
DEHY 538	Statistics in Dental Hygiene Research	3
DEHY 561	Advanced Dental Hygiene Clinic	6
Semester 4
DEHY 504	Dental Hygiene Internship	6
DEHY 562	Primary Dental Care	3
	Total	37

NOTE: Satisfactory completion of the Master's Exam is mandatory for graduation.

Graduation Requirements

Satisfactory completion of all graduate courses.
Students who have completed graduate-level course work(at a B level or higher) at an accredited institution other than UNM may apply for the credit(s) to be transferred.
Students must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher.
Student must complete the Master’s Examination and/or Thesis Requirement.
All work toward a Master's degree including transferred course work must be completed within a seven-year period.
Students must inform their graduate unit and Graduate Studies in writing of their intention to graduate at the end of a particular semester by submitting a “Notification of Intent to
Graduate” form.
Unanimous recommendation for graduation by the full-time faculty of the Division of Dental Hygiene and School of Medicine.