The University of New Mexico

Graduate Program

The Division of Dental Hygiene currently offers one graduate program:

  1. A Master of Science in Dental Hygiene degree program.

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 Degree Program Requirements

The Master of Science in Dental Hygiene 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 5 students. In addition to tuition, housing, books and other usual school expenses will 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.

Plan I: Thesis Option  
Semester 1    
DEHY 510 Dental Hygiene Research 3
DEHY 502 Instructional Strategies 3
DEHY 505 Clinical Teach/Admin 3
Semester 2    
DEHY 500 Current Issues 3
DEHY 501 Dental Hygiene Manag/Admin 3
DEHY 503 Oral Medicine 3
Semester 3    
DEHY 599 Thesis 3
STAT 579 Selected Topics in Stats 3
Semester 4    
DEHY 504 Dental Hygiene Internship 6
DEHY 599 Thesis 3
  TOTAL 34
Plan II: Nonthesis Specialty  
Semester 1    
DEHY 510 Dental Hygiene Research 3
DEHY 502 Instructional Strategies 3
DEHY 505 Clinical Teach/Admin 4
Semester 2    
DEHY 500 Current Issues 3
DEHY 501 Dental Hygiene Manag/Admin 3
DEHY 503 Oral Medicine 3
Semester 3    
DEHY 560 Non-Thesis Project 3
STAT 579 Selected Topics in Stats 3
  (Graduate Course from Specialty) 3
Semester 4    
DEHY 504 Dental Hygiene 6
  (Graduate Course from Specialty) 3
  TOTAL 37
  * Satisfactory completion of Master's Exam mandatory for graduation  
Plan II: Nonthesis Dental Hygiene Practitioner Option  
Semester 1    
DEHY 510 Dental Hygiene Research 3
DEHY 502 Instructional Strategies 3
DEHY 505 Clinical Teach/Admin 4
Semester 2    
DEHY 500 Current Issues 3
DEHY 501 Dental Hygiene Manag/Admin 3
DEHY 503 Oral Medicine 3
Semester 3    
DEHY 561 Advanced Dental Hygiene Clinic 6
STAT 579 Selected Topics in Stats 3
Semester 4    
DEHY 504 Dental Hygiene Internship 6
DEHY 562 Primary Dental Care 3
  TOTAL 37
  *Satisfactory completion of Master's Exam mandatory for graduation  

Admission Requirements

Formal admission to The University 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 will recommend acceptance to the program. The Office of Graduate Studies will offer final determination of admissions. The following documents must be submitted to the Division of Dental Hygiene for admittance to the program:

  1. Application to the Office of Graduate Studies.
  2. Application to the Division of Dental Hygiene.
  3. Photocopy of the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination results.
  4. Possession of a bachelor degree in dental hygiene or a related field and, in the latter case have completed an accredited certificate or associate program in Dental Hygiene. Proof should
    be provided by official college transcripts.
  5. Evidence of an undergraduate overall quality point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  6. Three letters of recommendation.
  7. Interview with Admissions Committee.

Deadline: Both applications are due no later than April 15th. Early admission due date is January 31. Those applicants who are provisionally selected will be notified in May. All applicants will be notified of their admission status. Selection will be 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.

Graduation Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all graduate courses.
  2. 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.
  3. Students must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher.
  4. Student must complete the Master’s Examination and/or Thesis Requirement.
  5. All work toward a Master degree including transferred course work must be completed within a seven-year period.
  6. Students must inform their graduate unit and the Office of 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.
  7. Unanimous recommendation for graduation by the full-time faculty of the Division of Dental Hygiene and School of Medicine.

Courses

DEHY 205. Introduction to Dental Hygiene. (2)


DEHY 210. Head and Neck Anatomy. (2)


DEHY 250. Gen/Oral Hist and Embrey. (2)


DEHY 301. Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture I. (3)


DEHY 302. Clinical Dental Hygiene I. (2)


DEHY 303. Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture II. (3)


DEHY 304. Clinical Dental Hygiene II. (3)


DEHY 312. Dental Radiology/Lab. (3)


DEHY 320. Dental Bio-Materials. (2)


DEHY 330. Dental Health Education I. (2)


DEHY 335. Dental Office Emergencies. (2)


DEHY 340. General and Oral Pathology. (3)


DEHY 360. Pharmacology. (3)


DEHY 370. Special Care in Dental Hygiene. (2)


DEHY 400 / 500. Current Issues in Dental Hygiene. (3)


DEHY 401. Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture III. (2)


DEHY 402. Clinical Dental Hygiene III. (3)


DEHY 403. Clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture IV. (2)


DEHY 404. Clinical Dental Hygiene IV. (4)


DEHY 407. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 9 ∆)


DEHY 410 / 510. Dental Hygiene Research Methodology. (3)


DEHY 422. Dental Public Health I. (3)


DEHY 423. Dental Public Health II. (1)


DEHY 440. Extramural Experience. (1-6 to a maximum of 9 ∆)


DEHY 442. Principles of Practice. (2)


DEHY 470. Periodontology I. (3)


DEHY 475. Periodontology II. (2)


DEHY 480. Local Anesthesia and Pain Control. (3)


DEHY 500 / 400. Current Issues in Dental Hygiene. (3)


DEHY 501. Dental Hygiene Administration. (3)


DEHY 502. Dental Hygiene Instructional Strategies. (3)


DEHY 503. Oral Medicine. (3)


DEHY 504. Dental Hygiene Internship. (1-6 to a maximum of 6 ∆)


DEHY 505. Clinical Teaching and Administration. (4)


DEHY 507. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 ∆)


DEHY 510 / 410. Dental Hygiene Research Methodology. (3)


DEHY 560. Nonthesis Project. (3)


DEHY 561. Advanced Dental Hygiene Clinic. (6)


DEHY 562. Primary Dental Care. (3)


DEHY 599. Dental Hygiene Thesis. (1-6, no limit ∆ [3, no limit ∆])


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Office of the Registrar

MSC 11 6325
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

Phone: (505) 277-8900
 Fax: (505) 277-6809