The University of New Mexico

Graduate Program

Degree Offered

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

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Dental Hygiene program is intended to develop dental hygienists to teach and develop dental health programs in a variety of settings, conduct research, and provide care as collaborative dental hygiene practitioners throughout the country. The purpose of this program is to educate students by developing their intellectual and creative skills and capabilities so students may be well-equipped to participate in the world as productive and enlightened individuals.

Master of Science in Dental Hygiene

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Dental Hygiene program follows a four-semester graduate-level curriculum, which begins each year during the fall, spring, or summer semester. Students have the option to enroll on a full- or part-time basis. The program is completed online. The M.S. in Dental Hygiene is offered under Plan I (thesis) and Plan II (non-thesis) options according to the general requirements as specified in the Graduate Program section of this Catalog. 

Admission Requirements

Formal admission to UNM is an initial requirement for admission to the M.S. in Dental Hygiene. Application for the program is available through the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and must be submitted through the ADEA Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service (DHCAS). The Division of Dental Hygiene recommends acceptance to the program. Graduate Studies offers final determination of admission. The following documentation must be submitted with the program ADEA DHCAS application:

  1. Application to Graduate Studies.
  2. A copy of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination score.
  3. Proof of a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene or a related field. In the latter case, proof of having completed a certificate or associate dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and a regional accrediting agency is required. Proof should be provided by official college transcripts.
  4. Evidence of an undergraduate overall quality point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  5. Three letters of recommendation.
  6. Interview with Admissions Committee.
  7. A copy of a current American dental hygiene license.
  8. Application fee, payable on the Division of Dental Hygiene Web site.

Deadline: Admission to the M.S. program is rolling, with three application cycles per year. 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. For the next admissions deadline, visit the Division of Dental Hygiene Web site.

Advisement sessions are available from the Division of Dental Hygiene. Call the office at (505) 272-8147 for an appointment.

Degree Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all courses as listed below.
  2. Students who have completed graduate-level coursework (at a grade of "B" 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 Thesis and/or Master’s Examination.
  5. All work toward a Master's degree including transferred coursework must be completed within a seven-year period.
  6. 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.
  7. Unanimous recommendation for graduation by the full-time faculty of the Division of Dental Hygiene and School of Medicine.

Plan I: Thesis

Credit
Hours
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 3
DEHY 599 Dental Hygiene Thesis 3
  Total 30


Plan II: Non-Thesis, Specialty

Credit
Hours
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 560 Nonthesis Project 3
  (Graduate Course from Specialty) 3
Semester 4    
DEHY 504 Dental Hygiene Internship 3
  (Graduate Course from Specialty) 3
  Total 33


Plan II: Non-Thesis, Dental Hygiene Practitioner Option

Credit
Hours
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 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 3
DEHY 562 Primary Dental Care 3
  Total 33

Courses

DEHY 205. Introduction to Dental Hygiene. (2)


DEHY 210. Head and Neck Anatomy. (2)


DEHY 211. Dental 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 for the Dental Hygienist. (3)


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


DEHY 400. 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 405. Dental Hygiene Clinical Instruction. (3)


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


DEHY 410. Dental Hygiene Research Methodology. (3)


DEHY 415. Advocacy and Leadership. (3)


DEHY 420. Dental Hygiene Program Planning. (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 Δ)


DEHY 441. Dental Hygiene Business Principles. (3)


DEHY 442. Principles of Practice. (2)


DEHY 443. Dental Hygiene Teaching Strategies. (3)


DEHY 470. Periodontology I. (3)


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


DEHY 500. Current Issues in Dental Hygiene. (3, may be repeated once Δ)


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 Δ)


DEHY 505. Clinical Teaching and Administration. (3)


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


DEHY 510. Dental Hygiene Research Methodology. (3, may be repeated once Δ)


DEHY 538. Statistics in Dental Hygiene Research. (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 Δ)


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Office of the Registrar

MSC11 6325
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

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