COURSE CURRICULUM

The Dental Hygiene program requires completion of a 41-credit University Core Curriculum alongside a structured sequence of major courses designed to build strong foundations in health sciences, clinical practice, and professional healthcare delivery. The core curriculum includes essential general education subjects such as English composition (ENGL 1112 or ENGL 1113), communication (COMM 1130), mathematics (MATH 1108 or MATH 1110), biology with laboratory (BIOL 1121), psychology (PSYC 1111), sociology (SOCI 1113), nutrition (DIET 1175), and healthcare-related studies including public health, bioethics, healthcare systems, and dental hygiene concepts, ensuring students gain a broad understanding of human health, society, and medical ethics. The dental hygiene major courses provide in-depth scientific and clinical training beginning with foundational subjects such as general and organic chemistry with lab, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, oral facial structures, and radiology. Students then progress into advanced dental hygiene coursework covering periodontal science, dental materials, pharmacology and pain management, local anesthesia, oral medicine, and comprehensive clinical practice through multiple levels of dental hygiene concepts with laboratory components. The curriculum also emphasizes applied learning through public health dentistry, research methods, instructional planning, and a required internship that provides real-world clinical experience. A senior capstone project and coursework in contemporary oral healthcare delivery further develop critical thinking, leadership, and professional decision-making skills. Students may complete anatomy and physiology requirements through either biology-based or allied health pathways, depending on academic preparation. The program concludes with advanced training that prepares graduates for professional licensure, clinical excellence, and expanded roles in education, research, and public health dentistry. A free elective also allows limited academic flexibility. Overall, the program is designed to produce highly skilled dental hygienists capable of working in clinical settings, public health organizations, and advanced healthcare roles while also supporting further academic progression.