COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program at Wichita State University requires a minimum of 120 credit hours and is specifically designed for licensed dental hygienists seeking to expand their professional knowledge, enhance career opportunities, and complete a bachelor’s degree. Students entering the program are considered to have fulfilled general education requirements through approved transfer coursework and may receive up to 28 credit hours of retroactive credit for previous dental hygiene education and professional preparation. The curriculum builds upon existing clinical expertise and focuses on advanced professional roles, leadership, education, research, public health, and healthcare administration. Core courses include Fundamentals of Advanced Professional Roles, Educational Methodology in Dental Hygiene, Curriculum Design and Evaluation, Population Health Management, Special Care Populations, Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Issues in Dental Hygiene, Adaptive Leadership, and Statistics. These courses help students develop skills in teaching, curriculum development, leadership, healthcare planning, evidence-based decision-making, and the delivery of oral healthcare services to diverse populations. The program emphasizes the importance of public health and community engagement while preparing students to address evolving challenges within the dental profession. Students also complete elective coursework in areas such as healthcare administration, psychology of aging, global healthcare issues, and the impact of disease on society, allowing them to broaden their understanding of healthcare systems and population health. Additional open electives provide flexibility for students to customize their academic experience and reach the 120-credit-hour graduation requirement. Because the program is offered fully online, students can continue working while completing their studies in a convenient and flexible format. Graduates are prepared for expanded roles in dental hygiene education, public health programs, community outreach, healthcare management, corporate dental organizations, research, and professional leadership. The degree also serves as a strong foundation for advanced graduate education in dental hygiene, public health, healthcare administration, education, and related healthcare disciplines, helping professionals increase career mobility and contribute to the advancement of oral health and healthcare services.