Admission Requirements

Two years of liberal arts study with a minimum of 60 semester hours of transferable quality academic course credits are required. Click on a course subject for more information.

The remainder of the 60 required credits can be chosen from any of the following areas of study: Science, Math, Computer usage, First Aid and CPR, and Humanities. Science electives are strongly recommended.

For a list of prerequisite courses that can be taken in the Virginia Community College System or through Richard Bland College, refer to the VCU Transfer Guide.

• From the drop box for Subject Area, choose "Health Sciences." From the drop box for Major, choose "Dental Hygiene." From the drop box for School, choose either "Virginia Community College System" or "Richard Bland College." NOTE: NAS 161 and 162 are NO LONGER acceptable and WILL NOT transfer to VCU.
• Approved electives fulfilling the distribution requirements of the liberal arts college or university currently attending.
• A minimum GPA of 2.5 based on a four-point scale in the cumulative courses and a minimum GPA of 2.7 in the math/science and designated prerequisite courses.
• To successfully complete the dental hygiene curriculum, students are required to clearly communicate with faculty, students, staff and patients. Accordingly, applicants may be required to provide evidence of their proficiency in American English via standardized tests. Applicants with a native language other than English, regardless of immigration status or previous course work, must present a Test of English as a Foreign Language score of 580 (paper), 237 (computer) or 80 (Internet-based test). The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is accepted as an alternate exam of English language proficiency. A minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.0 (competent user). TOEFL/IELTS scores must be included with application materials.
• Complete the application and submit the required transcripts, references, personal statement, and application on or before Feb. 15th. The complete application package must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions in the MCV Campus (VMI Building, 1000 E. Marshall St., Room 322) on or before Feb. 15 (NOT postmarked Feb. 15).
• As an applicant to the Division of Dental Hygiene at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, all accepted candidates, prior to matriculation, will be required to submit to a criminal background check (CBC). A final decision about matriculation will be made after a review of the applicant's CBC.
• Any application that does not meet the above stipulations will not be processed. As part of the selection process, a candidate may be asked to participate in a personal interview process.