Home > For Prospective Students > Dental Hygiene Program > Admission Requirements
Two years of liberal arts study with a minimum of 60 semester hours of
transferable quality academic course credits are required.
| Courses |
Credits |
| English |
6 |
| General Biology with Laboratory |
3-5 |
| College Chemistry with Laboratory |
3-5 |
| Anatomy and Physiology with Laboratory |
6-8 |
| Microbiology with Laboratory |
3-5 |
| Humanities |
3 |
| Introductory Sociology |
3 |
| Introductory Psychology |
3 |
| Speech |
3 |
| Statistics |
3 |
| Visual or Performing Arts * |
3 |
* A hands-on course is preferred
For a list of prerequisite courses that can be taken in the Virginia
Community College System, refer to page 47 of the
VCU Transfer Guide.
- Approved electives fulfilling the distribution requirements of the liberal arts college or university currently attending.
- A minimum grade-point average of 2.5 in the cumulative, math/science and designated prerequisite courses GPA is required for admission.
- Applicants with a native language other than English, regardless of
immigration status or previous course work, must present a TOEFL score of
580 (paper) or 237 (computer), or better, and a TWE score of 4.0 or better.
TOEFL and TWE scores must be included with application materials.
- Complete application package must be submitted by February 15. The
Division of Dental Hygiene at VCU School of Dentistry cannot be responsible
for items lost or delayed by the Postal Service.
- The Division of Dental Hygiene at Virginia Commonwealth University
currently does not require a criminal background check prior to admission.
However, applicants are advised that many states now require criminal
background checks before licensure can be granted. A felony conviction may
impact your eligibility to obtain a dental hygiene license and work as a
dental hygienist. In addition, as part of a student's course of study and
community education, the dental hygiene curriculum includes the delivery of
clinical services at off-site rotations. Criminate background checks may be
required at one or more of these off-campus sites. Individuals who have a
felony or misdemeanor conviction may not be eligible to participate in
these rotations and may risk dismissal from the program.