M.S. & Accelerated B.S. to M.S. & Accelerated A.A.S/A.S

Students accepted into an accelerated undergraduate program may take departmentally approved graduate coursework as part of their undergraduate curriculum. These credits will count towards both their bachelor's and master's degrees and can fulfill major requirements, upper-division requirements,
and/ or free electives. For details on accelerated programs at Idaho State University, please see Degree Requirements.

Once accepted into an accelerated degree program, it is strongly recommended for students to stay in close communication with their advisor regarding the pursuit of acceptance into the Graduate School and the master's degree program at Idaho State University. Acceptance into an accelerated program during the
bachelor's degree program is the first step in the admissions process. A separate application to the Graduate School is necessary for all accelerated programs. For more information regarding application and admission to the Graduate School at Idaho State University, please see the Graduate Admissions section of
the graduate catalog. 

Accelerated Dental Hygiene B.S. to M.S.

This accelerated program provides an opportunity for outstanding bachelor's degree dental hygiene students to complete a fast-track program during the summer and last two semesters of the bachelor's degree program. Students who have a cumulative 3.0-grade point average in their dental hygiene courses and senior standing may complete up to 12 online graduate credits. These credits may be applied to both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Students must be in good academic standing with the Department of Dental Hygiene and Idaho State University and have demonstrated successful completion of upper-division courses in the bachelor's degree dental hygiene program. Please contact the Graduate Program Director regarding acceptance into the Graduate School and the Master of Science Dental Hygiene program.

Graduates of the MSDH program at ISU are prepared to work as educators, leaders, and administrators in academia, public health, corporate settings, alternative work settings, and research development.

Program Admissions Requirements

Formal application for admission to the dental hygiene program must be submitted before January 15 of the year the student wishes to enter. Applicants must complete prerequisite courses and complete specific requirements for consideration. Applicants must have a minimum Cumulative Core and Natural Science
Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.8. Dental hygiene program information regarding current admission criteria and procedures can be obtained from the Dental Hygiene website, or directly from the department. Application materials are submitted through the American Dental Education Association Centralized Dental Hygiene Application Service

Admission to Idaho State University is a separate procedure and must be completed prior to application to the dental hygiene program. Students must provide verification of current CPR certification and vaccinations prior to beginning the program within the specified application year.

Academic Standards

To enroll in upper division courses with a dental hygiene prefix (DENT), students must be accepted for admission to the dental hygiene program. Each student is responsible for completing the required coursework in proper sequential order. To be eligible for graduation and progression in the dental hygiene
program, the student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.25. Coursework for which the student receives a grade below “C-” (C minus) will not be accepted as fulfilling requirements for the Department of Dental Hygiene. The department chairperson must approve any deviation from these standards.

Prerequisite Courses

BIOL 2233Principles of Microbiology3
BIOL 2233LPrinciples of Microbiology Lab1
Choose one of the following course sequences:8
Human Anatomy and Physiology 1
Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lab
and
Human Anatomy and Physiology 2
Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lab
or
Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology 1
Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lab
and
Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology 2
Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lab
CHEM 1101Introduction to Chemistry3
CHEM 1102Essentials of Organic and Biochemistry3
CHEM 1103Essentials of Organic and Biochemistry Laboratory1
COMM 1101Fundamentals of Oral Communication3
DENT 2201Principles of Dental Hygiene2
ENGL 1101Writing and Rhetoric I3
ENGL 1102Writing and Rhetoric II3
NTD 2239Nutrition3
or NTD 3340 Nutrition for Health Professionals
MATH 1153Statistical Reasoning3
PSYC 1101Introduction to Psychology3
SOC 1101Introduction to Sociology3
All coursework must be completed with a grade of C- or above
Total Credits:42

*Elective course DENT 2220 is highly recommended for pre-dental hygiene students without dental office
experience.

General Education

The listing below includes program requirements that also fulfill General Education requirements.

  • Objective 1 - ENGL 1101; ENGL 1102 (6 credits)
  • Objective 2 - COMM 1101 (3 credits)
  • Objective 3 - MATH 1153 (3 credits)
  • Objective 4  - Any course meeting Objective 4; must take two Objective 4 courses (6 credits)
  • Objective 5 - CHEM 1101 (7 credits)
  • Objective 6 - PSYC 1101, SOC 1101 (6 credits)
  • Students must fulfill Objective 7 or Objective 8 (3 credits)
    • Objective 7 -
    • Objective 8 - INFO 1101 (Recommended)
  • Objective 9  - Any course meeting Objective (3 credits)

Total Credits 37
*Elective course INFO 1101 is highly recommended as an elective for those individuals without computer
skills and it may be chosen to satisfy General Education Objective 8.


Accelerated Dental Hygiene A.A.S./A.S. to M.S.

This accelerated bridge program from an entry-level dental hygiene program to a Master of Science with an emphasis in Dental Hygiene (MSDH) is for registered dental hygienists who have already graduated from an accredited entry-level dental hygiene program and are licensed as Registered Dental Hygienists. This program is offered 100% online. Twelve credits in this program are dual credits meaning they count for both undergraduate and graduate course work creating an accelerated path to the MSDH. Students must be in good academic standing with the Department of Dental Hygiene and Idaho State University and have demonstrated successful completion of upper-division courses in the bachelor's degree dental hygiene program. Please contact the Graduate Program Director regarding acceptance into the Graduate School and the Master of Science Dental Hygiene program. Students who are accepted into the BS Degree Completion program can choose to continue their degree progression to the accelerated M.S. program and follow the GPA requirements of 3.0 once they enter the M.S. accelerated pathway.

Major Requirements (Core)

ENGL 3307Professional and Technical Writing3
DENT 4401Research Methods2
DENT 4408Ethical and Legal Principles2
DENT 6623Leadership & Health Policy3
DENT 6605Program Development and Evaluation3
DENT 4424Principles of Interprofessional Practice Management3
Total: 15
Electives:
DENT 4400Experiential Learning Equivalency for BS Degree Completion and Accelerated MSDH Program1-16
DHS 4401Mindfulness in Health Science2
DHS 4402Survey of Aging Issues3
DHS 4403Interprofessional Systems in Geriatric Management3
DHS 4405Effects of Mindfulness Practice1
DHS 4427Evidence Based Complementary and Integrative Health3
DENT 4481Independent Studies in Dental Hygiene1-3
Total: 14 - 37

Accelerated Dental Hygiene Graduate Dual Credit

DENT 5596Graduate Seminar I1
DENT 6605Program Development and Evaluation3
DENT 6610Special Care Populations3
DENT 6623Leadership & Health Policy3
Elective Course at the 5000/6000 level (Online)2
Total:12

Degree Totals

  • Program Admission Requirements (Required General Education credits removed): 80-90 credits (varies)
  • General Education: 0-37 credits
  • Major Requirements: 27 credits
  • Upper Division Electives: 9 credits
  • Electives: 0-37 credits

Total Credits 120-213

  • Program admission totals vary depending on the associate degree earned.
  • Students who earn a qualifying associate degree will qualify for a general education waiver upon matriculation to ISU.