Accelerated B.S. Dental Hygiene
Accelerated B.S. to M.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 (p. 62).
Once accepted into an accelerated degree program, it is strongly recommended for students to stay in close communication with their advisor regarding 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 (http://coursecat.isu.edu/graduate/graduateadmissions/).
This accelerated program provides an opportunity for outstanding bachelor degree dental hygiene students at Idaho State University to complete a fast track program during the summer and last two semesters of the bachelor 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 degree dental hygiene program. Please contact the Graduate Program Director regarding acceptance into the Graduate School and the Master of Science Dental Hygiene program.
A.A.S./A.S. to M.S. Accelerated Pathway
This accelerated bridge program from an entry-level dental hygiene program to a Master of Science with an emphasis in Dental Hygiene 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 MS in dental hygiene. 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 BS Degree Completion dental hygiene program while maintaining a 3.0 GPA. 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 MS program. Once the students have completed the 5 dual credit courses (12 credits that count towards both the BS degree completion and the MS in dental hygiene degree) they will be eligible to graduate with their Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and continue on to complete the Master of Science in Dental Hygiene.
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 in research development.
Program Admissions Requirements
Admissions for the program is “open enrollment” students can apply at any time. Applicants must have a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0. Dental hygiene program information regarding current admission criteria and procedures can be obtained from the Dental Hygiene website at https://isu.edu/dentalhygiene/, or directly from the department. Admission to Idaho State University and the AAS/AS to MS Accelerated Pathway is a separate procedure and must be completed prior to submitting an application to the MS in dental hygiene graduate program. The graduate application must be completed prior to starting the dual credit courses listed at the 5000-6000 level. A 3.0 cumulative GPA is required for admissions to the MS in dental hygiene program.
Academic Standards
To enroll in upper division courses with a dental hygiene prefix (DENT), students must be accepted for admission to the dental hygiene AAS/AS to MS accelerated program. To be eligible for graduation and progression in the dental hygiene master’s program, the student must maintain a 3.0 GPA in all course work. Course work for which the student receives a grade below 3.0 will not be accepted as fulfilling requirements for the Master of Science in Dental Hygiene program.
General Education
The listing below includes program requirements that also fulfill General Education requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Objective 1 - ENGL 1101; ENGL 1102 | 6 | |
| Objective 2 - COMM 1101 | 3 | |
| Objective 3 - MATH 1153 | 3 | |
| Objective 4 | 6 | |
| Objective 5 - CHEM 1101 | 7 | |
| Objective 6 - PSYC 1101, SOC 1101 | 6 | |
| Students must fulfill Objective 7 or Objective 8 | 3 | |
Objective 7 | ||
Objective 8 - INFO 1101 (Recommended) 1 | ||
| Objective 9 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 37 | |
- 1
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.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 3307 | Professional and Technical Writing | 3 |
| DENT 4401 | Research Methods | 2 |
| DENT 4408 | Ethical and Legal Principles | 2 |
| DENT 4424 | Principles of Interprofessional Practice Management | 3 |
| Accelerated Dental Hygiene Graduate Dual Credit Courses | ||
| DENT 5596 | Graduate Seminar I | 1 |
| DENT 6605 | Program Development and Evaluation | 3 |
| DENT 6610 | Special Care Populations | 3 |
| DENT 6623 | Leadership & Health Policy | 3 |
| Elective Course at the 5000/6000 level (2 credits) | 2 | |
| Total Credits | 22 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DENT 4400 | Experiential Learning Equivalency for BS Degree Completion and Accelerated MSDH Program | 1-16 |
| DHS 4401 | Mindfulness in Health Science | 2 |
| DHS 4403 | Interprofessional Systems in Geriatric Management | 3 |
| DHS 4402 | Survey of Aging Issues | 3 |
| DHS 4405 | Effects of Mindfulness Practice (can be repeated for credit) | 1 |
| DHS 4427 | Evidence Based Complementary and Integrative Health | 3 |
| DENT 4481 | Independent Studies in Dental Hygiene | 1-3 |
| Elective Total Credits | 14-35 | |
BS Diploma Awarded and Continue on to MS Degree
Degree Totals
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Admission Requirements (Required General Education credits removed) | 80-90 (Varies) | |
| General Education | 37 | |
| Major Requirements (12 credits count for both undergraduate and graduate courses - dual credit) | 22 (12 dual credits) | |
| Upper Division Electives | 14 | |
| MS Courses | 37 (12 dual credits = 25 remaining MS Credits) | |
| Total Credits | 145 | |
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Program admission totals vary depending on the associate degree earned.
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Students who earn a qualifying associate degree will qualify for a general education waiver upon matriculation to ISU.