University of Minnesota Twin Cities School of Dentistry Dental Therapy
- Minnesota
- Entry Level
- In-Person
- httups
Program Contact
Moos Health Science Tower
515 Delaware Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry’s dental therapy program has been working to address growing concerns regarding access to care and oral health care disparities in the state since 2009. This CODA-accredited program is approved through the Minnesota Board of Dentistry.
Students are eligible to apply to the dual-licensed dental hygiene/therapy program after completing the 8 prerequisite courses.
The program is year round, and 32 months in length. This program reduces the educational cost to students and also reduces the length of time to earn both degrees from 6 to 4 ½ years. Dual-licensed dental hygienists/therapists provide flexibility in meeting the preventative and restorative needs of the communities they serve.
Program Information
| Program Type | Entry Level |
|---|---|
| Teaching Method | In-Person |
| Degree Awarded | Masters |
| Program Size | 8 |
| Program Length | 32 months |
| Application Deadline | January 4, 2027 |
| Program Start Date | August 23, 2027 |
| Supplemental Application | Yes |
| Supplemental Fee | Yes |
| Accepts International Students | No |
| Supports Student Visa | No |
| Program Website | httups |
Application Requirements
Required Standardized Tests
- TOEFL
Other Standardized Tests
TOEFL is only required for non-native speakers of English.
Supplemental Requirements
- Requires supplemental application
- Requires supplemental fee
Prerequisite Instructions
All prerequisite courses need to be completed with a C or above by June 1 of the year you enter dental school.
Course prerequisites with a C- or below grade must be re-taken for a higher grade. Biology and Chemistry must be taken within five years of entry into the program, and one or the other must be completed prior to application, with grades posted on your transcript submitted at the time of application. Online laboratory courses are not accepted. You may receive credit by earning satisfactory scores on an AP or IB exam.
- Anatomy - 3 semester credits, labs not required.
- General Biology - 3 semester credits, lab required. Microbiology courses do not satisfy the biology prerequisite.
- General Chemistry - 3 semester credits, lab required.
- Composition – 3 semester credits.
- Physiology – 3 semester credits, lab not required.
- Psychology – 3 semester credits.
- Sociology – 3 semester credits.
- Statistics - 3 semester credits.
Letters of Evaluation Instructions
Applicants to the BS Dental Hygiene/Master of Dental Therapy Dual-Degree program are required to submit three letters of recommendation with their application.
- Two letters from a science or math professor, with whom you have completed a college level course.
- One letter from a supervisor of paid or volunteer work.
Letters of evaluation should be sent via ADEA DHCAS. Additional letters beyond the three required letters may be submitted. (We do not accept letters submitted by applicants.)
Other Requirement Instructions
EXPOSURE TO DENTISTRY (Shadowing)
The U of M School of Dentistry requires 16 hours of in-person shadowing by the time of matriculation. 8 hours must be complete at the time of application, and reported on your ADEA DHCAS application. BS Dental Hygiene/Master of Dental Therapy applicants must complete 8 hours with a Dental Hygienist, and 8 with a Dental Therapist or Dentist. Virtual shadowing hours will not be counted. Hours completed with a relative will not be counted.
MINIMUM GPA
A minimum total GPA of 3.0, prerequisite course GPA of 2.8, and science coursework GPA of 2.8 are required in order to apply to the UMN SOD. GPA minimums must still be met at the time of matriculation.