Last updated on September 15, 2023.

University of New Mexico School of Medicine

Program Size
24
Program Length
2.5 years months
Application Deadline
August 30, 2024
Program Start
January 20, 2025

Program Contact

Christine Nathe Professor and Director
1 University of New Mexico MSC09 5020 Albuquerque , New Mexico 87131
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The Dental Hygiene program at The University of New Mexico School of Medicine is a five-semester curriculum that starts in the spring semester. Each class of 24 students is selected through the Division of Dental Hygiene's admissions process.

Student selection is based upon grades in the pre-professional courses, state residency, work experience and a personal interview, whenever possible. Out-of-state applications are considered, but New Mexico residents receive preferential consideration. New Mexicans should be prepared to document state residency if requested to do so

Application Requirements

  • Application to UNM Office of Admissions
  • Division of Dental Hygiene Application
  • Official transcripts of all colleges attended.
  • Completion of all prerequisite coursework BEFORE the start of the program.
  • A non-refundable application fee (link found on our website), submitted BEFORE the application deadline.
  • Verification of shadowing/observing a dental hygienist for at least 20 hours.

Application Instructions

  1. Apply for admission to UNM (if not already enrolled). This is a separate admissions process and requires a separate application packet from that of the Division of Dental Hygiene. You must contact the UNM Office of Admissions to obtain the correct information.
    • Apply as a Transfer Student: If you are not currently a UNM student, apply to the University of New Mexico at admissions.unm.edu as a Transfer student enrolling Spring semester.  
    • Complete Paperwork to Transfer to Main Campus: If you are a Branch campus student, please complete the Branch Transition form to move from your Branch campus to main campus in Albuquerque. 
    • If you are already an undergraduate UNM Student: You do not have to apply to UNM. Move to step 2.
  2. Complete the Division of Dental Hygiene Application.
    • Official transcripts must be sent. 
    • Candidates are hereby notified that if any document is missing as of the deadline for application, the division cannot consider that candidate. Candidates are strongly encouraged to begin this process early. Be aware that it takes considerable time for documents such as transcripts to be transferred from one institution to another.

More Information

New Mexicans receive preferential consideration. Age, gender, disability, race, religion and/or national origin are not factors in admission considerations.

About transcripts: An overall grade point average of 2.4 or above on a 4.0 scale is required. Applicants without at least a 2.4 GPA will not be considered. A 2.4 GPA does not guarantee acceptance into the program, however.

Program Information

Program Type Entry Level
Teaching Method In-Person
Degree Awarded Bachelor
Program Size 24
Program Length 2.5 years months
Application Deadline August 30, 2024
Program Start Date January 20, 2025
Credit Hours Required to Graduate 128
Supplemental Application No
Supplemental Fee Yes
Accepts International Students No
Supports Student Visa No
Program Website hsc.unm.edu

Application Requirements

Required Standardized Tests

Supplemental Requirements

  • Requires supplemental fee

Prerequisite Instructions

All prerequisites must be completed BEFORE the start of the program, Spring semester. (Courses in progress in the Fall semester should be listed as In-Progress on the ADEA DH CAS application.)

BIOL 1140

BIOL 1140L

BIOL 2210

BIOL 2210L

BIOL 2225

BIOL 2225L

CHEM 1120C

CHEM 2120

COMM 2120/1

ENGL 1110

ENGL 1120

MATH 1350

NUTR 2110

PSYC 1110

SOCI 1110

Arts & Design General Education Required Course

Letters of Evaluation Instructions

No Letters of Recommendation are Required for this Program

Other Requirement Instructions

At least 20 hours of shadowing are required with a Registered Dental Hygienist. The letter should be on official letterhead, and authored and signed by the Dental Hygienist. 

Additional Information

Students earn clinical experience through coursework in the program.