Harvard School of Dental Medicine
- Massachusetts
- Dental Education
- hsdm.harvard.edu
Program Contact
This fully online program is designed to train leaders who can drive meaningful change in response to advancements in dental education by preparing them to design innovative curricula and inspire students and faculty.
With a strong commitment to developing the next generation of educational leaders, the program’s faculty and curriculum are dedicated to shaping the future of dental education.
Degrees/certificates offered
Master of Medical Sciences (MMSc)
A one-year full-time, or two-year part-time fully online program culminating in a MMSc degree in dental education.
Who Should Apply?
· The program is open to dentists, mid-career dental educators, allied oral health professionals, public health leaders in oral health, international dental professionals, academic leadership aspirants, and clinicians who have a desire to teach.
Candidates must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent at the time of matriculation.
Key Program Features
· Online Format
o Synchronous instruction for real-time learning and community-building
o Asynchronous components for scholarship and research, allowing self-paced flexibility
· Leadership-Focused Curriculum
o Emphasizes academic leadership skills tailored to dental education
o Covers didactic, preclinical, and clinical teaching methods
· Global Accessibility
o No relocation required—accessible from anywhere in the world
· Interprofessional Approach
o Includes allied health professionals and promotes interprofessional collaboration
o Prepares participants for diverse roles in academic institutions and public health
· Career Advancement Pathway
o Equips graduates for roles such as program directors, department chairs, or academic deans
o Ideal for mid-career professionals looking to shift toward academia or leadership
· Institutional Strength
o Backed by Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s global reputation and educational excellence
o Developed in alignment with institutional goals of equity, access, and global engagement
· Innovative Teaching Methods
o Integration of cutting-edge educational technologies and methodologies
o Focus on practical application in diverse teaching environments
Benefits for Learners
- Enhanced Career Opportunities
o Position yourself for academic leadership roles and higher levels of professional responsibility.
- Flexibility for Working Professionals
- Earn a master’s degree while continuing to work in clinical practice or academia.
- Global Learning Community
- Join a diverse cohort of oral health professionals from around the world.
- Access to Harvard Faculty and Resources
- Learn from top experts in dental education, leadership, and innovation.
- Skill Development Beyond Clinical Practice
- Gain teaching, leadership, and scholarly competencies essential for a successful academic career.
- Opportunity to Drive Systemic Change
- Become a leader equipped to shape the future of dental education and oral healthcare policy.
Program Information
| Accreditation | This program is offered by a CODA-accredited institution |
|---|---|
| Program Type | Dental Education |
| Program Code | DENTED1 |
| Degrees Offered | Masters |
| Program Size | 10 (estimate) |
| Program Length | 1-2 years months |
| Application Deadline | February 1 |
| Program Start Date | July 1 |
| Supplemental Application | Yes, Link, Supplemental applications must be emailed directly to age_admissions@hsdm.harvard.edu. |
| Supplemental Fee | Yes, $95 |
| Stipend Offered | No |
| Match Participating | No |
| Program Website | hsdm.harvard.edu |
Application Requirements
Required Standardized Tests
- TOEFL
Supplemental Requirements
- Requires supplemental application
- Requires supplemental fee
Transcript Evaluation and Instructions
In addition to submitting official dental school transcripts, applicants must upload unofficial transcripts of any degree obtained to the ADEA PASS application. This includes ECE/WES transcript evaluations (including original international transcripts), undergraduate, and graduate degrees. Do not email or mail institution transcripts directly to Admissions.
Letters of Evaluation Instructions
If you do not have an Institution Evaluation Form (IEF) from your Dean's office, we will accept an IEF from a program you did after dental school; such as a specialty program. The evaluation can also be from a Principal Investigator. If you do not have either of these, please contact Admissions.
One of the Professional Evaluation Forms (PEF) must be from your most recent academic director and/or employer (if applicable).
TOEFL Requirement Instructions
Applicants who only have international academic degrees must demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores.
HSDM TOEFL minimum test scores
| Category | Tests taken before January 21, 2026* | Tests taken after January 21, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
|
Overall score
|
90
|
4.5
|
|
Speaking
|
23
|
4.5
|
|
Writing
|
21
|
4.5
|
|
Reading
|
21
|
4.5
|
|
Listening
|
17
|
4.5
|
*Acceptable scores have been slightly adjusted from the official TOEFL score conversion ranges to ensure compliance with Massachusetts dental licensure regulations while maintaining HSDM’s previous minimum score standards.
TOEFL waiver criteria
HSDM will waive the TOEFL requirement for applicants who have earned a qualifying degree from an accredited institution in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, or New Zealand, where English was the primary language of instruction.
Eligible degrees include:
- Bachelor’s degree (e.g., BA, BS)
- Master’s degree (minimum two-year program; e.g., MS, MA, MPH)
- Doctoral degree (e.g., PhD, EdD)
- Dental degree (DDS or DMD)
For the full TOEFL Requirement Instructions, please visit our website here.
Other Requirement Instructions
Supplemental applications must be emailed directly to AGE Admissions.
The non-refundable HSDM Application Fee of $95 can be paid here. You may qualify for a fee waiver if you are a member or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. To apply for a fee waiver, please email AGE Admissions with proof of military service.
International Student Eligibility
This program will consider applicants who graduated, or plan to graduate, from a non-CODA accredited dental school: Yes
Applicants are eligible to enroll if they are:
- US Citizen
- US Permanent Resident
- Canadian Citizen
- Canadian Permanent Resident
- Non-US Citizen/Resident (applicant must obtain their own sponsorship)
Interview Schedule
Each individual academic department oversees the interview process for their program and will directly contact candidates selected for interview. Please note that Admissions does not coordinate interviews.
Additional Information
NOTE: Please do not submit any of the following to HSDM: transcripts, resumes/CVs, letter of recommendation, portfolios, research papers, etc. All materials submitted to PASS will suffice for the application process.