College of Professional Studies
Dental Hygiene - BSDH Initial Licensure Program Admissions
Admissions Process and Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) has a limited enrollment based on space available in clinical facilities. The admission process is competitive, and students will be selected on the basis of academic qualifications and professional potential. Interviews may be required. The curriculum consists of eight semesters of full-time study, including two years of study in general education which precede admission to upper division dental hygiene coursework. Acceptance to the University does not imply acceptance into the Dental Hygiene Program. The latter requires a separate application process.
The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree program application is in addition to application for admission to Clayton State University. The competitive admission process includes the following:
- Application and acceptance to Clayton State University (this includes all required documents). Students should declare their major as pre-Dental Hygiene.
- Completion of the separate application to the BSDH program
- Completion of general education courses, as
follows:
- Application. Application may be submitted any time after the student has completed 30 hours of core curriculum (Areas A-F) work with a GPA of at least 2.50 (Clayton State University and transfer courses included).
- Acceptance. Admission decisions will be made after the applicant has completed at least 45 hours of core curriculum (Areas A-F) work and has continued to maintain a GPA of at least 2.50. Meeting the minimum GPA does not assure acceptance. The program's Admission Committee will select the most qualified applicants for the available space. Acceptance will be contingent on maintaining the standards indicated in item C. (A waiting list may be maintained for the coming Fall Semester class. Students not admitted by August must reapply if they wish to be considered for a future year.)
- Maintenance of Accepted Status. To maintain accepted status and be eligible to start upper division Dental Hygiene courses, the student must meet the following standards:
- maintain a GPA of at least 2.50
- complete the Area D science sequence with all grades of C or higher (or K)
- complete MATH 1101 or higher with a grade of C or higher (or K)
- pass the Regents’ Test.
Any student who fails to maintain these standards will have his or her acceptance for the coming Fall Semester revoked. A student whose admission is revoked must reapply if he or she wishes to be considered for a future year.
- If the student has completed any coursework at a college or university other than Clayton State University official transcripts must be sent to the Registrar.
- Participation in an admission interview.
- Submission of a letter from dental office or Clayton State University DHYG Clinic as verification of observation as per guidelines in the application packet.
- Evidence of satisfactory overall health status.
- Evidence of satisfactory eye-exam. Reasonable accommodation will be made on an individual basis.
- Students who have attended another dental hygiene education program at any time are required to indicate such attendance on their application. Failure to disclose this information may lead to dismissal even after matriculation. If the applicant has attended another dental hygiene program, regardless of dates of attendance, a letter of good standing from the program administrator is required to complete the application process. Students who have been suspended from another program due to academic or clinical performance will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants will be rated on the following criteria:
- overall academic performance;*
- specific performance in natural sciences and mathematics;
- ability to articulate personal values, reasons for selecting dental hygiene as a career, and goals for the dental hygiene education experience.
* Students in good standing in the Clayton State University Honor's Program are guaranteed a place in the dental hygiene program if they apply on time and meet all specific course requirements.