School of Dentistry
Graduate Programs

Through their respective departments, the graduate faculty members of the School offer programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science in Dentistry, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy, as well as postgraduate certificate programs.

Master of Science in Dentistry/Postgraduate Certificates

Fields of study for the M.S.D. programs include endodontics, oral pathology, oral medicine and orofacial pain, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics. Although students may enroll in a graduate certificate program only, they may elect to pursue an M.S.D. Programs are planned to prepare students to think independently, to evaluate their own services and the literature of the programs, and to develop clinical skills to a level to permit successful clinical practice, teaching, or research in their chosen specialty. Emphasis is placed on the basic principles of diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of the programs is not only to train students in their respective specialties but also to encourage preparation for academic careers or for research. Research may be undertaken in basic or applied science. Opportunities for collaborative research are available with the cooperation of other colleges, schools, or departments of the University.

Postgraduate certificate programs are not administered by the Graduate School, and no thesis is required. The course content may vary somewhat from the M.S.D. program, although the same academic standards are applied in both programs. Tuition and fees are assessed at the graduate level for both programs.

Master of Science in Dentistry

Admission Requirements

1. Either a baccalaureate or a professional degree from a dental or medical school.
2. Completed application and application fee of $50
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. 200-300 word statement of educational and professional objectives which includes a general area of research interest and academic goals. Optional a personal statement that addresses the relationship between personal background and aspirations
5. A brief biographical sketch in a resume/CV format
6. Official transcripts, sent directly to the Department of Oral Biology
7. GRE General Test scores
8. TOEFL, required for international students. The minimum TOEFL score required is 237 computer, 580 paper, iBT 70 (based only on listening, reading, and writing sections.).

Degree Requirements

50 credits, to include:

1. Required courses(Approximately 35 credits from this list): ORALB 564 (1-3, max. 10), ORALB 565 (1-3, max. 10), ORALB 566 (2-4, max. 16), ORALB 569 (2), PERIO 575 (1-3, max. 10), ORALB 570 (1-3, max. 9), ORALB 575 (1-3, max. 10), ORALB 579 (2); either ORALB 591 (1-2, max. 2), ORALB 592 (1-2, max. 2), or DPHS 568 (3); for foreign-trained dentists and non-dentists: ORALB 572 (3), PATH 544 (2/3, max. 5)
2. Recommended electives (Approximately 15 credits from this list): DPHS 569 (2), MEBI 520 (2), ORALB 562 (1-5, max. 10), ORALB 574 (3), PATH 501 (1, max. 9), PATH 535 (*, max. 20), PATH 552 (2-5, max. 30)
3. Research: Fulfilled by either a report on experimentation carried out by the student in one of the laboratories, or a case report with review of the literature. Students interested in a more research-intensive experience should consider enrolling in the M. S. in Oral Biology (thesis) program.
4. Teaching: Students are encouraged to take elective courses offered through the Department of Medical Education and Graduate School.
5. Note: At present, this program is not certified by the American Board of Oral Pathology.

Master of Science in Dentistry, Endodontics

Admission Requirements

1. Professional degree from a dental school
2. Completed application and application fee of $50
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. A personal statement that addresses the relationship between the student's personal background and aspirations
5. Brief biographical sketch in a resume/CV format
6. Official transcripts, sent directly to the Department of Endodontics (international applicants must also send official transcripts to the Graduate School)
7. GRE General Test - required only from applicants who graduated from a non-ADA-accredited dental school
8. TOEFL - equired for international students. The minimum TOEFL score required is 237 computer, 580 paper

Degree Requirements

Minimum 122 credits, to include:

1. Students who have adequate backgrounds in required courses may, on presentation of appropriate documentation, be excused from required courses at the discretion of the program director.
2. Required core courses: ENDO 561 (2), ENDO 580 through ENDO 587 (2 credits each), ENDO 590 (2, max. 16), ENDO 593 (1, max. 3), ENDO 594 (1), ENDO 600 (var.), ENDO 658 (1), ENDO 660 (4, max. 32), DENT 565 (2), DENT 568 (1-3, max. 6), DPHS 568 (3), DPHS 569 (2), ORALB 569 (2), ORALB 574 (3), ORALB 579 (2), ORALB 591 (1-2), ORALB 592 (1-2), ORALM 580 (2), ORTHO 580 (3), PERIO 567 (1, max. 3), PERIO 582 (1, max. 12), PERIO 585 (1, max. 12), PERIO 586 (1, max. 9).
3. Non-thesis research: A non-thesis research study is required. During the first year, each student is encouraged to gain familiarity with research in progress and to help identify an area of special interest. Then, a preceptor and research advisory committee is appointed and the student begins research work. The master's defense is concerned with the research subject matter and is conducted as an open seminar followed by examination by the advisory committee.
4. Teaching: Students audit predoctoral lecture courses in endodontics, assist with teaching in the predoctoral endodontics laboratory course, and supervise predoctoral dental students working in the endodontic clinic.

Master of Science, Oral Biology

Admission Requirements

1. Either a baccalaureate or a professional degree from a dental or medical school
2. Completed application and application fee of $50
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. 200-300 word statement of educational and professional objectives which includes a general area of research interest and academic goals. Optional - a personal statement that addresses the relationship between the student's personal background and aspirations
5. Brief biographical sketch in a resume/CV format
6. Official transcripts, sent directly to the Department of Oral Biology
7. GRE General Test
8. TOEFL - required for international students. The minimum TOEFL score required is 237 computer, 580 paper, iBT 70 (based only on listening, reading, and writing sections.)

Degree Requirements

Minimum 70 credits, to include:

1. Minimum 70 credit hours (including at least nine credits of thesis), of which at least 7 credits must be from science courses outside the Department of Oral Biology. Students who have adequate backgrounds in required courses may, on presentation of appropriate documentation, be excused from required courses; up to six hours of transfer credit may be granted at the discretion of the Graduate School.
2. Required core courses: ORALB 569 (2), ORALB 575 (1-3, max. 10), ORALB 578 (2-4, max. 15), ORALB 579 (2), ORALB 581 (1-3, max. 3), ORALB 591 (1-2, max. 2), ORALB 592 (1-2, max. 2), ORALB 600, ORALB 700, DPHS 568 (3)
3. Electives: 7 credits from science courses outside oral biology
4. Recommended: One class on educational methods
5. Thesis research: A research thesis is required. During the first year, each student is encouraged to spend time in several laboratories to gain familiarity with research in progress and to help identify an area of special interest. Then, a preceptor and thesis advisory committee is appointed and the student begins thesis work. The final examination is concerned with the subject matter of the thesis and is conducted as an open seminar followed by examination by the advisory committee.
6. Teaching: Students are encouraged to take elective courses offered through the Department of Medical Education and Graduate School.

Master of Science, Dental Hygiene

Admission Requirements

1. Either a baccalaureate or a professional degree from a dental or medical school
2. Completed application and application fee of $50
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. 200-300 word statement of educational and professional objectives which includes a general area of research interest and academic goals. Optional - a personal statement that addresses the relationship between the student's personal background and aspirations
5. Brief biographical sketch in a resume/CV format
6. Official transcripts, sent directly to the Department of Oral Biology
7. GRE General Test
8. TOEFL - required for international students. The minimum TOEFL score required is 237 computer, 580 paper, iBT 70 (based only on listening, reading, and writing sections.)

Degree Requirements

70 credits, to include:

1. Coursework: 48 credits, as follows: CONJ 401 (4), CONJ 402 (4), CONJ 403 (4), PATH 544 (2-3, max. 5), PERIO 575 (2), ORALB 520 (3), ORALB 561 (3, max. 6), ORALB 572 (3, max. 6), ORALB 575 (1-3, max. 10); at least one of the following: PERIO 517 (2), DPHS 568 (3), DPHS 569 (2), or O S 532 (2); at least two of the followingMEBI 520 (2), MEBI 521 (3), GRDSCH 630 (2, max. 6). ORALB 562 (2, max 10).
2. Electives: 22 credits of electives. Recommended electives: ORALB 569 (2), ORALB 574 (3), ORALB 578 (2-4, max. 15), ORALB 579 (2), ORALB 600 (*), DENT 534 (1, max. 2), DPHS 550 (*, max. 6), DPHS 569 (2), ORTHO 580 (2), O S 520 (2), PHCOL 434 (2), PHCOL 435 (2), ORALM 520 (2)
3. Clinical opportunities may be available in the DECOD (Dental Education in Care of Persons with Disabilities) and the Dental Fears Clinics.

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission Requirements

1. Either a baccalaureate or a professional degree from a dental or medical school
2. Completed application and application fee of $50
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. 200-300 word statement of educational and professional objectives which includes a general area of research interest and academic goals. Optional - a personal statement that addresses the relationship between the student's personal background and aspirations
5. Brief biographical sketch in a resume/CV format
6. Official transcripts, sent directly to the Department of Oral Biology
7. GRE General Test
8. TOEFL - required for international students. The minimum TOEFL score required is 237 computer, 580 paper, iBT 70 (based only on listening, reading, and writing sections.)

Degree Requirements

Minimum 90 credits, to include:

Through coursework, students are expected to gain proficiency in one or more basic biologic sciences and to master modern biological approaches in addition to gaining expertise in the subject area of oral and craniofacial sciences. At least 15 credit hours must come from science courses in departments other than oral biology. These include courses offered through the School of Medicine and courses selected to match the basic science interests of the student. Cross-disciplinary training in bioengineering is also available. All graduate students attend and participate in departmental seminars (ORALB 575).

1. Required core courses: ORALB 569 (2), ORALB 575 (2-4, max. 15), ORALB 578 (2-4, max. 15), ORALB 579 (2), ORALB 581 (1-3, max. 3), ORALB 591 (1-2, max. 2), ORALB 592 (1-2, max. 2), ORALB 600, ORALB 800, DPHS 568 (3)
2. At least 6 credits from the School of Medicine: CONJ 524, CONJ 551 (1.5, 1.5) or PABIO 536 (3).
3. Strongly recommended: at least one class on educational methods

Residency Training

Residency training programs are available in oral and maxillofacial surgery and the general practice of dentistry. Both programs provide for rotation through several of the University-affiliated hospitals. Each is a fully accredited program that grants a certificate upon successful completion of the training. Stipends are provided.

The oral and maxillofacial surgery program is four years in duration and provides broad exposure to all aspects of the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Application, selection, and administration of this training program is provided through the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Applicants to the program must be graduates of an accredited U.S. or Canadian Dental School, demonstrate proficiency in the English language, submit National Dental Board Examination scores for Part 1, and register and participate in the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Residency Program Coordinator, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Box 357134, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7134, 206-543-7722.

The General Practice Residency (GPR) is a one-year training program that emphasizes the general dentist's role in a hospital and the management of medically, physically, and mentally compromised patients. Application, selection, and administration of the General Practice Residency are provided through the Department of Restorative Dentistry. Further information can be obtained by contacting Dr. Barton S. Johnson, Division of Hospital Dentistry, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Box 357456, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7456; (206) 543-7496; or visit the General Practice Residency Web site.

Postdoctoral Fellowships

Postdoctoral training fellowships are available in behavioral or public-health research in dentistry in addition to those in oral biology. Programs vary in duration and many accommodate degree-seeking or research fellows pursuing an academic career. NIH-sponsored partial tuition and a stipend for up to three years are provided for U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, and those foreign nationals with permanent-residency status in the United States. Members of ethnic minorities and women are especially invited to apply. Application, selection, and administration of the program are provided through the Departments of Dental Public Health Sciences and Oral Biology.

Graduate Training in Dental Public Health

Opportunities exist for pursuing graduate degrees in public health which emphasize applications to research in dentistry. Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) programs in the Departments of Epidemiology and Health Services of the School of Public Health and Community Medicine can be pursued in conjunction with postdoctoral training in the School of Dentistry's Department of Dental Public Health Sciences. Didactic coursework is taken in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine, augmented with independent study and thesis research on selected topics in the School of Dentistry. Similar opportunities exist for pursuing the Ph.D. in epidemiology or biostatistics with an emphasis on research in dentistry. Further information may be obtained from the Office of Academic Affairs, Box 357480, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7480, (206) 221-6887.

The Office of Continuing Dental Education, School of Dentistry, offers programs and courses throughout the year to provide dentists, auxiliary personnel, and others involved in health care with current scientific knowledge and methodology of patient treatment. Utilizing local, national, and international experts, these programs provide a broad spectrum of information relevant to the needs of dental-health professionals. The instructional program consists of lectures, clinical courses, study clubs, extended clinical training, correspondence, and participation courses, some of which are offered in the new simulated-patient laboratory. Various programs are presented throughout the year in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and Hawaii.

A list of courses offered may be obtained from the Office of Continuing Dental Education, Box 357137, University of Washington, School of Dentistry, Seattle, WA 98195-7137, 206-543-5444, www.uwcde.org.