Program Overview

Are you an associate’s degree-holding dental hygienist? Did you know that you can advance to a master’s degree dental hygienist without first earning your bachelor’s degree? At MCPHS Online, the Associate Degree to Master of Science Degree (AD to MS) in Dental Hygiene is an online bridge program specifically designed for practicing dental hygienists who have an associate’s degree.

The AD to MS bridge program was created as an alternative pathway to move dental hygienists from associate to graduate levels to satisfy the future demand for educators, administrators, researchers and advanced practitioners. Our students move seamlessly from the bridge component of the program to the master’s degree program without the need to reapply to the graduate phase of the program or to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Innovative Programs

Our bridge program is absolutely one-of-a kind. You won’t find another one in the United States! Courses are offered entirely online with 2-3 visits to campus over the duration of the program for orientation and thesis research and presentation. You will learn required dates well in advance because our faculty and staff are sensitive to your scheduling challenges.

Using the latest in online technology, some classes will occasionally include live web conferences in the evening. A schedule for these sessions is published at the beginning of the semester so that you can plan accordingly.

Careers

With a degree from MCPHS Online, you can advance beyond a career in clinical practice and find employment and leadership roles in state- and community-based public health administration, dental professional education, dental industry marketing and product development, research, and public and private health agencies and organizations.

Prerequisites

For admission to the program, an applicant must have:

• Graduated from dental hygiene program accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation
• Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in dental hygiene program courses
• Completed one year of work experience in health care
• Successfully completed the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination
• A license to practice dental hygiene or eligibility for licensure in at least one jurisdiction in the U.S. or Canada
• Achieved a minimum score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as detailed in the current MCPHS College Catalog
• Completed the application for admission as described in the current MCPHS College Catalog

Curriculum

Associate Degree (AD) Bridge Curriculum

Master of Science Degree (MS) Curriculum

Concentration Courses

Dental Hygiene Education

Concentration Courses

Community Oral Health

Tuition & Fees

Students enrolled in the bridge program during the 2012–2013 academic year will pay $850/credit hour.

There are no fees for MCPHS Online students in the 2012–2013 academic year.

Financial Aid

An education is an investment. And we don’t think you’ll find a better return on your investment than by earning your degree from MCPHS. Our Office of Student Financial Services (SFS) is available to guide students through the process of securing funding to cover education costs. A dedicated staff member will help you apply for financial aid, review all sources of funding available to you and assist you with completing the paperwork necessary for disbursement.

For more information, contact Student Financial Services at 603.314.1729.

Next Steps

If you are applying for admission to MCPHS Online for 2012, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The MCPHS college code for the FAFSA is 002165. You do not need to be accepted at the College in order to apply.

Admission

Once your application is received, the Admission Office will notify you of any missing items that we require for your application to be considered complete. We review all files on a "rolling basis" and will make a decision once all application materials are received.

Priority Filing Date

The priority filing date for this program is June 1 each year for a fall semester start. We continue to review applications until all available seats in the program have been filled. MCPHS Online is now accepting applications for a fall 2012 start.

Additional Links

• Application Requirements
• Recommendation Form

Questions?

Feel free to call 617.879.5022 or e-mail us with any questions you have about the application process.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

• Will I have to travel to MCPHS during the program?
• Do I need to take an entrance exam?
• Is there a minimum grade point average (GPA) for admission?
• Are international students eligible for admission?
• How long is the program?
• Is there financial assistance for students in the bridge program?
• What is expected of the online student?
• What if I have other non-admission questions?
• Why should I choose Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene to continue my education?

 

Will I have to travel to MCPHS during the program?

We created the bridge program for practicing professionals and those with family obligations.

• Recognizing this, a limited number of on-campus visits are required, and we do believe they are essential to the student’s success
• Most coursework is online, although you may need to work on some course projects in your community

Bridge Program:

Each student must attend an on-campus orientation before beginning the bridge program. This orientation is a two-day meeting in Boston in late August.

Once the student completes the bridge courses, the following visits apply to the graduate program:

• Each student must attend an on-campus orientation to the graduate program, usually 2 or 3 day meeting in Boston in August.
• One visit to work with the student’s thesis advisor may be necessary
• The student must present the thesis in person at the conclusion of the program
• Graduation, scheduled each year in May and December, is a wonderful occasion to celebrate your success. We hope you will attend, but it is an optional event.

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Do I need to take an entrance exam?

The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination substitutes as an entrance exam for the bridge program. We do not require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or any other exam for admission to the graduate program.

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Is there a minimum grade point average (GPA) for admission?

An applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in dental hygiene courses earned in an accredited dental hygiene program. There is no GPA requirement for other course credits earned.

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Are international students eligible for admission?

Canadian students are automatically qualified because of dental hygiene program accreditation. We consider applicants from other countries individually, based on the equivalency of dental hygiene education/practice experience and English language abilities.

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How long is the program?

• The student may complete the bridge program in 3 semesters, a year and a half, by enrolling in 2 courses each semester
• The student who attends the graduate program full-time (2 courses per semester) may finish that curriculum in two and a half years
• Each student has the option of enrolling in 1 course per semester, or part-time, which takes more time to finish but may be a better choice for the applicant who works longer hours or has other responsibilities

Each student must complete all required courses within 6 years.

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Is there financial assistance for students in the bridge program?

The bridge program is undergraduate study so several options for financial aid may be available. For details on these programs, contact the Office of Student Financial Services at 617.732.2864.

Students in the bridge program may qualify for scholarships offered by two professional organizations. Go to the American Dental Hygienists' Association Scholarship website or the American Dental Education Association Scholarship and Awards page for information.

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What is expected of the online student?

The student should anticipate spending about three hours per credit hour each week on learning activities. Faculty expects each student to access the course website no less than three times per week. For more information regarding the online education experience, we encourage you to visit our general FAQs section.

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What if I have other non-admission questions?

Feel free to contact the Graduate Program Director, Becky DeSpain Eden by e-mail at becky.eden@mcphs.edu or by phone at 617.735.1594.

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Why should I choose Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene to continue my education?

The Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene MS program at MCPHS follows the ADEA/ADHA Core Competencies for Graduate Dental Hygiene Education more closely than most other graduate dental hygiene programs. Click here for more information about Core Competencies.