Program Overview

Now Accepting Applications for Spring 2024!

UNM offers a Master of Science in Dental Hygiene in continuation to the Bachelor's Degree in Dental Hygiene. The Master of Science Degree Program in Dental Hygiene is intended to develop dental hygienists to teach, develop dental health programs in a variety of settings, conduct research, and provide care as collaborative dental hygiene practitioners throughout New Mexico.

The accelerated online program for a Master of Science in Dental Hygiene launched in Fall 2022. See "Degree Requirements" tab for more information on admissions requirements and application deadlines. Tuition information is found on the "Program Details" tab.

Interested in dropping by for a Zoom session to hear more about our Accelerated Online Program with Director Christine Nathe? Click on a date and time that work for you! 

Click this link to join the meeting via Zoom: 
https://hsc-unm.zoom.us/j/92416808286

  • March 27th, 2024 @ 11:00 AM—12:00 PM
  • April 9th, 2024 @ 1:00 PM—2:00 PM
  • May 22nd, 2024 @ 12:00 PM—1:00 PM
  • June 26th, 2024 @ 11:00 AM— 12:00 PM

NOTE: The University of New Mexico cannot confirm whether this program leads to licensure or advanced certification in your home state. Before applying for admission, contact your state dental board to ensure that you are qualified to obtain a license or other form of certification upon completion of the program. 

Learning Goals

In your online coursework, you will build upon the knowledge gained in your baccalaureate work, including emphasis on the following areas:

  • Enhance decision-making skills by participating in graduate-level dental hygiene courses
  • Develop problem-solving skills for independent dental hygiene practice
  • Contribute to the dental hygiene scientific body of knowledge
  • Conduct research and theory development in the dental hygiene sciences
  • Participate in graduate dental hygiene internship experiences in educational settings, rural areas, industry and community outreach sites

Admissions

Tuition and Fees

The total cost per credit hour is $428.12 base tuition. There is a student technology fee charged each semester. It is $150 in the Fall, $150 in the Spring, and $20 in the Summer. There may be additional costs, depending on the class, for textbooks, supplemental course materials, and proctoring fees.

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission, all applicants must have: 

  • A current American dental hygiene license.
  • Proof from a school that is both Regionally and CODA-accredited that you possess either:
    • a bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene OR…
    • an associate degree/certificate in Dental Hygiene AND a bachelor’s degree in any science. 
  • An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale.

International Students: If you earned a degree in either Dentistry or Dental Hygiene from an institution outside of the United States or Canada, please reach out to our International Admissions & Recruitment Office, or email them at geo@unm.edu.

Application Procedures

The following must be completed by the deadlines listed below, for consideration for admission to the Dental Hygiene program for the Master of Science degree:

  • Proof of a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene or a related field, and in the latter case, proof of having completed an accredited certificate or associate degree program in dental hygiene. Official or unofficial college transcripts should be provided.
    • If needed, proof of completion of a certificate, associate or bachelor's degree program in dental hygiene that has been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and a regional accrediting agency.
    • Evidence of an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. 
  • Photocopy of National Dental Hygiene Board Examination results.
  • A copy of a current American dental hygiene license.
  • Interview with the Program Director (Once applications have been submitted, students are contacted to schedule this interview.)
  • A non-refundable application fee of $125 must be included with your application payable online at TouchNet.
  • All applications are reviewed once all required procedures are complete. Applications submitted without pieces will be incomplete and will not be considered.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall semester application deadline: July 31.
  • Spring semester application deadline: November 30.
  • Summer semester application deadline: April 30.

All applicants will be notified of their admission status. Selection will be given to qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, qualified disability, or military involvement. Equal opportunity for admission is given to all qualified applicants.

Degree Requirements

Degree Information

In order to graduate with a Master of Science in Dental Hygiene from UNM, a student must:

  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • Satisfactorily complete all graduate courses
  • All graduate work, including transferred coursework, must be completed within a seven-year period

About the Program

This program requires the successful completion of at least 30 credit hours of graduate-level course work (500-level) and the completion of a thesis or project. It offers innovative courses and an online curriculum.

Dental Hygiene Required Courses

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
DEHY 500Current Issues in Dental Hygiene3
DEHY 501Dental Hygiene Administration3
DEHY 502Instructional Strategies

3

DEHY 503Oral Medicine

3

DEHY 504Dental Hygiene Internship3
DEHY 505Clinical Teaching & Administration3
DEHY 510Dental Hygiene Research Methodology3
DEHY 538Problems: Statistics in Dental Hygiene Research3
DEHY 560Non-Thesis Project (or DEHY 599: Thesis)3
DEHY 599Thesis (or DEHY 560: Non-Thesis Project)1-6

Dental Hygiene Elective Courses

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
DEHY 507Problems1-3

NOTE: The University of New Mexico cannot confirm whether this program leads to licensure or advanced certification in your home state. Prior to applying for admission, contact your state dental board to assure that, upon completion of the program, you are qualified to obtain a license or other form of certification. If you need assistance contacting the licensing agency in your state, contact UNM Online at (866) 869-6040.

 

 Accelerated Online Program

At a Glance

Major Requirements: 30 Credit Hours
100% Online
Cost Per Credit Hour: $428.12
Length of Classes: 8 weeks each class

College/School: School of Medicine

Tuition: Program Details and Tuition & Fee Information.

Contact

Website: Department of Dental Medicine
Phone: Rick Robb or Olivia Torres-Jojola: (505) 277-9000
Email: online@unm.edu