M.S. in Clinical Investigation and Development
The M.S. in Clinical Investigation and Development is a 36-credit master's degree p...
B.S. in Dental Hygiene, Accelerated
Boston
INTAKE: Jan & Sept
Program Overview
The B.S. in Dental Hygiene, Accelerated, at MCPHS is a 33-month, year-round program primarily offered at the Boston campus. It's designed for motivated students, including direct-entry freshmen and transfer students, who wish to enter the dental hygiene profession quickly. The program focuses on providing a comprehensive, science-based education integrated with extensive practical clinical experience. The objective is to produce highly competent, ethical, and compassionate dental hygienists prepared to address the diverse oral health needs of individuals and communities, thereby playing a crucial role in preventative healthcare.
Curriculum: The 120-credit curriculum for the B.S. in Dental Hygiene, Accelerated, is structured to provide a robust and integrated learning experience over its 33-month duration. The first year establishes foundational knowledge with courses such as Anatomy & Physiology I & II (with labs), Basic Chemistry I & II (with labs), Microbiology (with lab), Mathematics for Dental Hygienists, Expository Writing I & II, and Introduction to Psychology. The second year delves into specialized dental hygiene content, including Dental Anatomy, Embryology and Histology, Head and Neck Anatomy, Dental Radiology, Dental Materials, Periodontology, Pathology, and the initial phases of the Dental Hygiene Process of Care and Pre-Clinical Laboratory. The third year advances with further Dental Hygiene Process of Care courses, extensive Clinical Dental Hygiene practice, Pharmacology, Community Oral Health, Pain Management, Practice and Career Management, Healthcare Ethics, and culminates in a Capstone Leadership in Dental Hygiene project. The curriculum also includes general education electives that broaden students' perspectives.
Research Focus: The B.S. in Dental Hygiene, Accelerated, at MCPHS integrates a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice and research literacy. While its primary goal is to train clinical practitioners, the curriculum includes specific coursework like "Oral Health Research," which introduces students to the methodologies of scientific inquiry relevant to dental hygiene. Students are taught to critically analyze existing research, understand its implications for clinical practice, and apply evidence to inform their patient care decisions. The program fosters a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation to new scientific advancements. The Capstone Leadership in Dental Hygiene project often allows students to engage in a form of applied research, investigating current issues or proposing improvements within the dental hygiene field.
Industry Engagement: MCPHS demonstrates exceptional industry engagement for its Accelerated Dental Hygiene program through the historically significant Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene. Students benefit immensely from extensive, hands-on clinical experiences within the state-of-the-art Dr. Esther M. Wilkins Forsyth Dental Hygiene Clinic located on campus. Here, they provide direct patient care under the close supervision of experienced faculty, many of whom are actively practicing professionals. Beyond the on-campus clinic, the program also facilitates clinical rotations at various external community facilities, providing exposure to diverse patient populations and real-world practice environments. This strong network of affiliations ensures that the curriculum is current with industry standards and that graduates emerge with practical skills and valuable professional connections, ready for immediate employment.
Global Perspective: The B.S. in Dental Hygiene, Accelerated, at MCPHS inherently integrates a global perspective by fostering an understanding of universal principles of oral health and its profound connection to overall systemic well-being, which is relevant across all populations worldwide. The curriculum encourages students to develop cultural competence, enabling them to identify and address the oral health needs of diverse patient populations ethically and effectively. While the primary clinical training is conducted within the U.S. healthcare system, the broader understanding of public health concepts within the curriculum, coupled with MCPHS's diverse international student body and faculty, enriches discussions on global health disparities and the crucial role dental hygiene plays in improving health outcomes on an international scale. The program's foundational principles prepare graduates to contribute to global health initiatives, even if their practice remains local.
Location
Boston
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 52210
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 65% or above in their previous academic qualifications.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 58 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 105.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) in the United States offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically designed for international students to help make their education more affordable and accessible.
Merit-Based Scholarships: MCPHS provides merit-based scholarships that reward outstanding academic performance. International students with strong academic records, competitive test scores, and leadership potential may qualify for these scholarships, which can cover a significant portion of tuition fees.
Need-Based Financial Aid: While limited, some need-based scholarships and financial aid options are available to international students who demonstrate financial need. Applicants must provide evidence of their financial status and submit the required documentation during the admission process.
Program-Specific Scholarships: Certain colleges and departments within MCPHS offer specialized scholarships tailored to specific health science programs such as Pharmacy, Nursing, Physician Assistant Studies, and Public Health. These scholarships often prioritize candidates pursuing high-demand healthcare fields.
International Student Scholarship Opportunities: MCPHS frequently offers dedicated international student scholarships aimed at encouraging a diverse student body. These scholarships are competitive and awarded based on academic merit, leadership, and contributions to the community.
External Scholarships and Partnerships: International students at MCPHS are encouraged to explore external scholarship programs and partnerships offered by governments, private foundations, and international organizations.
Graduates of MCPHS's B.S. in Dental Hygiene (Accelerated) are highly skilled and adaptable professionals ready to make an immediate impact in diverse oral healthcare settings.
Clinical Dental Hygienist (Private Practice): The most common role, providing preventive oral healthcare services such as professional cleanings, X-rays, fluoride treatments, and oral hygiene instruction in private dental offices.
Public Health Dental Hygienist: Works in community clinics, schools, or government programs to provide oral health education, screenings, and preventive services to underserved populations, focusing on improving community oral health outcomes.
Dental Hygiene Educator/Clinical Instructor: Teaches and mentors aspiring dental hygienists in academic programs at colleges and universities, providing both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical supervision.
Dental Product Sales Representative: Leverages clinical knowledge to educate dentists and other dental professionals about new dental products, equipment, and technologies, working for manufacturing or distribution companies.
Corporate Educator/Trainer: Develops and delivers training programs for dental sales teams, dental practices, or within dental product companies, sharing expertise on product usage, clinical techniques, or industry trends.
Dental Office Manager/Administrator: Oversees the administrative and operational aspects of a dental practice, managing staff, scheduling, billing, and ensuring efficient patient flow and quality care.
Dental Hygiene Researcher: Conducts studies to advance the science and practice of dental hygiene, evaluating new techniques, products, or interventions in academic institutions, corporations, or public health organizations.
Periodontal Co-Therapist: Works collaboratively with a periodontist, specializing in the management and treatment of gum diseases, often involving advanced scaling and root planing, and patient education on periodontal health.
Mobile Dental Hygienist/Independent Practitioner (where permissible by state law): Operates a mobile dental hygiene service or an independent practice, providing services to patients in settings like nursing homes, schools, or homebound individuals, increasing access to care in diverse communities.
Dental Consultant: Provides expertise to dental practices on improving clinical efficiency, patient care protocols, practice management, or adopting new technologies and services, often as an independent consultant or part of a consulting firm.
