Master of Science in Dental Hygiene
Program Overview
The Master of Science Degree program in Dental Hygiene Education at the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) prepares students for careers in dental hygiene education. The 36 credit hour graduate program and core curriculum is offered through a combination of distance and onsite teaching and learning modalities. Out of state students who complete coursework on a part-time basis are eligible for in-state tuition. To be eligible for this, the student must enroll in no more than 6 credit hours in the fall and spring semesters and no more than 3 credit hours in the summer.
The curriculum provides academic experiences based on the career goals and interest of the graduate student. Although the curriculum is focused on preparing the student for a career in dental hygiene education, elective courses may be taken in research, gerontology, special patient care, health services administration, and community dental health, through a personalized approach – pursuing excellence together.
The graduate program has a thesis or non-thesis option. The completion of a thesis or non -thesis research project (manuscript ready for publication) is required as part of the graduate student’s academic program. The core curriculum is completed online with the exception of two (3 credit hour) courses - Research Methodology and Biostatistics/ Statistics. These must be taken and transferred in from an accredited institution. However, these two courses are offered onsite at UMKC SOD. Full time students are required to attend a minimum of two academic years.
• Mission Statement and Goals
• Admission Requirements
• Program Requirements
• Core Curriculum
• Financial Aid specifically for dental hygiene student
• Financial Aid and Scholarships
• Determining if Online Learning is for You
• Tips for Online Success
• Computer System Requirements for Online Courses
• Graduation Requirements
• Contact Information
• Policy related to individuals with bloodborne infectious disease
• Students’ Right-to-Know Statement
• Statement of Human Rights
We share our mission and goals as constant reminders of what we are striving to achieve.
To enrich dental hygienists through a collaborative challenging experience resulting in competent graduates able to pursue advanced and/or alternative career opportunities.
Research
- To be knowledgeable in utilizing and applying research to provide evidence based patient specific care.
- To realize the importance of dental hygiene/dental research in the development of a competent oral health care professional.
- To successfully apply critical thinking skills
Career Opportunities
- To explore possible alternative career options inside and outside of the dental field.
- To provide graduates the credentials to pursue a variety of alternative health/oral health careers.
- To foster student commitment to lifelong learning and career development
Community
- To take an active role in effecting solutions to community problems and needs that will improve the access to care and ultimately the health of all citizens.
- Advance student awareness of providing care to an increasingly diverse patient population in private/public/community health settings.
- Become an active participant in a global community of professionals by developing leadership skills that allow for involvement in interprofessional responsibilities and activities.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a graduate from an accredited school or program of dental hygiene (students enrolled in a program, but near graduation may still apply)
- Have a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university (in dental hygiene or other field)
- Have a satisfactory academic record
Application Materials
The required application materials include:
- Application for admission to the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a non-refundable $35.00 application fee for online applications, $45.00 paper application. www.umkc.edu/apply
**Web browsers for the online application: Microsoft Windows users will get the best results by using Internet Explorer version 7.0 OR Mozilla Firefox version 3.5 or later. Apple users will get the best results using Safari versin 3.0 or later OR Mozilla Firefox 3.5 or later.
- Supplemental application to the Division of Dental Hygiene. In addition to the supplemental application, the packet includes:
- Narrative Statement
- Three reference forms (one must be from the director of the accredited dental hygiene attended)
- Official transcripts of all previous academic work.
Click here to download application packet.
The deadline for applications is February 1, for classes beginning in the fall semester of each year. Upon receipt of all required application materials the applicant will be notified. Admission into the graduate dental hygiene program is on a competitive basis, qualified applicant will be contacted for a personal interview with the Graduate Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee.
Out of state students who complete coursework on a part-time basis are eligible for in-state tuition. To be eligible for this, the student must enroll in no more than 6 credit hours in the fall and spring semesters and no more than 3 credit hours in the summer.
Program Requirements
Core curriculum courses are taken in conjunction with students enrolled in the UMKC degree-completion program. In addition to a UMKC campus program orientation (usually in August), online students are required to attend on average, one campus class session per semester, held on the UMKC campus during their first year in the program - typically constituting a long weekend. Additional on- site campus visits for the graduate student are determined between the research committee chair and the student. The student is encouraged to attend another on-campus visit as their research project deems necessary.
Required Courses |
Credit Hours |
|
DH4020 |
Local Anesthesia and Pain Control |
2 |
DH4040 |
Introduction to Research and Instruction |
|
DHGR500 |
Introduction to Educational Methodologies |
3 |
DHGR510 |
Student Teaching and Conference I |
2-4 |
DHGR516 |
Special Issues in Higher Education |
3 |
DHGR530 |
Clinical Instruction and Conference I |
2-4 |
DHGR553 |
Evidenced Based Decision Making in the Practice of Clinical Dental Hygiene |
2 |
DHGR595 |
Scientific Writing |
2 |
DHGR599 |
Research and Thesis |
1-6 |
RESM700 |
Introduction to Research Methodology * |
3 |
RESM703 |
Thesis Writing (thesis option only) |
|
RESM704 |
Introduction to Biostatistics* |
|
Total Credit Hours |
|
|
It is highly recommended that the student take the following:
 DHGR512 |
Student Teaching and Conference II |
2-4 |
|
Clinical Instruction and Conference II |
|
For students who do not reside in the Kansas City area (online students) some courses (DHGR510 Student Teaching and Conference I and DHGR530 Clinical Instruction and Conference I) require teaching (didactic or clinically) at a college/university setting other than UMKC. In those cases, an affiliation agreement is required. It is the student's responsibility to get permission from the sponsoring institution to teach in their facility. Once the student has initiated contact, the UMKC program director will contact the program director of the sponsoring institution.
* For students not in the Kansas City area (online students) six of the 36 credit hours must be transferred in from an other institution. The six transfer credits must include a 3 credit hour course in Research Methodology and a 3 credit hour course in Biostatistics/Statistics. Both courses must be at the graduate level and need to be approved by the program director. Prospective applicants will need to contact the program director for advising.
The total number of credit hours required for completion of the Master of Science Degree Program in Dental Hygiene Education is 36 credit hours for either the thesis or the non-thesis option. The 36 hours include the UMKC Division of Dental Hygiene Core Curriculum (required courses).
Tuition and Fees
Out of state students who complete coursework on a part-time basis are eligible for in-state tuition. To be eligible for this, the student must enroll in no more than 6 credit hours in the fall and spring semesters and no more than 3 credit hours in the summer. Tuition and fees
Typical Dental Hygiene Electives Credit Hours
DHGR512 |
Student Teaching and Conference II |
2-4 |
DHGR532 |
Clinical Instruction and Conference II |
2-4 |
DHGR560 |
Practicum in Clinical Supervision Management |
2-4 |
DHGR565 |
Advanced Special Patient Care Practicum I |
2-4 |
DHGR566 |
Advanced Special Patient Care Practicum II |
2-4 |
DHGR570 |
Administrative Practicum |
1-4 |
DHGR590 |
Independent Study |
1-4 |
D537 |
Oral Oncology |
1 |
DH4750 |
Geriatric Oral Health Promotion & Education |
1-5 |
Descriptions of coursework for the Graduate Gerontology Certificate can be obtained through the program director. Or follow this link.
Typical School of Education Graduate Level Electives
Principles of Testing
Foundations of School Leadership and Organization
Sociology of the Non-Motivated Leaner
Differentiating Instruction Through Teaching/Learning Styles
Developing Multi-Disciplinary Problem Solving Skills
The College Student/Student Development Theory
Analysis of Educational Arguments
Philosophical Foundations of Education
School Finance
Governmental and Legal Aspects of Education
Public Relations in Educational Leadership
Planning Educational Facilities
Group Process in Education/ Educational Technology
The Organization and Administration of Higher Education
Student Personnel Service in Higher Education
Theory in Educational Administration
Typical School of Business and Public Administration
Graduate Level Electives
Medical care Organization
Health Facilities Administration
Mental Health Organization and Management
Cultural Aspects of Administration
Organizational Behavior
The Administration Process
Theory of Communication
Public Health Issues, Organization and Management
The Politics of Administration/Public Management
Urban Policy and Administration/Public Policy Evaluation and Analysis
Community Organization and Public Policy
Human Services Policy and Implementation Management of National Programs
Seminar in Public Affairs
Course description for required and elective coursework may be found on the University of Missouri-Kansas City website, located here.
Graduation Requirements
1. A minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
2. Successful completion of 36 credit hours with a thesis or graduate research project option.
3. All other requirements for graduation as stated in the General Graduate Academic Regulations and Information section of the UMKC General Catalog. For more information - please visit www.umkc.edu/sgs
4. Prepare and present a table clinic at the Midwest Dental Conference. This is usually held during the Spring semester (March or April). Each student will present on their thesis or research project.
5. Successful completion of a portfolio as presented in DHGR516. The final portfolio must be turned into the program director 6 weeks prior to the student's anticipated graduation date.
Contact Information
Tanya Villalpando Mitchell, Director Graduate Studies
Division of Dental Hygiene, School of Dentistry
University of Missouri - Kansas City
650 East 25th Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
Feel free to call collect, (816) 235-2049
Or email villalpandot@umkc.edu
Policy related to individuals with bloodborne infectious disease
It is the responsibility of all health care workers (HCW) who perform exposure prone procedures to know their bloodborne pathogen status, specifically related to hepatitis B virus (HbV) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Further, it is the responsibility of the faculty, staff or student who tests positive for HIV or HbV to report test results to the Chair of the UMKC Infection Control Committee. An expert review panel will review the circumstances, if any, under which the individual may continue to perform exposure prone procedures.
For more information on the policies and procedures related to the presence of a bloodborne infectious disease, please contact the Dental Hygiene Program Director.
Students’ Right-to-Know Statement
In accordance with Public Law 101-542, UMKC reports 71% of its first-time freshmen return the second year. However, the UMKC School of Dentistry reports 96% of its first-time dental students return the second year. The UMKC Police Department publishes an annual campus report on personal safety and crime statistics. The report is available at the UMKC Police Department Office, 213 Student Services Building, 4825 Troost Building
Statement of Human Rights
The Board of Curators and UMKC are committed to the policy of no discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, or Vietnam Era Veterans’ status. The Affirmative Action Office, 356 Administration Center, 5115 Oak St., is responsible for all relevant programs. Call (816) 235-1323 for information. People with speech or hearing impairments may contact the University by using Relay Missouri, 1 800 735-2966(TT) or 1 800 735-2466 (Voice).