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 hour credit hour graduate program and core curriculum is offered completely online – allowing individuals to advance their degree without having to sacrifice moving from their current place of residence. Students may also reside in the Kansas City area and be considered “onsite” students. However, these students also take their courses in an online format. 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

Mission Statement and Goals
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 diverse innovative career opportunities.

Research

• To advance the art and science of dental hygiene.

Education

• To provide enlightened and able graduates who have the potential to provide leadership in dental hygiene education.

Community

• To take an active role in effecting solutions to community problems and needs that will improve the health of all citizens.

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

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.umkcgetalife.com/apply.html
• 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)
  • An area of interest sheet.
  • 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.

Core Curriculum
Denotes online courses

Required Courses		Credit Hours
DH4020	Local Anesthesia and Pain Control	2
DH4040	Introduction to Research and Instruction	2
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)	1
RESM704	Introduction to Biostatistics*	3
Total Credit Hours		23-36

It is highly recommended that the student take the following:

DHGR512	Student Teaching and Conference II	2-4
DHGR532	Clinical Instruction and Conference II	2-4

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 at http://web2.umkc.edu/catalog/

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.