Master of Science in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences

About the Program

The mission of the program is to contribute to the advancement of scientific research inquiry by training residents in oral and craniofacial, mineralized tissue and translational health sciences that will enhance their critical assessment of the literature and their evidence-based clinical practice skills.

Overall goals of the program

  • Produce graduates knowledgeable in advanced concepts and principles of biomaterials and oral and craniofacial biology
  • Train students to critically evaluate and apply scientific literature
  • Provide students basic research skills
  • Produce graduates who will advance scientific knowledge in oral and craniofacial health sciences

The program is designed for students concurrently enrolled in one of our advanced dental residency certificate programs: endodontics, orthodontics or periodontics.

Program info

Degree Requirements

The master's degree program takes an interdisciplinary approach to research and graduate education. Students will research in state-of-the-art laboratories assisted by faculty with a national reputation for high-level research and can expect advanced work in basic, behavioral and clinical sciences relating to dentistry.

The coursework and thesis present an opportunity for students to cross traditional departmental lines and undertake an interdisciplinary approach to the study of problems related to oral and craniofacial sciences. 

Students must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate coursework as outlined on their program of study while maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA. In addition to coursework, there are four major stages of the program that students must successfully complete:

  1. Qualifying exam, including a written research proposal and an oral presentation
  2. Research project
  3. Thesis
  4. Thesis defense

The oral and craniofacial graduate program director serves as the academic advisor throughout the program and will assist with the selection of a thesis committee chair. The selection process will be based on the student’s research interests, the various research opportunities and meetings with potential master's degree advisors. Once the committee chair is selected, the chair and the graduate program director will assist the student with selecting two or three additional faculty members to serve on the thesis committee.

Student outcomes

  • Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the link between scientific research and clinical healthcare practice
  • Conduct thorough literature reviews based on an understanding of periodical databases and scholarly journals in the health sciences; have the aptitude to assess the validity of literature and determine how it may be applied in both research and clinical settings
  • Demonstrate the ability to conduct original research projects, drawing on an understanding of the current literature, appropriate study design, methodologies and data analysis
  • Develop the capability to produce written materials that are clear, well-organized, insightful and drawn from evidence-based research
  • Employ the communications skills needed to successfully convey important scientific and clinical concepts in oral presentations and communications
  • Apply professional ethics with the highest standards of integrity in all facets of research

UMKC Catalog

Admissions

You must first be accepted into one of our graduate certificate programs: endodontics, orthodontics or periodontics to apply for the master's degree program. 

Additional requirements:

  • DDS, DMD or equivalent degree
  • Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA for all undergraduate work, including dental school
  • GRE score minimum
    • 150 quantitative
    • 155 verbal
    • 4.0 analytical writing

How to apply

Email Mary Walker, director of oral and craniofacial sciences graduate programs, for application instructions.

Once invited to apply, your application must include these items:

  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Official GRE scores (UMKC code: 6872)
  • Two letters of recommendation addressing your potential for the program

    • Have your references send your letters of recommendation to this address:
      Dr. M.P. Walker
      UMKC School of Dentistry
      650 East 25th St.
      Kansas City, MO 64108-2795

  • Personal statement covering your research experience, reason for pursuing the master's degree and your research interests
  • Resume or CV

Application deadline: Typically around March 1