Application Deadlines
The Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences will provide guidance to the potential applicant who has already been accepted in a UMKC SOD residency program (Endodontics, Orthodontics, Periodontics) in terms of the application deadline for Summer Semester (typically around Mar 1).
Application Criteria
The OCS MS program is designed for applicants, who will be concurrently enrolled in a dental residency program. To be eligible for a dental residency program, you must be a US citizen or permanent resident with a DDS or DMD degree from an institution accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation or the Canadian Dental Accrediting Commission.
Applicants must:
- Have a DDS/DMD or equivalent degree.
- A minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 for all undergraduate work including dental school.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE), with the following minimum scores:
GRE Score Requirements:
Quantitative 150
Verbal 155
Analytical Writing 4.0
Application Procedures
Interested students should apply to the OCS MS program after being accepted into the dental residency program (Endodontics, Orthodontics, Periodontics). After you have been accepted, contact Dr. Mary Walker regarding your interest. You will receive specific guidance on the application process.
OCS MS application must include:
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
- Official GRE scores
- Two letters of recommendation that address your potential for the OCS program.
- Personal Statement: Indicating your past research experience, your reason for pursuing the Oral and Craniofacial Sciences MS degree and your possible research interests.
- Resume/CV
Recommendation letters may be addressed to:
Dr. M.P. Walker, Director of Oral & Craniofacial Sciences Graduate Programs
UMKC School of Dentistry
650 East 25th Street
Kansas City, MO 64108-2795
Program Requirements
To successfully graduate from the Oral & Craniofacial Sciences MS program, 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 Oral & Craniofacial Sciences (OCS) MS program that students must successfully complete:
- Qualifying Exam: Written Component-Research Proposal and Oral Component-Presentation/Exam
- Research Project
- Thesis
- Thesis Defense
The OCS Graduate Program Director will serve as the student’s 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 MS degree advisors. Once the committee chair is selected, the chair and the OCS Graduate Program Director will assist the student with selecting two or three additional faculty members to serve on the thesis committee.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the OCS MS program requirements, the student will be able to do the following
- Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the link between scientific research and clinical health care 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
