The University of Pittsburgh Dental Hygiene Program subscribes to a rolling admissions policy. The Program offers admission to qualified applicants on an ongoing basis until the class is full. One class of 30 students is admitted each academic year in the fall term. It is therefore highly recommended that those seeking admission into the Dental Hygiene Program apply early.
Important Application Dates
The program application and all required components for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle must be submitted through our centralized application service ADEA DHCAS beginning October 26, 2024. The deadline to apply to the program is June 1, 2025.
Admission Requirements
- High school diploma
- Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT I) OPTIONAL: Individuals must achieve a combined score of 1200 or greater on the critical reading (verbal) and the quantitative (math) sections.
- American College Testing (ACT) OPTIONAL: Results can be substituted for the SAT. Individuals must achieve a composite score of 24 or higher.
- The University of Pittsburgh will continue its test-optional policy through fall 2028. Scores from the ACT or SAT exams will not be required for students applying to enter the program for fall 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028. This applies to both first-year and transfer students and includes international and homeschool students. Proof of English proficiency will continue to be required for international students (TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo). Please note that in the absence of SAT/ACT scores, the Admissions Committee will rely more heavily on other admissions factors and once a student's application is under review, their test-optional status cannot be changed.
- High school or post-secondary chemistry with a lab component achieving a final grade of B (84%) or above.
- High school or post-secondary biology with a lab component achieving a final grade of B (84%) or above.
- High school GPA of 3.00 or above.
- Minimum combined GPA of 3.00 at all post-secondary academic institutions attended.
- 15 hours of job shadowing with a practicing dental hygienist. Submit Job Shadowing Form through DHCAS.
- Virtual personal interview with Admission Committee members (by invitation only).
- Submission of three professional references.
- Submission of applicant essay.
- Submission of University supplemental $35.00 application fee.
- College level English Composition, Introduction to Sociology, Introduction to Psychology and Public Speaking courses must be completed by the end of the summer term of the first academic year and the student must achieve a final grade of B- or better. It is strongly recommended that these courses be completed prior to entry into the Program.
Personal Interview
Virtual personal interviews are a requirement for admission. Interviews are by invitation only and sent after thorough review of all submitted material. The interview is comprised of members of the Admissions Committee. Personal interviews do not guarantee admission.
Procedure for Selection
The University of Pittsburgh Dental Hygiene Program subscribes to a rolling admissions policy. Careful review of applications is ongoing as applicant files are received. Consideration is given only to candidates who have submitted a completed DHCAS application and University supplemental application fee.
Essential Program Standards
Offers of admission are contingent upon the applicant's ability to fulfill the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine Essential Program Standards.
Deposit
If an applicant is offered admission to the program, an enrollment deposit in the amount of $200.00 is required. All deposits are non-refundable. Upon matriculation, all deposits will be credited towards tuition costs.
Veteran Applicants
The University of Pittsburgh Dental Hygiene Program encourages applications from qualified men and women who have actively served in the United States military. Our goal is to make the transition from active duty to full-time college student as seamless as possible. Your first step towards applying to the Dental Hygiene Program would be to complete all application materials listed above. We encourage all veteran applicants to contact the University of Pittsburgh Office of Veterans Services as soon as possible to discuss their military educational benefits.
International Applicants
We welcome international students to apply to the Program and strive to make the application process as smooth as possible. It is to your advantage to plan ahead and submit your application and required materials as soon as possible, especially if you are pursuing a visa.
In addition to completing and submitting the application materials listed above, international applicants are required to submit an official credential evaluation of all international documents (e.g. transcripts, marksheets, certificates and examination results) from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE).
You may contact ECE at:
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
www.ece.org
eval@ece.org
414-289-3400
Fax: 414-289-3411
Citizens of countries where English is not the official language (including the Province of Quebec, Canada) are required to submit English language proficiency scores through TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo results. There are some instances where this requirement may be waived. Applicants must submit scores that are less than 2 years old from one of the following:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
A TOEFL composite score of 95 or higher with subscores of 20 or higher is required for admission to the Dental Hygiene Program.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
A IELTS score of 7.0 with subscores of 6.0 or higher is required for admission to the Dental Hygiene Program.
Duolingo
A Duolingo score of 125 or higher is required for admission to the Dental Hygiene Program.
Conditional admission is not an option for students applying to the University of Pittsburgh Dental Hygiene Program. International applicants must apply for admission, meet the criteria for acceptance, and be offered admission into the Dental Hygiene Program.
Financial Support
It is recommended strongly that international students review the Information Regarding Financial Support document prior to accepting a position in the Dental Hygiene Program. It is important to understand all program costs associated with enrollment at the University of Pittsburgh since financial aid and scholarship options are not available to international students.
Acceptance
After acceptance into the Dental Hygiene Program, students are required to complete the following.
1. Background Checks
The University of Pittsburgh Dental Hygiene Program requires all incoming first year students to complete and submit clearance forms. The following PA Act 153 clearances and background checks are required prior to matriculation; and as a condition of enrollment; PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Criminal Record Check, PA Child Abuse. These forms must be submitted no later than the first day of fall term classes.
2. Immunizations
The University of Pittsburgh Dental Hygiene Program requires all incoming first year students to complete and submit a Physical and Immunization Record no later than the first day of fall term classes. By University of Pittsburgh policy, all students will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and have proof of vaccination prior to matriculation into the program. Yearly tuberculin testing may be required for students rotating through select UPMC patient care facilities. All students must carry health insurance to cover hospitalization and physician fees during training.
3. Infectious and Bloodborne Disease
Exposure to human bloodborne and/or other potentially infectious materials is probable or possible during the provision of patient care. Therefore, prior to entry into the program students must present evidence of HBV immunization or serologic evidence of protective antibody titer against hepatitis B virus disease (HBV) and successfully complete School of Dental Medicine training to prevent or minimize exposure. The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and the Dental Hygiene Program strictly follow CDC, OSHA and institutional guidelines to protect students and patients from potential harmful exposures. This includes compliance with institutional, local, state and federal regulations regarding bloodborne pathogens, ionizing radiation and hazardous materials.
4. Technology Requirements
All Pitt Dental Medicine students are required to have a laptop with up-to-date technical specifications. Tablets are not compatible with the required technology.
These requirements must be met in order to use our electronic testing solution, ExamSoft. For more information, please visit the ExamSoft support site for detailed Mac and Windows minimum system requirements.
The University Store on Fifth offers discounts to Pitt students on select Apple and Dell products. Additionally, the University of Pittsburgh has more than 100 software packages available to students at little or no cost.