Dental Hygiene

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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2024-2025

School of Dentistry

Program description

The Dental Hygiene program, established in 1969, offers courses leading to a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. The program requires two years of liberal arts study, with a minimum of 60 semester hours, followed by two years of study focusing on basic and dental sciences, dental hygiene science and theory, community health, and pre-clinic and clinical experiences. The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible for national, regional, and state board licensing examinations.

Career opportunities

Employment of dental hygienists, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, is projected to grow 19 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Ongoing research linking oral health to general health will continue to spur demand for preventive dental services, which are provided by dental hygienists. Follow these links to learn more about professional opportunities for dental hygienists: occupational outlook, ADHA career center, my Dental Jobs, and ADA career center.

Change of major requirements

The dental hygiene program at VCU participates in the ADEA Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service (DHCAS). Applicants are invited to apply via ADEA DHCAS to provide the program with accurate, streamlined, and uniform data. For consideration, all application materials must be received by DHCAS by the due date.

Bachelor-level job titles

Dental Hygienist

Graduate and professional level job titles

Dental Hygienist

Professional associations and resources

Degree requirements in Bulletin

Dental Hygiene, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Plan of study in Bulletin

Dental Hygiene, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Requirements

Highest level of math required

MATH 151
STAT 210

Science required

5+ additional science courses

Foreign language requirements

Additional tuition/fees

GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)

A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5+ based on a four-point scale and a minimum GPA of 2.7+ in math/science courses to declare. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5+ to graduate.

Transfer Maps

View Transfer Maps for this major

Contact information

Department name:

Dental Hygiene Program

Contact name:

Tammy Swecker

Building/room location:

520 North 12th Street #409, Richmond, VA 23298

Phone:

(804) 828-9096

Email:

dhinfo@vcu.edu

https://dentistry.vcu.edu/programs/dentalhygiene/

Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):

MCV

Major map

Year 1

Explore

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals.
Map out a 4-year course plan in the DegreeWorks Student Educational Planner.
Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills.
Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and choose electives.
Sharpen your study skills in supplemental instruction sessions at the Campus Learning Center.
Attend an open house for the Dental Hygiene program.
Meet with your pre-health advisor.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Apply to live in a Living-Learning Community.
Consider applying to the Honors College.
Get involved, meet people, and develop your interests by joining one of VCU's 50 student clubs and organizations.
If living on campus, connect with your Resident Assistant, attend hall events, and participate in Community Council.
Participate in RAM CAMP to get a jump start on learning about VCU’s campus community.
Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
Participate in community service and volunteer opportunities.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Check out the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and follow @vcuomsa.
Join RAMmalogues to talk with peers about social identities in the context of acceptance, belonging, and inclusion in life at VCU.
Review Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities.
Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
If eligible, consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
Seek research opportunities by applying for research funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
Set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center to explore REAL opportunities.
Shadow in a dental office.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow to connect with VCU traditions and alumni networking opportunities.
Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.

Year 2

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center.
Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes.
Attend an open house for the Dental Hygiene program.
Meet with your pre-health advisor.
VIsit the Dental Hygiene Program website and begin the application process in fall.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
If living on campus, join the Residence Hall Association.
Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience in Cary & Belvedere.
Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
Participate in community service and volunteer opportunities.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses.
Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty.
Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job.
Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio.
Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
Shadow in a dental office.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
Meet with a coach in the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.

Year 3

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
Meet with the Dental School Dean of Student Success as needed
Meet with your assigned faculty advisor.
Utilize the Division of Academic Success.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
Design a community-engaged research project.
Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship.
Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
Become a member of the student professional organization.
Participate in community service and volunteer opportunities.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer.
Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
Get expert advice from VCU Alumni ranging from graduate school to your career simply by asking a question through Ask A Ram.
Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor.
Participate in external and internal patient care rotations.
Participate in patient care clinics.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services.
Make a plan with your advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year.

Year 4

Excel

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
Meet with the Dental School Dean of Student Success as needed.
Meet with your assigned faculty advisor.
Utilize the Division of Academic Success.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps.
Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
Participate in community service and volunteer opportunities.
Participate in student professional organizations.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations.
Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation.
Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools.
Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
Participate in internal and external service-learning patient care rotations as scheduled.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
Prepare for licensure exams and licensure application.

Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2024-2025

Dental Hygiene

School of Dentistry

Concentration(s):

No concentration

		MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING	GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY	DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY	EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS	PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore	Year 1	Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals. Map out a 4-year course plan in the DegreeWorks Student Educational Planner. Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills. Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and choose electives. Sharpen your study skills in supplemental instruction sessions at the Campus Learning Center. Attend an open house for the Dental Hygiene program. Meet with your pre-health advisor.	Apply to live in a Living-Learning Community. Consider applying to the Honors College. Get involved, meet people, and develop your interests by joining one of VCU's 50 student clubs and organizations. If living on campus, connect with your Resident Assistant, attend hall events, and participate in Community Council. Participate in RAM CAMP to get a jump start on learning about VCU’s campus community. Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks. Participate in community service and volunteer opportunities.	Check out the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and follow @vcuomsa. Join RAMmalogues to talk with peers about social identities in the context of acceptance, belonging, and inclusion in life at VCU. Review Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities. Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101.	Activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists. Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader. If eligible, consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake. Seek research opportunities by applying for research funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. Set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center to explore REAL opportunities. Shadow in a dental office.	Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future. Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page. Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study. Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow to connect with VCU traditions and alumni networking opportunities. Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
Experience	Year 2	Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center. Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience. Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes. Attend an open house for the Dental Hygiene program. Meet with your pre-health advisor. VIsit the Dental Hygiene Program website and begin the application process in fall.	Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty. If living on campus, join the Residence Hall Association. Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience in Cary & Belvedere. Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit. Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities. Participate in community service and volunteer opportunities.	Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship. Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses. Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty. Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.	Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events. Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field. Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job. Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio. Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value. Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work. Shadow in a dental office.	Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page. Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest. Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships. Meet with a coach in the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
Experience	Year 3	Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning. See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning. Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help. Meet with the Dental School Dean of Student Success as needed Meet with your assigned faculty advisor. Utilize the Division of Academic Success.	Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions. Design a community-engaged research project. Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship. Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU. Become a member of the student professional organization. Participate in community service and volunteer opportunities.	Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning. Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals. Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer. Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume.	Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience. Get expert advice from VCU Alumni ranging from graduate school to your career simply by asking a question through Ask A Ram. Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor. Participate in external and internal patient care rotations. Participate in patient care clinics.	Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation. Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services. Make a plan with your advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship. Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility. Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year.
Excel	Year 4	Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree. Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met. Meet with the Dental School Dean of Student Success as needed. Meet with your assigned faculty advisor. Utilize the Division of Academic Success.	Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps. Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships. Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization. Participate in community service and volunteer opportunities. Participate in student professional organizations.	Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners. Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations. Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation. Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.	Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools. Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers. Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity. Participate in internal and external service-learning patient care rotations as scheduled.	Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter. Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities. Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation. Prepare for licensure exams and licensure application.