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• > Degree Completion Program (BS Degree)

Bachelor of Science Degree Completion Program

The College of Health Sciences of Tennessee State University offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene through our Degree Completion Program.  A graduate of the degree completion curriculum in dental hygiene is qualified to be both a Clinical Dental Hygienist and a Dental Hygiene teacher or administrator among other options.  Settings in which the graduate may practice include Educational Programs: Local, State, and National, voluntary and Governmental Health Agencies, Hospitals, Clinics, and the Armed Forces.  Front and back of the BS Degree Completion brochure.  Applicants for this program must already be a Registered Dental Hygienist.

Acceptance into the Degree Completion Program may be accomplished by: (1) meeting the requirements for admission into the AAS Degree Program as a first-year student; or (2) meeting the requirements for admission at the third-year level. Applicants entering the program at the junior level must submit the following data and meet the following criteria:

1. A 2.0 grade point average in clinical dental hygiene courses and a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. (Applicants with grade point averages higher than the minimum may be given priority in acceptance.)
2. Two letters of recommendation from dental hygiene faculty persons who taught the applicant. One letter must attest to the clinical competencies of the applicant.
3. Official college transcript (s).
4. A complete health evaluation on the official forms provided by the Department of Dental Hygiene.
5. A personal interview with members of the Committee on Admissions. An interview may be arranged for an applicant living beyond 300 miles from the University.
6. The following advanced Dental Hygiene courses require National Board Certification and/or Tennessee licensure: DHYG 3010, 4020, 4110, and 4120.

Degree Completion Courses

Courses	Hours
DHYG 3010	3.0
HIST 2010	3.0
MATH 1110	3.0
ENGL 1020	3.0
DHYG 4120	3.0
PSYC 2180	3.0
DHYG 4020	3.0
ENGL 2010	3.0
HIST 2020	3.0
Humanities/Fine Arts	3.0
EDCI 3870	3.0
HLSC 4900	3.0
HLSC 4500	3.0
HPER Activity	2.0
DHYG 1000 and 2000 (AAS Degree) *	79.0
Total Credit Hours Required for BS	120

*Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene must successfully complete 79 credit hours during the freshman and sophomore years. See the courses listed in the plan for AAS Degree in Dental Hygiene.

Forms	Adobe Acrobat Reader Format
Departmental Welcome	PDF
Application for Admission	PDF
Certificate of Immunization	PDF
Meningococcal M and Hepatitis B Form	PDF
Dental Examination Form	PDF
Medical Examination Form	PDF
BS Program of Study	PDF

Direct Correspondence to:

Dr. Marian Patton, Department Head

Accreditation
The Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (and has been granted the accreditation status of "approval without reporting requirements"). The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.

Statement of Affirmative Action 
Tennessee State University, in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex in any of its policies or procedures. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing assistance with these materials should contact the Department of Dental Hygiene.