High School Requirements
Preparation for the study of dental hygiene begins in high school. The prospective dental hygiene student should take the following high school subjects:
- English - 3 years
- Mathematics/Algebra - 2 years
- Biological Sciences (Biology) - 1 year
- Chemistry - 1 year
- Geometry - 1 year
- Foreign Language (suggested by not required) - 2 years
Please contact the dental hygiene program advisor for guidance.
College Requirements
| First Year - First Semester | ||
| Communication (Eng. Comp. 100 level) | 3 hours | |
| General Biology/Lab | 4 hours | |
| Human Behavior/Culture & Social Org. | 3 hours | |
| Introduction to Psychology | 4 hours | |
| Total | 14 hours | |
| First Year - Second Semester | ||
| Communication (Eng. Comp. 100 level) | 3 hours | |
| Biology of Microorganisms + Lab | 4 hours | |
| Communication (Speech) | 3 hours | |
| Introduction to Sociology | 3 hours | |
| First of 12-Hour Series | 3 hours | |
| Total | 16 hours | |
| Second Year - First Semester | ||
| General Chemistry I/Lab | 4 hours | |
| Humanities/Arts | 3 hours | |
| Humanities/Arts | 3 hours | |
| Nursing Anatomy + Lab | 5 hours | |
| Second of 12-Hour Series | 3 hours | |
| Total | 18 hours | |
| Second Year - Second Semester | ||
| General Chemistry II/Lab | 4 hours | |
| Human Physiology + Lab | 4 hours | |
| Nutrition | 3 hours | |
| Third of 12-Hour Series | 3 hours | |
| Fourth of 12-Hour Series | 3 hours | |
| Total | 17 hours |
Six credit hours must be completed in the Humanities & Arts (literature, philosophy, music/music history, history, religious studies, dance, photography, classics, art history, theatre arts, drawing) and three hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences/Human Behavior, Culture and Social Organization (psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, geography, gerontology, child youth & family studies, ethnic studies, women & gender studies). A 12-hour series must be completed in a specific area of study (must have the same course prefix for all courses being considered). The dental hygiene program advisor should be consulted for specific details.
Transfer Credit
All official transcripts from postsecondary institutions will be examined, and credit will be awarded according to UNMC policy. Usually, credit from any accredited institution of higher learning is accepted for transfer if successfully completed with a course grade of C or above. For two and four year institutions, transfer credit will be determined by the standards set forth in the "Transfer Credit practices of Designated Educational Institutions" published by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Offices. NO credit will be awarded for D grades.
Dual Credit
Due to the rigor of the dental hygiene program, it is strongly recommended that all dental hygiene prerequisites be taken during college. No science courses will be accepted if taken as dual credit in high school.