College of Dentistry Oral Sciences Graduate Programs

The University of Iowa College of Dentistry

Oral Science Graduate Program

The College of Dentistry offers programs of study leading to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy in Oral Science. Both programs require that students complete courses from a core curriculum and conduct independent research leading to a thesis. They are intended to equip graduates for a career in teaching and research.

Master of Science

The M.S. is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 30 semester hours of graduate work, including the conducting of independent research leading to a dissertation, and a final examination. It is anticipated that candidates will complete the program in two years of full-time residence. Candidates who also are involved in an advanced clinical program whose duration is two years should complete the M.S. program by the end of a third year of study.

Admission
Applicants should possess a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale; they also must take the Graduate Record Examination with a minimum combined score of 1600 for all three components (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) and a minimum score of 500 for any individual component. Students whose first language is not English must earn a score of 550 or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); candidates also may be asked to take the Test of Spoken English. These requirements are not absolute, but they carry considerable weight in the admission process. A personal interview may be requested.

Students pursuing the M.S. must be enrolled in a clinical training program or in a department in the College of Dentistry. The program normally begins July 1 each year.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Ph.D. is awarded upon completion of advanced course work and original research that culminates in successful defense of a dissertation. Candidates must earn a minimum of 72 semester hours of graduate credit, pass a comprehensive exam, prepare and gain approval of a research prospectus, and complete and successfully defend a dissertation that describes the results of the research. It is anticipated that candidates will complete the program in not less than four years of full-time residence.

Admission
Applicants must hold a dental degree and should possess a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale; they also must take the Graduate Record Examination with a minimum combined score of 1600 for all three components (verbal, quantita tive, and analytical) and a minimum score of 500 for any individual component. Students whose first language is not English must earn a score of 550 or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); candidates also may be asked to take the Test of Spoken English. These requirements are not absolute, but they carry considerable weight in the admission process.

Applicants are asked to submit a statement describing past research experience and current research interests, and stating how completion of the PhD. program fits into their career goals. A personal interview may be requested.

Applications and transcripts should be received no later than December 1 to enroll in the summer session of the following year. Application review is done on a rolling basis.

For further information these programs, please contact:(click name to e-mail) Dr. Christopher A. Squier

Or write to:
Dr. Christopher A. Squier
Director, Oral Science Program
Dows Institute for Dental Research
College of Dentistry
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242-1010
(319) 335-7388

janice-quinn@uiowa.edu
nellie-kremenak@iowa.edu
Dows Institute for Dental Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242

librarian@vh.org