Dual Degree Programs

Students seeking admission to the dual degree programs must meet the application requirements of both schools and apply separately for each program. Please note that one program does not guarantee admission to the other. Students are responsible for tuition and fee payments for all courses at both schools. Upon completing the degree, students will receive a diploma from each school.

BSDH/MPH

UTSD has become the first school in Texas to offer dental hygiene students the option of earning credentials toward a master’s degree in public health (MPH), even as they complete their studies for the bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene (BSDH). This pathway dual degree program is in partnership with UTHealth School of Public Health.

To be eligible, students must be accepted by UTSD before applying separately to the UTHealth School of Public Health. As they earn the BSDH, the students also complete credits toward a certificate in public health. The baccalaureate dental hygiene program requires five semesters of study over two years. Those who opt to pursue an MPH will need four years to complete the program. Core disciplines of the MPH degree include biostatistics and epidemiology, which are essential for investigators working in clinical research and dental public health. Additionally, a dental hygienist with an MPH degree will have a foundational knowledge of the population sciences and critical issues in health care.

Dental hygienists with interdisciplinary skill sets are becoming increasingly valuable in the constantly evolving healthcare environment. Those with dual degrees such as a BSDH/MPH will be uniquely poised to tackle some of healthcare's most pressing challenges, such as policymaking, disease prevention, oral health education, oral health research, disparities in access to care, and improving the overall quality of care.

For more information about the dual-degree programs and how to apply, contact the Director of Dental Public Health, Ana Neumann, DDS, PhD, Ana.Neumann@uth.tmc.edu