Northern Arizona University

DENTAL HYGIENE FAQS

When are applications due?
Submit applications by February 1st for admittance in the fall semester of that year.

When will students be notified of admittance?
Students selected for the program will be notified in April.

Do all of the prerequisites have to be completed by the time that the application is submitted?
Students need to complete 11 units/credit hours of prerequisite course work, including 7 units/credit hours of the science prerequisite courses. In addition, students need to have completed or be in progress of completing during spring semester 14 units/credit hours, with a maximum of 6 units/credit hours remaining to complete during summer session. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better by the time the student enters the DH program in the fall.

Do students need to apply to NAU prior to or at the time that they are applying to the DH program?
It is not necessary to apply to NAU prior to submitting the DH application to the department in February; however, students are encouraged to apply to the university as soon as possible after being accepted into the DH program. This is necessary to register for classes in the Summer and/or fall.

Do you keep applications on file from previous years?
Applicants are required to complete a new application each time he or she applies. This includes payment of the application fee and resubmission of official transcripts.

Is there a waiting list?
No, if you are not accepted when you initally apply to the program you must complete the same process the next year.

Is it OK if I don't type the application?
The application must be typed. This helps to eliminate problems with spelling, etc...

How will a student know if course work transfers whether completed in Arizona or elsewhere?
If a student has taken courses from outside the state and has questions as to whether or not classes will qualify for prerequisites, the student may decide to send an unofficial transcript(s) to the NAU DH Department along with college catalog course descriptions. Transfer evaluations are conducted by the Registrar's office if you have applied for admittance to NAU.
If the student has questions determining transferability of course work completed within the state, the student may go to the Undergrad Admissions Office (Gammage Building, #1) to do a Transfer Credit Evaluation, or call (928) 523-5511 to talk with a consultant over the phone.

What are my chances of being accepted into the NAU DH program?
The number of applicants varies in any given year. As many as 150 students have applied in the recent past. A student may reapply if not accepted after the first attempt to enter the program.

How many students are accepted into the sophomore class?
Approximately 24 to 26 students are admitted and start the DH program as sophomore students in the fall of each year.

Is the NAU DH program a certificate, associate or bachelors degree program?
The NAU DH program is the only DH program in the state of Arizona that offers a B.S. degree upon completion of the program.

How important are grades for acceptance to the DH program?
Cumulative GPA and science GPA (of prerequisite science coursework only) are critical factors in the student selection process. Although applicants can apply with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, the average GPA of students entering the program is 3.4 to 3.6.

What can students do to improve their GPA?
The NAU DH department follows the University's rules on grade replacement. A course grade can be replaced if the student has received a "D" or "F" in the course. If a student has received a "C" in a course and chooses to repeat the class, the student will not receive additional college credit; however, the new grade received from the second attempt will be included in determining the GPA.

What other factors are important in the selection process?
In addition to selecting students with a strong academic foundation, the NAU DH department is looking for students demonstrating personal and professional integrity, leadership abilities, and a desire to be involved in the community. Proficiency in a second language is also encouraged. Student experiences in the dental/medical environment are not required; however, dental office experience is recommended. Dental office experiences including observation, volunteering, or work-related endeavors in the dental/medical environment are also factored into the application process.

Is financial aid available?
Scholarships, grants, and student loans are available through the university. Information can be accessed through the Office of Student Financial Aid at: http://www4.nau.edu/finaid/

Scholarships are also available through the department once the student has been accepted into the DH program. To view available scholarships, click here.

Additional information and valuable website addresses can be found on the "Frequently Asked Questions" section of the BS in DH Degree Completion section located within the DH website!!