The degree completion Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene is available to dental hygienists who seek to expand their professional role in such areas as community dental hygiene, teaching in a dental hygiene program, alternative practice settings, or in preparation for a graduate degree. The program is completely online, accessible 24 hours a day, and can be completed in as little as 12–15 months (full time) or up to six years (part time). In addition to the flexibility and convenience of the program, the comprehensive curriculum advances knowledge base and experiences to provide a gateway to advanced career opportunities and to meet the necessary requirements for pursuing a graduate degree in dental hygiene.

Students interested in more information should visit the degree completion webpage¹, or contact the BSDH degree completion advisor:

• Email: dhonline@wichita.edu
• Phone: 316-978-7332

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Admission to Degree Completion

1. Have an overall cumulative GPA of 2.500.
2. Submit an application to the university. WSU Online Gateway Application¹.
   1. Former Wichita State students need to fill out a reactivation form with the registrar's office.
   2. Applicants should check information about State Authorization before continuing with the application to confirm that WSU is authorized to offer courses and programs in their state.
3. Request that official transcripts of previous college courses, and records verifying completion of an accredited dental hygiene program, be sent to Wichita State University.
4. Connect with an advisor to evaluate transcripts, verify dental hygiene license, and determine an individualized plan of study by email (dhonline@wichita.edu).

Note: Please refer to the dental hygiene department website¹ with questions, and for the most current and complete information.

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Professional Curriculum

Twenty-eight (28) credit hours of retroactive credit in dental hygiene courses can be applied to the degree.

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Sequencing: DH 360 must be taken the first semester of enrollment in the degree completion program. STAT 370 must be taken in the first or second semester of enrollment and prior to DH 465.

Graduation and Program Requirements

1. A 2.500 cumulative GPA for admission to the BSDH degree completion program.
2. A current, unencumbered dental hygiene license for admission and progression.
3. All professional courses must be completed with a C (2.000) or higher.
4. Graduation requirements:
   1. 60 credit hours must be from a four-year university;
   2. 30 credit hours must be taken from WSU;
   3. Last 24 of 30 credit hours must be at WSU;
   4. 45 upper-division credit hours (28 of these awarded via retroactive credit); and
   5. 120 total credit hours required for Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene.

Applied Learning

Students in the degree completion Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene program are required to complete an applied learning experience to graduate from the program. The requirement can be met by applying the knowledge gained in the didactic portion of DH 452 Population Health Management in Dental Hygiene to systematically assess, plan, develop, implement and evaluate an oral health promotion project for an underserved target population. Program implementation occurs outside of the classroom through professional collaboration with a community partner.