Degree Completion Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Application Process & Prerequisites
Program
Financial Aid & Tuition
Application Process & Prerequisites
When are applications available?
Applications for the dental health degree completion program will be available March 2008.
When are applications due?
Applicants interested in beginning classes Fall Semester 2008 should submit their applications no later than July 1, 2008. Applicants interested in beginning classes Spring Semester 2009 should submit their applications no later than December 1, 2008.
How will I know if my application file is complete?
All application packets that are submitted should be complete. Incomplete application packets will not be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Individuals will be notified via email or postal mail regarding the completeness of their application packet.
When will students be notified of admittance?
Applicants to the dental health degree completion program will be notified of admission decisions on a rolling basis.
How will students be notified of admittance?
Applicants to the dental health degree completion program will be notified of their final admissions status via postal mail.
Do all of the prerequisites have to be completed by the time that the application is submitted?
Required prerequisite coursework does not need to be completed by the application deadline. Coursework may be in-progress as long as it will be completed prior to starting the dental health degree completion program.
Do students need to apply to Pacific University prior to or at the time that they are applying to the dental health degree completion program?
Students do not need to submit a separate application to Pacific University.
Do you keep applications on file from previous years?
All applications are kept on file for three (3) years. In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), matriculating students do have access to their permanent files. Pacific University does not provide access to admissions records to applicants who are denied admission, or students who decline an offer of admission.
Will my coursework from another institution transfer?
100-level or higher coursework from accredited colleges and universities will transfer.
How important are grades for acceptance to the dental health degree completion program?
Grades are just one factor in the admission selection process.
What other factors are important in the selection process?
The Admissions Committee will also consider the following factors in the selection process:
- Prior dental or health care experience
- Content of application forms and care with which they have been completed
- Quality of writing ability as demonstrated by personal narrative
- Strength of on-campus interview
Do I have to interview to be accepted into the dental health degree completion program?
Yes. The interview is required and is a strong contributing factor in the admission decision.
Can I take my prerequisite coursework at a community college?
Yes. Required prerequisite coursework may be completed at any accredited college or university.
Is college coursework from 20 years ago still acceptable?
Yes and no. Coursework in Social Science, the Humanities, Art, and Communications may be acceptable. Coursework in Statistics should be completed within the last 7 years. All coursework will be evaluated for transfer prior to admission.
What is the difference between semester hours and quarter hours?
There are two 15-week semesters and three 10-week quarters in an academic year. To convert your quarter hours to semester hours follow this equation: Quarter Hours X .667 = Semester Hours. (Example: 3 Quarter Hours X .667 = 2 Semester Hours) Please note that hours, credits, and units are typically all the same thing.
How do I apply for the dental health degree completion program?
Application packets will be mailed to all inquiries starting March 1, 2007. If you are not currently on our mailing list you can submit an online inquiry form by clicking here. As of March 1, 2007 you may also download an application online by clicking here.
How many applications do you receive?
This is the first year of the dental health degree completion program.
How many applicants will you interview?
All qualified applicants will be interviewed.
When will I be notified about interviews?
Interviews for the dental health degree completion program occur on a rolling basis. If you submit an application and qualify for an interview you will be notified that an interview time may be set up as soon as the Admissions Committee has completed their review of your file.
Do I need to complete the same Natural Science prerequisites that are required for the dental hygiene program?
No. The science and dental health coursework that you completed to become a dental hygienist or dental assistant fulfills our science requirement for the dental health degree completion program.
I am currently a dental assistant, am I eligible to apply to the dental health degree completion program?
Certified Dental Assistants (CDA) that graduated from an accredited dental assisting program are eligible to apply to the dental health degree completion program.
What type of verification do you require for my dental assisting and/or dental hygiene credentials?
A current copy of your dental assisting certificate and/or dental hygiene license(s) must be submitted with your application to the dental health degree completion program.
What happens during my interview?
Interviews for the dental health degree completion program are set up on an individual basis. Candidates will interview with members from the Admissions Committee. In the interview, consideration is given to motivation toward a Bachelor of Science in Dental Health, current and future professional goals, ability to think clearly and logically, self-confidence, and verbal expression of ideas.
When will interviews take place?
Interviews for the dental health degree completion program occur on a rolling basis.
Where will interviews take place?
Interviews will take place at the Health Professions Campus in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Program
How many students are accepted into the dental health degree completion program?
The number of students accepted into the dental health degree completion program varies by semester.
When does the dental health degree completion program start?
Students may start the dental health degree completion program Fall or Spring Semester each year.
Where is the dental health degree completion program located?
The School of Dental Health Science is located at Pacific University's Health Professions Campus in Hillsboro, Oregon.
What type of degree will I receive when I complete the dental health degree completion program?
Students who complete the dental health degree completion program at Pacific University will receive a Bachelor of Science in Dental Health.
How long is the dental health degree completion program?
The dental health degree completion program at Pacific University is approximately two (2) years, part-time. Individuals may choose to take longer to complete their program coursework. Required prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to starting the dental health degree completion program.
Is there a time limit for completing the dental health degree completion program?
No.
What is the advantage of getting a bachelor's degree?
A bachelor's degree allows graduates more flexibility and choices for work within the dental health field. Graduates will have the foundation to pursue careers in education, public health, and management.
What is the total number of hours for the dental health degree completion program?
Required prerequisite coursework equates to approximately 90 semester hours (135 quarter hours). Dental Health coursework equates to 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours). Adding these two areas together, the Bachelor of Science in Dental Health equates to approximately 120 semester hours (180 quarter hours).
Can the dental health degree completion program be taken full-time?
No. At this time the dental health degree completion program is only offered on a part-time basis.
How many hours a day is the program?
Courses for the dental health degree completion program will be offered evenings and weekends to accommodate your current career commitments.
Financial Aid & Tuition
Is financial aid available?
Need-based aid in the form of grants, loans, work-study, and other funding is available to those who demonstrate financial need and are registered for a full academic course load. Applicants should be sure to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1st. The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Pacific University's federal school code is 003212. If you have questions regarding financial assistance, please call the Financial Aid Office at 1-877-PAC-UNIV ext. 2222. Be sure to identify yourself as a potential dental health degree completion student.
I'm not from Oregon, will my tuition be more expensive?
Pacific University is a private institution, which means that the tuition is the same regardless of your state or country of residence.
What is the program cost?
Tuition for the dental health degree completion program is figured on a per-credit basis. Tuition for one (1) credit in the dental health degree completion program is $565. If the course that you wish to take is three (3) credits, your total tuition for that course would be $1,695.