Dental Hygiene Prerequisite Coursework

Applicants must complete all of the following coursework in order to be eligible to enter the Dental Hygiene program. Coursework must be completed by mid-August of the intended year of entry. Applicants may have coursework in progress at the time of application. 

• Credits must be completed at a regionally accredited institution 
• Courses may be used only once
• In general, Pass/No Pass coursework is not acceptable
• Prerequisites must be passed with a "C" (2.0) or higher, a "C-" is not acceptable
• Coursework needs to be at the college level (in general this means 100 or higher)
• Natural Science courses are recommended to be completed within 7 years from entry
• Applicants must have a minimum of 48 semester credits or 72 quarter credits by the time the program starts

Natural Science Courses (16 semester credits or 20 quarter credits)
-Human Anatomy and Physiology, labs required, full series required
-One Microbiology Course, lab recommended but not required
-One Chemistry Course, lab required

Communications (6 semester credits or 8 quarter credits)
-One Writing or English Composition Course
-One Public Speaking or Interpersonal Communication Course

Social Sciences (6 semester credits or 8 quarter credits)
-One Psychology Course
-One Sociology Course

Mathematics (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits)
-One College Level Math Course (generally 100 or higher)

Nutrition (2 semester credits or 2 quarter credits)
-One Nutrition Course

Spanish (3 semester credits or 3 quarter credits)
-One College Level Spanish Course, high school courses are not acceptable
-Can be waived if applicant is fluent

Medical Terminology
-One Course, no minimum credits

Humanities (8 semester credits or 12 quarter credits)
-Any combination of courses in the following departments: Humanities, History, Art, Music, Theatre, Religion, World Languages, Philosophy, Communications, Anthropology, Gender Studies

Unofficial Coursework Evaluation

This unofficial prerequisite evaluation is to help you determine which required coursework you have completed and which coursework you still need to meet our prerequisite requirements.

Required prerequisite coursework does not need to be completed to apply to the School of Dental Hygiene Studies. To be eligible for admission for a given academic year you need to be able to show that you can complete all required prerequisite coursework by mid-August of the year of entry.

To receive an evaluation, fill out the Dental Hygiene Unofficial Prerequisite Worksheet (pdf). 

If you have any questions about courses at a certain institution, please contact us.

Completed worksheets can be submitted via email, fax or mail. Please allow one to two weeks to receive the completed evaluation back in the mail.

Submissions via Email 

To email your completed worksheet, fill out the form and save to your computer. Please email this as an attachment to gradadmissions@pacificu.edu. You will also need to scan and attach any corresponding transcripts.

Submissions via Fax

To fax your completed worksheet, click the Print Form button at the top of the pdf file. Include a copy of your unofficial transcripts with the completed worksheet. Fax to 503-352-7290.

Submissions via Mail 

To mail your completed worksheet, click the Print Form button at the top of the pdf file. Include a copy of your unofficial transcripts with the completed worksheet.

Pacific University
Office of Admissions
190 SE 8th Ave
Hillsboro, OR 97123

Questions?

If you have questions about specific prerequisite requirements, please contact us at 503-352-7224 or leahbaldwin@pacificu.edu.

English Language Proficiency Policy

A satisfactory command of the English language is required for admission to Pacific University, prior to admission. Please note that this requirement applies to all applicants if English is not their native language, including permanent residents and citizens.

Valid Proof of English Language Proficiency

The following criteria represent different ways to prove English proficiency for this program.

• Achieving the minimum required official score on the International Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. Test scores are valid for 2 years after the test date, but will still be considered valid if the score exceeded the minimum requirement and you have maintained continuous residency in the United States since the exam date.
• Completion of a bachelor's, master’s, doctorate, or professional degree at an accredited college or university where English is the only language of instruction. Individuals who are in the process of earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution may be admitted to some programs.

Minimum Test Score Requirements

Invalid Proof of English Language Proficiency

The following criteria represent different ways that indicate insufficient English skills to join this program.

• Test score less than Pacific’s minimum requirement
• Test score more than two years old (unless you have lived in the United States since the exam date)
• Institutional TOEFL score from any school except Pacific
• Completion of an English as a Second Language (ESL) program at any school
• Successful completion of English, writing, or literature courses at any college or university
• An associate’s degree from a community college in the United States