Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (2 + 2)
Prepare for a health career helping patients and their dental care.
![Three students sitting in front of flagpole outside; person in middle holding a book in lap, other two students looking at book also. Trees in background](https://olemiss.edu/programs/libarts/bachelor-science-dental-hygiene/assets/dent-hygiene-hero_ctg_2027-bx.jpg)
About this Program
Students interested in pursuing the courses necessary to apply to dental hygiene professional school are enrolled in the Allied Health Studies major. They complete two years of pre-requisites before applying to the professional dental hygiene program of their choice.
Departments from across the university contribute courses to the B.A. in Allied Health Studies, which is organized by the Health Professions Advising Office in the College of Liberal Arts. This nationally recognized office helps prepare students for application and admission to allied health professional schools.
Allied health studies emphases are
- Dental Hygiene
- Health Informatics and Information Management
- Histotechnology
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Medical Technology
- Nursing
- Physician Assistant
- Radiologic Sciences
Students receive a well-rounded general education from the College of Liberal Arts that empowers them to deal with complexity, diversity, and change in the world. The program also allows students to choose the relevant courses for their professional school of choice.
The Value of an Allied Health Studies Degree
Allied Health Studies majors gain the ability to understand human behavior, communicate complex ideas, think critically, interpret data, and engage with a diverse world. These skills prepare our majors to enter any allied health profession and become leaders of the future.
What is a Registered Dental Hygienist?
Registered dental hygienists are licensed oral health care professionals. They provide direct patient care services that limit the extent of cavities and periodontal disease as well as promote the overall health and well-being of the oral environment and head and neck region. They practice according to the requirements of individual state dental practice acts.
On this Page…
Program Information
Program Type
Major
Area of Study
Sciences, Mathematics, and Technology
School
Duration
4 years
Degree
B.A. in Allied Health Studies
Program Location
Emphases
Dental Hygiene
Required Credit Hours
120
Degree Requirements
See the information below on the Allied Health Studies major. For a full description, visit the online catalog.
- Bisc 210: Microbiology (or any Bisc 300 level or higher)
- ES 396: Allied Health Terminology OR Clc 201: Medical Terminology
- Spch 102: Fundamentals of Public Speaking OR Spch 105: Business and Professional Speaking
- One of the following advanced communication courses
- Spch 305: Collaborative Communication
- Writ 300: Rhetoric of Professional Communication
- Writ 310: Writing in Professional Contexts
- Writ 320: Contemporary Writing Studies
- Writ 380: Scientific Writing
- Writ 399: Special Topics
- Writ 410: Grant Writing
- 5 of the following electives, depending on your allied health field and interests
- Anth 349: Medical Anthropology
- IMC/Jour 585: Health Communications
- NHM 325: Family Relations
- NHM 328: Child Development
- Phil 321: Ethics
- Phil/Rel 328: Biomedical Ethics
- Soc 301/G St 303: The Family
- Soc 310: Sociology of Disability
- Soc 311: Social Problems
- Soc 333: Sociology of Delinquency
- Soc 345: Population Trends and Problems
- Soc 353: Community Development
- Soc 370/Hon 315: Population Health
- Soc 413/AAS 413: Race and Ethnicity
- Soc 427: Social Stratification
- SW 326: Gerontology
- Any 300 level or above biology course
- Any 300 level or above psychology course
- Any 300 level or above exercise science course
Additional requirements for the program are:
- Psy 201: General Psychology
- One of the following
- Psy 301: Developmental Psychology
- Psy 311: Abnormal Psychology
- NHM 323: Human Growth and Development
Students who attend the University of Mississippi in Oxford for their pre-requisites are not automatically admitted to the dental hygiene program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
Admission is competitive. Different dental hygiene schools have different entrance and pre-requisite requirements.
What is the study of Dental Hygiene?
Next Steps
Explore Affordability
We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
Apply to the University of Mississippi
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