Though it can vary by school, the general dental school curriculum focuses on biological science classes in years 1–2 and clinical work during years 3–4.
Combined Degree Programs
Many dental schools in the United States and Canada offer combined degree programs that give students the opportunity to obtain other degrees along with their D.D.S. or D.M.D. The degrees that may be combined with the dental degree include:
- A master’s degree (M.A., M.S., M.B.A. or M.P.H.)
- A doctorate (Ph.D., M.D. or D.O.)
Numerous dental schools have formal combined baccalaureate and dental degree programs. Combined degree programs expand career options, especially for those interested in careers in dental education, administration and research. They may also shorten the length of training where specific agreements have been made between the dental school and its parent institution. The undergraduate and dental school portions of some combined degree programs take place at the same university, while other combined programs are the result of arrangements made between a dental school and other undergraduate institutions. Sometimes colleges will independently grant baccalaureate degrees to students who attended as undergraduates and did not finish their undergraduate education but successfully completed some portion of their dental training.
Many dental schools also sponsor combined graduate and dental degree programs. These programs, which usually take six to seven years to complete, are offered at the master’s or doctoral levels in subjects that include the basic sciences (biology, physiology, chemistry), public policy, medicine and other areas. A list of dental schools with combined degree programs is also available in the ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools. If you are interested in more information about combined degree programs, you should contact the schools directly.