• On-Campus Component
    Yes
  • Cost
    $1,130.00 per credit (resident and nonresident)
  • Total Credits
    34
  • Credential
    Graduate Degree
  • Admission GPA
    3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Application Deadlines
    Fall: May 15, 2025
  • Campus
    Twin Cities
  • College
    School of Dentistry
  • Department
    Department of Primary Dental Care, Division of Dental Hygiene

Tracks

Dental Hygiene Education Track

The Education Track prepares leaders in the profession for research, the health care industry, and academia. Courses in this track provide students with the knowledge and skills to teach didactic, clinic, and laboratory courses in dental hygiene programs, conduct research, and assume administrative positions.

While the coursework for this program is online, a two-week campus visit is required for the student teaching practicum.

Management Track

The Management Track provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for positions within the health care industry such as sales representatives, managers of marketing and professional relations divisions, managers of large dental clinics, practice management consultants, and entrepreneurs. Management courses are taken with other MBA students at the Carlson School of Management.

Sample Courses (Education Track)

  • DH 5403 – The Discipline of Dental Hygiene (2 cr)
  • DH 5405 – Curriculum and Course Development (2 cr)
  • DH 5409 – Dental Hygiene Clinic Administration (2 cr)
  • DH 5415 – Dental Hygiene Supervised Didactic Student Teaching (1 cr)

Sample Courses (Management Track)

  • MBA 6030 – Financial Accounting
  • MBA 6210 – Marketing Management
  • MBA 6220 – Operations Management
  • MCOM 5530 – Strategies/Skills Managerial Presentations

Online Catalog

Career Outlook

There is currently a need in the United States for dental hygienists who can move into education, dental management, and the oral health care industry. The School of Dentistry, a school within the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center, provides a research-intensive environment, as well as interprofessional opportunities ideal for preparing dental hygienists for careers in the health care industry and for dental hygiene education and research.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for eligible students. To apply for aid at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus, students must fill out the FAFSA online using federal school code 003969. Visit One Stop for more information.

"I was hired upon graduation to join the academic community and participate in a start-up dental hygiene program. The program prepared me to confidently develop curricula, serve as clinic coordinator, and participate in a successful accreditation."

—Brenda Armstrong, BSDH, MDH
Assistant Professor, Dental Hygiene Department
Thomas Nelson Community College

Professional Licensing Boards

Requirements for licensure vary from state to state. Check with the appropriate licensing body in the state where you intend to practice.