RDH-to-BSDH - Online
Expand your career opportunities by turning your associate's degree into a bachelor of science in dental hygiene at Texas Woman’s.
Program features
- Available only to graduates and current students of Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accredited RDH associate degree programs
- Degree completion in as little as one year*
- High quality, affordable education and career preparation
- Courses are non-clinical and 100% online
- Small classes with accessible, knowledgeable and supportive faculty
*Individual requirements may vary.
Why continue your dental hygiene studies at TWU?
A private school education at a public school price
Part of the Texas Woman’s experience is keeping costs low and education quality high:
- No. 2 in the state for adding value to student’s earning potential, according to The Economist Magazine
- 4th among all Texas public universities at keeping total college costs down, according to College for All Texans
For a breakdown of cost of attendance, check out our Estimated Cost of Attendance page.
Apply courses to a master's degree in Health Studies
The RDH-to-BSDH program allows you to substitute two graduate-level courses for upper division undergraduate classes. Grades of a B or higher in the graduate courses can be applied to a TWU MS in Health Studies with Dental Hygiene focus.
Career opportunities
A bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene opens career paths including:
- Dental Sales Representative: $73,080 per year
- Dental Hygiene Instructor*: $84,380 per year
Salary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
You also have the option of continuing your education and boosting your future earning potential with a graduate degree in Health Studies with a Dental Hygiene focus.
Frequently asked questions
What do I do if I cannot access the program application?
To complete the program application, applicants must first create their TWU Pioneer Portal account and be logged in to their TWU Google Drive account using their TWU email address and Pioneer Portal password.
Program requirements for the RDH to BSDH
As a full-time student, you can complete the 120 required semester credit hours in as little as one year with:
- 90 transfer credit hours, including 84 lower-division community college credits
- Minimum of 30 hours taken at TWU, including 18 hours of dental hygiene courses and 12 hours of core or electives
Additional requirements:
- Earn a C or higher in all TWU dental hygiene courses
- Complete the Texas core curriculum to earn your bachelor’s degree.
A full list of courses and requirements are available in the course catalog.
Admission requirements
Undergraduate Admission
When you apply to TWU, we will evaluate your academic achievement and preparation, as well as your standardized test scores. Admission to TWU is valid for four terms, unless you have attended another higher education institution.
Check out the links below for specific admissions information:
- How to apply
- Freshman Student Admissions
- Transfer Student Admissions
- International Student Admissions
- Other Types of Undergraduate Admissions
Questions about the admissions process? Contact the Office of Admissions Processing.
Office of Admissions
Texas Woman’s University
P.O. Box 425649
Denton, TX 76204-5649
oap@twu.edu
940-898-3076 or 1-866-809-6130 ext. 3076
Admission to the R.D.H. to B.S. in Dental Hygiene (Online)
All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements.
Program Application Deadlines
Applicants should apply to the university and have submitted all required transcripts and other documentation prior to these deadlines:
- Fall: July 15
- Spring: Dec. 1
- Summer: April 15
Requirements
- Graduated from or currently enrolled (early entry) in an associate’s degree program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation
- Students are eligible for early entry into the RDH-to-BSDH program if they are in the final year of a dental hygiene program and obtain written approval from their current dental hygiene program director
- Licensed as a dental hygienist
- Early-entry applicants must submit a copy of their dental hygiene license after completing the associate’s degree program and passing national board exams
- A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on transferable college work (students may be admitted provisionally without a 3.0 GPA)
- Regular access to a computer that meets standards compatible with TWU distance education and high-speed Internet access
How to Apply
- Apply to TWU as a transfer student
- After acceptance to TWU, apply to the dental hygiene RDH-to-BSDH program. To complete the program application, applicants must first create their TWU Pioneer Portal account then log in to their TWU Google Drive account using their TWU email address and Pioneer Portal password.
- To complete the program application, applicants must submit:
- A scanned copy of their dental hygiene license. (Early-entry applicants need a letter of eligibility and support from the program director of the associate's degree dental hygiene program. Contact dh@twu.edu to request a copy of this specific form to be used.)
- A brief essay on their professional goals, including any information relevant to consideration of the application. The essay should include the applicant's name and student ID at the top of the form.
Admission to the Accelerated R.D.H. to B.S. in Dental Hygiene/M.S. in Health Studies
Application Deadlines
Fall: May 1
Spring: October 1
Admission Requirements
To apply to the program, students must
- Be enrolled in the R.D.H. to B.S. in Dental Hygiene program at TWU.
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
- Have a minimum of 12 hours remaining in courses toward the major.
How to Apply
Students interested in applying to the accelerated program are encouraged to contact the R.D.H. to B.S.D.H. Program Mentor prior to applying.
- Complete the R.D.H. to B.S.D.H./M.S. Health Studies Accelerated program application
- Applicants must submit the following materials:
- A one-page personal statement letter indicating the reasons for pursuing a master's degree
- Professional resume indicating academic background and relevant experience for graduate study
- The names and email addresses of two faculty and/or employers who will provide recommendations for graduate school
- Applicants must submit the following materials:
- Once admitted by the program, apply to the Graduate School. Students cannot enroll in graduate-level coursework until accepted by the Graduate School.
- Apply for admission to the M.S. in Health Studies Dental Hygiene emphasis program
- NOTE: the start date indicated on the graduate application must be for the semester following graduation from the bachelor's degree.
- Apply for admission to the M.S. in Health Studies Dental Hygiene emphasis program
Accelerated Undergraduate-Graduate Program Policy Guidelines
Students may apply to an approved accelerated degree program once they have completed at least 60 undergraduate semester credit hours. Upon admission to an accelerated program, students may enroll in graduate courses for credit once they have attained at least 72 undergraduate semester credit hours. Approved courses will apply to both an undergraduate and a graduate degree.
Conditions
- Up to 12 SCH of designated graduate courses may apply to both the Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree program comprised of 45 or fewer SCH; and up to 15 graduate SCH may apply toward both an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree program comprised of more than 45 SCH (Master’s, Specialist or Doctoral degree.)
- Undergraduate students may enroll in no more than 6 SCH of graduate coursework in each semester or term.
- No undergraduate-level course may count toward a graduate degree.
- Minimal criteria for admission will include a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Academic components may set higher requirements for their program.
- Once admitted to an accelerated program, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the remainder of their baccalaureate degree, or their admission to the accelerated graduate program may be revoked. Academic components may set additional requirements for their programs.
- Prior to applying to an accelerated degree program, students must have completed a minimum of 15 semester credit hours at Texas Woman's University.
Graduate Application Process
All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.
This academic program may have additional graduate admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the graduate program's website.
For questions contact
Admissions Coordinator
csohadmissions@twu.edu
940-898-2025
Explore Scholarship Opportunities at Texas Woman’s University
TWU offers more than $21.6 million in scholarships each year. Scholarships are available for undergraduate, graduate and transfer students in all academic areas.
Learn more including how to submit a single application to be considered for all available scholarships.
Page last updated 9:36 AM, December 5, 2024