Dental programs, like medical programs, admit students who are liberally educated with strong mathematics and science backgrounds. Students who wish to pursue careers in dentistry often choose majors in the natural sciences and mathematics, but they may fulfill their admission requirements with any degree, provided they fulfill the specific dental school course requirements. Students interested in dentistry should work closely with a pre-dentistry advisor who will help ensure they complete the specific requirements for their desired programs and their NKU bachelor’s degrees. The biological sciences and chemistry departments have faculty who are dedicated pre-dental advisors.
Coursework
Pre-dental students at NKU often choose majors in biological sciences (cellular/molecular/genetics track) or chemistry & biochemistry (biochemistry track) because these degrees include all the requirements for entry into dental schools. Students who choose non-science majors should complete electives at the 300/400/500 level and above in courses such as cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, and genetics. Requirements for dental schools generally include:
- Two semesters of biology with labs (some schools require an additional two semesters of biology courses at the 300/400/500 level).
- Two semesters of inorganic/general chemistry with labs.
- Two semesters of organic chemistry with labs.
- One semester of physics with labs.
- Two semesters of English/composition courses (discipline-specific 291W/391W courses are accepted).
AP credit
AP credit may be treated differently by specific dental programs regardless of how the credit is treated by NKU. Students who have AP credit and who wish to attend professional programs should work closely with their advisors.
First-year plan
Because students can pursue any degree program to prepare for dental school, only the first year of recommended study is shown below. To see four-year plans in particular areas (such as biological sciences or chemistry), please see those particular degree programs.
♦ Indicates prerequisite.
