APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

 


Admission Statement


The mission of The University of Texas Houston Health Science Center Dental Branch, a component institution of the University of Texas System, includes teaching, research, patient care and service to individuals, the community and the State of Texas. The University is committed to pursuance of the highest standards of achievement in instruction, student performance, scholarly accomplishment, patient care and service.

The goal of the undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate programs is to educate health care professionals whose lifelong career objectives are to provide the best possible health care in the most cost-effective manner, to apply the most modern treatment modalities, and to continue to seek information fundamental to the treatment and prevention of disease. In preparing students to meet the health care needs of the citizens of Texas, the University includes both within its student body and its faculty, persons with a commitment to serve the citizens of Texas, including those most in need of those services.

 

Graduate, Postgraduate and Certificate Programs


GENERAL INFORMATION

To the extent provided by applicable law, no person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity sponsored by or conducted by The University of Texas - Houston Health Science Center on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status or disability.

The program selection committees review the applications, conduct the interview process and make recommendations to the Advanced Education Committee for enrollment. The recommendations are voted upon by the committee and approved applicants are forwarded to the Dean for final consideration.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applications for graduate and postgraduate programs can be obtained from the Office of the Registrar, The University of Texas - Houston Health Science Center, P.O. Box 20036, Houston, Texas 77225. All programs except Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) and General Practice Residency (GPR), require completion of a University of Texas Health Science Center Houston Dental Branch Postgraduate School Application. Those applying to AEGD and GPR, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Pediatric Dentistry must also apply through the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS). Applications for PASS are obtained from: PASS, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-2212, telephone (202) 332-8790.

Programs in GPR, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics and Prosthodontics participate in the National Matching Service for final selection. Registration forms may be obtained from: National Matching Services, 595 Bay Street, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2C2, telephone (416) 977-3431. Application deadlines for admission are October 1 of the year preceding the date of expected enrollment for Endodontics, Orthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontics, and Prosthodontics; November 1 for AEGD, GPR, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Pediatric Dentistry; and March 15 of the same year as expected emrollment for Dental Public Health. All transcripts and other required credentials listed on the application form must be on file by that date.

Applicants to graduate programs leading to a Master of Science Degree are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE may be a requirement of some postgraduate programs. Information regarding the GRE can be obtained from: Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 955, Princeton, New Jersey 08540.

Note: The six-year Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program leading to a Certificate/MD Degree requires that the applicant also meet all admissions requirements to UTHHSC Medical School. The four-year Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program is currently only offered through agreement with the United States Military.

CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTANCE

Generally, applicants for advanced education programs are considered on the basis of the following criteria:

  • Completed Application
  • Dental School Grade Point Average
  • Dental School Class Standing
  • Pattern of Academic Achievement
  • National Board Scored
  • Graduate Record Examination
  • Experience and Training
  • Recommendations
  • Specific Program Requirements
  • Research Accomplishment
  • Personal Interview

During the interview process, the applicant may be evaluated on additional elements which may include: public or community service, humanitarian service, extracurricular activities, communication skills, experiences in overcoming adverse personal or family conditions and sensitivity to cultural elements as they may impact health care.

Evaluation of the total information available to the selection committees for each program leads to the final decision for acceptance of the students into the program.

 

 

 

Postgraduate Education Scholarship


(1) COMPETITIVE ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS

Competitive Academic Scholarships awards are designed to facilitate the scholastic development of students who are in high academic standing. The benefits of this award are twofold. First, a direct financial award and second, if the recipient is not a resident of Texas, the change in status to resident tuition. All accepted advanced education students and residents at the UTH - HSC Dental Branch in which a Competitive Academic Scholarship is offered are eligible. The award is based on documented academic excellence. The criteria for selection therefore includes, but is not limited to:

  • Grade Point Average
  • Class Standing
  • Pattern of Academic Achievements
  • Specialty Area Requirements
  • Recommendations
  • National Board Scores
  • Experience and Training
  • Graduate Record Examination

The advanced Education Program Director in which scholarships are offered may recommend to the scholarship sub-committee of the Advanced Education Committee that one entering student/resident accepted to their Program be awarded a competitive academic scholarship each year. A program is limited to that one entering award per year, plus renewals of prior recipients for subsequent years. The Competitive Academic Scholarships are available and dependent on the availability of Graduate Program funds in each individual Program. For 2000 the award amount required to be awarded is $1,000 per scholarship. Each program is responsible for the funding necessary to offer the award. If funds are not available, the award is not offered.

A student who has received an Advanced Education Competitive Academic Scholarship may apply for renewal of the scholarship for a subsequent year by submitting a request, together with a supporting letter from the respective Advanced Education Program Director. The student must have maintained at least a "B" academic average. Award of renewal Competitive Academic Scholarships is also dependent upon available funding by the department.

All submissions are considered by the Scholarship Sub-Committee of The Advanced Education Committee and are presented to The Advanced Education Committee for final approval. These recommendations are passed to the Director of Advanced Education for submission to the Dean.

The Programs offering Competitive Academic Scholarships in recent years are Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, and Prosthodontics. Currently, only Orthodontics and Prosthodontics are awarding a Competitive Academic Scholarship.

(2) DR. HEYL G. TEBO ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Dr. Heyl G. Tebo, former chair of the Department of Anatomical Sciences at The University of Texas - Houston Science Center Dental Branch, established an endowment for the purpose of supporting scholarships to be awarded to dentists who are pursuing advanced education (postgraduate/graduate) training. The scholarships are named in honor of Dr. Tebo and are awarded for one year.

Recipients of the Dr. Heyl G. Tebo scholarship are selected by the Advanced Education Committee. To be eligible for consideration, the applicant must:

  • Have completed the first year of his/her advanced education
  • Show evidence of academic excellence
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Provide a one page letter stating why they should be considered to receive this award
  • Provide a letter of recommendation from their Advanced Education Graduate Director

Preference is given to native born Texans who meet the other criteria.

Selection process:

Each member of The Advanced Education Committee Scholarship subcommittee examines the applications and submits a written evaluation of each student based on the criteria. The entire subcommittee then meets to discuss the evaluations and make recommendations to the entire Advanced Education Committee. The subcommittee has for its deliberations the submitted documentation and confirmation from the Registrar's Office and the Financial Aid Office of UTH - HSC of the students financial need and academic excellence. Considerable weight is therefore placed on the recommendation from the Advanced Education Program Director and the letter from the student indicating why they should receive this award. Items such as demonstrated service to the community, professionalism and ethics are also considered in such deliberations.

Award of the scholarship is based upon available funds being generated within the endowment account. Generally, the award is limited to one person, however, this past year two awards were possible due to the funds available.