Program Overview

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Master of Dental Science Certificate Program

The Master of Dental Science Certificate program at Nova Southeastern University's College of Dental Medicine is designed to provide prospective dental students with strong foundational knowledge in upper-level human biological sciences. This unique one-year certificate program prepares students academically for entry into dental school and may also reserve their seat in the Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) program.

Program Overview

Successful completion of the M.D.S. program with an overall 3.7 GPA provides students with a reserved seat in the next class of the D.M.D. program. To earn the MDS certificate, students must successfully complete all courses in the program with a grade of C or better.

Why Earn Your Masters Degree at NSU's College of Dental Medicine?

The program affords a pathway for applicants who have not been accepted to a U.S. accredited dental school. It provides potential dental school applicants with a unique opportunity to increase their foundational based knowledge in the medical biological sciences. The curriculum introduces students to a dental school culture by matriculating with the first-year dental class.

Program Curriculum

The program curriculum is 22 total credits and can be completed in one year, beginning in the fall. The curriculum includes:

• Core Required Courses (13 Credit Hours) in the fall semester:
  • CDM 1400: Anatomy Lecture/Lab (5 credits)
  • CDM 1430: Histology (2 credits)
  • CDM 1410: Dental Microbiology (3 credits)
  • CDM 1425: Dental Biochemistry & Nutrition (3 credits)
• Core Required Courses (9 Credit Hours) in the winter semester:
  • CDM 1411: Dental Immunology (2 credits)
  • CDM 1420: Physiology (4 credits)
  • CDM 1440: Neuroanatomy Lecture/Lab (3 credits)

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements include:

• Recommended or higher GPA: 3.0
• Recommended Total Science and Academic Average on the Dental Admission Test (DAT): 18
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• $50 Nonrefundable Application Fee (USD)
• Group Interview (Zoom), if offered
• ADEA AADSAS: Required, must be current in order to apply

Required Courses

Students must also have earned a grade of 2.0 or better in each of the following required courses:

• Biology with lab: 8 semester hours
• Chemistry with lab: 8 semester hours
• Organic Chemistry with lab: 8 semester hours
• Physics with lab: 8 semester hours
• Biochemistry: 3 semester hours
• Microbiology: 3 semester hours
• English: 6 semester hours

Application Process

The application process involves:

• Completing the ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS) application
• Submitting supporting documents, including:
  • AADSAS application
  • DAT Test Scores
  • Official transcript from each college, professional school, or university attended
  • Three professional letters of recommendation
• Submitting the NSU application electronically with a nonrefundable $50 application fee

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees information can be found on the university's website.

Delivery Options

The College of Dental Medicine M.D.S. program is delivered by a combination of videoconferencing, lecture capture, and onsite lectures at the Ft. Lauderdale/Davie campus.

Quick Facts

• Tuition: Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information
• Curriculum: 22 total credits, completed in one year
• Application Deadlines:
  • AADSAS Application Due: November 15
  • NSU Application Due: April 1st
• Delivery Options: Videoconferencing, lecture capture, and onsite lectures at the Ft. Lauderdale/Davie campus