Program Overview

Master of Science in Oral Sciences

About the Program

The Master of Oral Sciences degree program offers graduate students in-depth exploration of the biological foundations of oral health and disease through advanced scientific training and research. Designed for individuals eager to understand the complex interplay between oral and systemic health, the program blends rigorous coursework in biomedical sciences with laboratory experience. Degree candidates learn to frame scientific questions, apply experimental techniques, and critically interpret data, preparing them to contribute to the field’s growing body of knowledge.

Graduates of the Master of Oral Sciences program are equipped to pursue a range of career paths in academia, biomedical research, and public health. The program’s emphasis on independent inquiry and publication-ready research also provides strong preparation for those considering doctoral study or professional degrees in dentistry or related health sciences.

Curriculum

The Master of Oral Sciences is an academic, research-oriented program the goal of which is to provide students with expertise in the concepts of basic concepts of oral and craniofacial biology. It is an in-person program. The curriculum includes advanced foundational science courses.

• Summer:
  • Scientific Writing for Dental Professionals: Focusing on developing the ability to write clear and professional research manuscripts specific to dentistry; to understand the structure and requirements for dental journals; and to present case reports, systematic reviews, and clinical studies effectively.
  • Data Science for Clinicians
  • Fundamentals of Research
  • Research Laboratory Rotations
• Fall:
  • Introduction to Biostatistics: Focusing on basic applied and inferential statistics; elementary probability theory; statistical distributions; and principles of estimation and hypothesis testing, among other concepts.
  • Oral Pathology: Focusing on the oral manifestations of systemic diseases and conditions. Differential diagnosis and treatment options are emphasized.
  • Oral Histology: Focusing on the unique developmental and histologic aspects of dental and oral tissues, their structure, organization, and functions.
  • Oral Biology
  • Research Laboratory Rotations
  • Thesis Seminar
• Spring:
  • Cariology: Focusing on the caries process, and how we have come to understand it and to prevent its course.
  • Oral-Systemic Connections
  • Independent Study
  • Clinical Oral Pathology: Focusing on developing the ability to classify oral pathology entities according to clinical and/or radiographic appearance.
  • Research Laboratory Rotations
  • Thesis Seminar

Program Details

• Application Priority Deadline: March 2, 2026
• Available Positions: 10
• Program Start Date: July 1
• Length of Program: 12 months
• Tuition and Fees:
  • Annual tuition: $71,000*
  • Annual fees: $5,324 *Pending trustee approval

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Oral Sciences program at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine is designed to provide graduate students with advanced scientific training and research experience in the biological foundations of oral health and disease. The program is research-oriented and includes coursework in biomedical sciences, laboratory experience, and independent research projects. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers in academia, biomedical research, and public health, as well as for further study in doctoral or professional degree programs. The program is 12 months in length and includes a thesis seminar and research laboratory rotations. The tuition and fees for the program are $71,000 and $5,324 per year, respectively. The application priority deadline is March 2, 2026, and there are 10 available positions in the program. The program start date is July 1.