Program Overview

Introduction to the Program

The Dental Scholars Track is part of the Masters Program, designed for students interested in applying to U.S. dental schools. This 30-credit program leads to a graduate degree, offering flexibility in tailoring a curriculum that combines students' interests and strengths.

Program Details

• The program is 30 credits, with a grade point average of 3.0 (B-average) or better required to graduate.
• Of these 30 credits, 9 credits come from core (required) courses, and the remaining 21 credits are from elective courses.
• The academic advisor, Dr. Vincent K. Tsiagbe, helps students create a course schedule based on each student's goals, strengths, and timeline.

Courses and Research Opportunities

• Oral Microbiology (3 credits) and Oral Immunology (3 credits) are dental school courses open to all Masters students.
• Dental Histology (5 credits), Dental Neuroscience (4 credits), Dental Physiology (5 credits), and Dental Biochemistry (4 credits) are open to Masters students with special permission from Dr. Tsiagbe.
• Students have the opportunity to learn from and conduct research with faculty members of the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM).

Guaranteed Interview at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine

• Master's students are eligible for a guaranteed interview at RSDM by earning a 3.7 GPA after at least 20 credits and a DAT score of at least 20 Total Science and 20 Academic Average or passage on National Boards parts 1 and 2 on the first take by BDS students.

Meet the Advisor

• Dr. Vincent K. Tsiagbe is the primary advisor for dental scholars in the Master's program and a faculty member and course director in RSDM.
• Dr. Tsiagbe's research focuses on understanding the immunologic basis of B cell lymphoma development, and he has many years of experience in dental school admissions.

International Students

• International students and international dentists are welcome to apply to the program.
• The Rutgers Global office provides support to students for Optional Practical Training (OPT) application and STEM OPT extension.

Student Community

• The pre-dental students, pre-medical students, biomedical research students, and alumni form a very cohesive and helpful community.
• The pre-dental society, under the guidance of Dr. Tsiagbe, organizes many programs focused on DAT preparation and community service.

Alumni Success

• 69% of students enrolled in the program between 2017 and 2020 successfully matriculated in medical and dental schools.
• Alumni have attended a variety of dental schools, including but not limited to:
  • A.T. STILL UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
  • BOSTON UNIVERSITY
  • CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
  • COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
  • CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY - DENTAL
  • EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
  • HOWARD UNIVERSITY
  • INDIANA UNIVER PURDUE UNIVER INDIANAPOLIS
  • INDIANA UNIVERSITY PURDUE UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS
  • MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE
  • NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
  • NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
  • ROSEMAN UNIV OF HEALTH SCIENCES SOUTH JORDAN
  • RUTGERS SCHOOL DENTAL MEDICINE
  • RUTGERS -THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NJ -NEW BRUNSWICK
  • SUNY STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY
  • SUNY UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO
  • TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
  • TEMPLE UNIVERSITY - DENTAL
  • THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
  • TOURO COLLEGE
  • TUFTS UNIVERSITY
  • UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM-DENTAL
  • UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-SAN FRANCISCO
  • UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
  • UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT - DENTAL
  • UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT MERCY
  • UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT MERCY- SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
  • UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
  • UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
  • UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
  • UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE - MEDICAL AND DENTAL
  • UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND - BALTIMORE
  • UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
  • UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND
  • UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND NON-MATRIC
  • UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
  • UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
  • UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCI CENTER SAN ANTONIO
  • UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC
  • UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON - SEATTLE
  • VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
  • WESTERN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Conclusion

The Dental Scholars Track within the Masters Program at Rutgers offers a comprehensive and supportive environment for students aiming to attend U.S. dental schools. With its flexible curriculum, research opportunities, and guaranteed interview at RSDM for high-achieving students, this program is designed to help students succeed in their academic and professional pursuits.