Program Overview

MHA Pathway to Dentistry Program

The MHA Pathway to Dentistry Program provides academic and professional preparation and a pathway to the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine's Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program through the M.S. in Modern Human Anatomy.

Program Overview

Students admitted to the Pathway Program will complete the first-year curriculum of the Modern Human Anatomy program, begin work on the MHA Capstone Project, then transition into the Doctor of Dental Surgery curriculum in the Fall of their 2nd year. Students admitted to the Pathway Program will receive a reserved seat in the DDS program. While completing the 4-year Doctor in Dental Surgery requirements, the students will complete the MS-MHA Capstone Project and Teaching Practicum, to graduate with both the M.S. and the D.D.S. degrees.

Program Goals

The goal of the Pathway Program is to expand representation in the dental medicine workforce in the United States and provide clarity and support in the pathway to pursuing dental medicine as a career. The Pathway to Dentistry MHA Program will provide academic and clinical preparation, mentorship, and a pathway for success for traditionally underrepresented students in dental school through the M.S. in Modern Human Anatomy curriculum.

Coursework

• MHA Year 1, Fall Semester:
  • ANAT 6205, Imaging and Modeling (4)
  • ANAT 6310, Neuroanatomy (4)
  • ANAT 6321, Human Histology (4)
  • ANAT 6412, Foundations of Teaching (1)
• MHA Year 1, Spring Semester:
  • ANAT 6111, Human Gross Anatomy (8)
  • ANAT 6330, Human Embryology (3)
• MHA Year 1, Summer Semester:
  • ANAT 6600, Experimental Design & Research Methods (1)
  • ANAT 6950, MSMHA Capstone Project (3)
• MHA/DDS Courses, Years 2-5:
  • Complete the 4-year Doctor of Dental Surgery Curriculum and Training
  • ANAT 6910, Teaching Practicum (1)
  • ANAT 6950, MSMHA Capstone Project (5)

Eligibility for Pathways Program

Potential applicants must check yes to at least one of the following to be eligible for admissions to the MHA Pathway to Dentistry Program:

• I am from an educationally or financially disadvantaged background
• I am from a federally designated rural/frontier community
• The household in which I grew up in was in one of the lowest 10% per capita income counties in the United States
• The household I grew up in was designated to be below the US Federal poverty guidelines or poverty thresholds according to the US Department of Health and Human Services
• I was born or raised in a county designated as underserved by health professionals
• I am a first-generation student
• I am a non-traditional student applicant
• I wish to serve the underserved

Prerequisites for Pathways Program

All applicants to the Pathways to Dentistry MHA Program must meet the admissions requirements of the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree.

• General Biology or General Zoology with Lab (8 semester hours)
• General Chemistry with Lab (8 semester hours)
• Organic Chemistry with Lab (8 semester hours)
• General Physics with Lab, Algebra or Calculus based (8 semester hours)
• Microbiology, Lab not required (3 semester hours)
• General Biochemistry, Lab not required (3 semester hours)
• English Composition (3 semester hours)
• 90 semester hours with at least 30 hours of upper division credit
• Suggested Electives: Courses to consider include anatomy, cell biology, histology, immunology, physiology, business management/finance, psychology, and communications

Dental Admission Test

Each applicant must complete the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Although the computerized exam is available year-round, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the DAT by January 1, prior to the opening of the MHA Pathway to Dentistry application in the first week of January. To be eligible for the MHA Pathway, applicants must achieve a minimum DAT score of 18 (two-digit scale) or 380 (three-digit scale).

Dental Shadowing Requirements

A minimum of 50 hours of dental shadowing are required prior to applying to the MHA Pathway to Dentistry Program. Ideally, these hours will include time with a variety of general and specialty dental clinical.

Eligibility to Transition from MHA to DDS

Students will have a reserved seat at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine for the academic year following their successful completion of the 1st year curriculum of the Modern Human Anatomy Program. All students must meet the following requirements to successfully continue to the Doctor of Dental Surgery program:

• Complete a minimum of 24 credits of ANAT core coursework with grades no lower than a B-
• Maintain an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher during the entire duration of the 1st year
• Successfully complete the Hand Skills Course/Workshop
• Complete two mandatory one on one meetings with the School of Dental Medicine's Director of Diversity Programming
• Consistently demonstrate academic and non-academic ethics, collegiality, and professionalism
• Complete all required supplemental experiential learning opportunities through the CU School of Dental Medicine
• Complete a successful interview with two members of the School of Dental Medicine Admissions Committee

Benefits of MHA Pathway to Dentistry Program

Students in the MHA Pathway to Dentistry Program will benefit by:

• Receiving scholarship support from School of Dental Medicine's Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• Having a reserved seat in the DDS class the year after matriculating
• Completing a rigorous, graduate-level, 1st year MS-MHA curriculum prior to embarking on the dental school curriculum
• Completing Hand Skills courses in conjunction with the MHA 1st year curriculum
• Participating in professional development seminars co-facilitated by both the MHA and SDM faculty
• Enrolling in MHA coursework on the CU-Anschutz campus and integrating themselves in the campus community and culture prior to starting the DDS curriculum
• Receiving mentorship from both MHA and SDM faculty throughout their studies
• Receiving strong support from the School of Dental Medicine's Office of Diversity and Inclusion during their first year as MHA students
• Obtaining a level of expertise in anatomical sciences and modern imaging and modeling modalities that can shape residency placements and specializations
• Receiving both a Master of Science and a DDS degree upon completion of the MHA Pathways to Dentistry Program curricula

Application Process

Interested students may apply to the MHA Pathway to Dentistry Program in two different ways: applying directly to the Doctor of Dental surgery program or applying directly to the Master of Science in Modern Human Anatomy program. The application deadline for entry Fall 2026 is February 16th, 2026.

• To apply to the Pathway program through the Masters in Modern Human Anatomy Program, candidates must:
  • Complete the Modern Human Anatomy application through the Graduate School's Application for Admission
  • Submit official transcripts from all colleges, universities, and professional schools attended
  • Provide three letters of recommendation
  • Provide official DAT scores
  • Pay an application fee of $50.00
• Students admitted to the MHA Pathway to Dentistry Program through the Graduate School's Application for Admission will be required to apply to the Doctor of Dental Surgery Program through the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) application service during their first year in the MS-MHA program.