UNM Online

Disclosures

The University is required by federal regulation 34 CFR 668.43 to inform students that obtaining this degree may not be sufficient to meet the licensure requirements of your state licensure agency. Since only state agencies have the authority to determine if an individual satisfies the criteria for certification or licensure, UNM cannot assure the attainment of any certificate or license for an individual.

UNM strives to stay informed about the current state requirements for certification or licensure as these are subject to change. Prior to applying for admission, refer to our Professional Licensure Disclosure (PLD) webpage and contact the relevant licensing agency in your state. Also refer directly to the program you are interested in for additional details.

All online and distance education is protected by federal regulations and policies. For details on how, refer to the following resources: State Authorization, Disclosures, Accreditation and Complaint Resolution.

Admissions

Tuition and Fees

Total cost per credit hour is $431.66 and is comprised of $394.80 base tuition + $36.86 upper division course premium. There is a student technology fee charged each semester. It is $150 in the Fall, $150 in the Spring, and $20 in the Summer. There may be additional costs, depending on the class. Additional costs are often for textbooks, supplemental course materials, and proctoring fees.

To complete an undergraduate degree, students are required to fulfill general education and college-specific requirements.

Admission Requirements

• Completion of a certificate or associate degree program in dental hygiene that has been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and a regional accreditation agency, or a letter of approval from the director of a CODA and regionally accredited New Mexico community college program, if simultaneously enrolled in one of these programs.
• A satisfactory grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• A copy of a current American Dental Hygienist license

Application Checklist

• Application to the University of New Mexico.
  • There is a $25 fee associated with this application.
  • Official transcripts of all prior college courses undertaken submitted to UNM Albuquerque-Main Campus.
• Application to the Division of Dental Hygiene
• Official transcripts from each prior colleges/universities attended sent electronically to dentalhygiene@salud.unm.edu
• The following documents sent to the Division of Dental Hygiene via email (dentalhygiene@salud.unm.edu), Subject: Name, Program, starting semester (i.e. F. Martinez, RDH to BSDH, Fall 2025)
  • A copy of national board score.
  • A copy of a current American Dental Hygienist license.
  • A photo for your student file.
• A $125 application fee to the Division of Dental Hygiene payable online
• Interview with the Program Director (Once applications are received by the Division, students are contacted to schedule this interview.)

Application Deadlines

• Fall 1st 8-week Term:  July 31
• Fall 2nd 8-week Term:  September 30
• Spring 1st 8-week Term: November 30
• Spring 2nd 8-week Term:  January 31
• Summer 8-week Term:  April 30

To begin the application process for any Accelerated Online Program, use the Albuquerque Campus Application. In the Academics section, you will be prompted to select your Intended Field of Study. For this program, select:  Dental Hygiene - Online.

Degree Requirements

Degree Information

To graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree from UNM, a student must complete a minimum of 128 credit hours. Fifteen of these hours must be completed after 92 hours have been earned. Thirty of these hours must be completed at UNM. UNM requires 31 hours distributed between seven areas to complete the UNM General Education requirements. Current dental hygienists will transfer in many of these requirements,  An academic advisor will be happy to review your academic history to determine which courses you may need to complete at UNM.  The university also requires completion of a 3 credit hour U.S. and Global Diversity and Inclusion requirement. Students may transfer coursework from other accredited institutions to fulfill these requirements.   

For additional requirements for the RDH to BSDH degree completion program, please refer to the UNM Catalog.

About the Program

The RDH to BSDH post-licensure degree completion program expands the basic skills and knowledge acquired in an Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene degree program.  This program is available to selected students who have received an Associate Degree or a Certificate in Dental Hygiene from a school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and a regional accreditation agency.

This program requires the successful completion of 12 credit hours of core 400-level upper-division courses and 12 to 24 credit hours of electives. It offers an innovative, personalized curriculum that is designed to graduate dental hygienists with advanced skills.

Dental Hygiene Required Courses

Dental Hygiene Elective Courses

Additional credit hours are selected to meet the interests of the individual student and to fulfill graduation requirements. UNM offers many exciting educational avenues to explore and students have the opportunity to design a curriculum according to personal career interests.

Learning Outcomes

The mission of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine's Division of Dental Hygiene in Albuquerque is to educate future dental hygienists on improving health by providing academic and clinical training. Students will finish the program as highly qualified dental hygiene professionals who provide the highest quality oral health care services to the community, advance the art and science of dental hygiene via research and other scholarly activities and sponsor services that validate the programs of the university.

Program Goals

• Expand career opportunities for registered dental hygienists
• Refine the professional skills sets of the dental hygienists
• Prepare dental hygienists for graduate studies

For more detailed information see our brochure.

NOTE: The University of New Mexico cannot confirm whether this program leads to licensure or advanced certification in your home state. Prior to applying for admission, contact your state dental board to assure that, upon completion of the program, you are qualified to obtain a license or other form of certification if desired. If you need assistance contacting the licensing agency in your state, contact UNM Online at (866) 869-6040.