About BS/DMD Professional Scholars Program:
Augusta University offers two program options: 3/4 and 4/4. Both program options provide a lockstep curriculum where courses are taken in a prescribed sequence meant to build on the previous course content. Students enrolled in the accelerated 3/4 program have the option to switch at any time to the 4/4 Program. Due to the nature of the lockstep curriculum students enrolled in the 4/4 program do not have the option to change to the 3/4 program.
Students in the 3+4 BS/DMD Program will take a minimum of 90 credit hours toward the B.S. degree in Cell and Molecular Biology under the direction of the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Science and Mathematics. The requirements for the B.S. degree will be completed with 30 credit hours of coursework taken during the first year of dental school under the direction of the Dental College of Georgia.
Students in the 4+4 BS/DMD Program will take all 120 credit hours required for the B.S. degree in Cell and Molecular Biology under the direction of the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Science and Mathematics.
Students accepted into the BS/DMD Program at Augusta University will be enrolled in a minimum of fifteen credit hours per semester, and they do not have the option to take courses out of sequence, repeat courses, or take courses at another institution during the summer. The BS/DMD Program retains the ability to remove students who do not comply with program requirements, academic requirements, and policies of the Department of Biological Sciences, the Dental College of Georgia, and Augusta University.
Visit our Office of Admissions to see the program's Application & Admissions Information.
Credit for Advanced Placement courses is accepted for pre-calculus, statistics, for the first freshman chemistry course, and for any non-science course. These courses are replaced in the curriculum with electives of the students’ choice. Students are required to report all AP test scores.
All students in the BS/DMD program will be evaluated to a standard of professional competencies consistent with a future career in dentistry. The Professional Scholars Program retains the ability to remove students that do not comply with program requirements, academic requirements, and policies of the Department of Biological Sciences, the Dental College of Georgia, and Augusta University.
In the 3/4 option the first three years of study will consist of coursework necessary to satisfy the majority of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science with a major in Cell and Molecular Biology. Due to the nature of the lockstep curriculum all courses are to be taken during the fall and spring semesters of the academic year. Students enrolled in the 3/4 program will be enrolled in a minimum of fifteen credit hours per semester, and they do not have the option to take courses out of sequence, repeat courses, enroll in summer courses or take courses at another institution during the summer. In the fourth year, students who have successfully completed all program requirements detailed below will join the first year class of dental school at the Dental College of Georgia. After the fourth year, students will receive the baccalaureate degree.
In addition to the benchmarks indicated in the table below, the following must be satisfied in order for students to progress in the program:
| Requirements | Cumulative GPA | Science & Mathematics GPA | Interview | Volunteer Clinical Service | DAT | AADSAS | DCG Secondary Application | Research |
| Year One | 3.6 | 3.6 | Apr. | May begin in the second semester | Begin preparation | May begin spring semester | ||
| Year Two | 3.6 | 3.6 | Continue | Prep course May - Jul. | Jun. - Aug. | Must begin by fall semester | ||
| Year Three | 3.6 | 3.6 | Dec. | 75 Clinical Hrs + 50 Non-Profit Hrs completed by Oct.1 | Completed by Sep. 1 | Completed by Sep. 1 | Completed by Sep. 30 | Completed by Oct. 1 |
Table Notes
Student must achieve a DAT score of not less than the prior year’s Total National DAT Mean of students matriculating into dental school.
Students meeting program requirements will be assigned an interview date by DCG after receipt and verification of the DCG secondary application. Interviews must be completed by December 10th of the 3rd year. Students who have met all requirements and are approved to matriculate into the program at DCG will be required to make a binding commitment by January 6.
In the 4/4 option students will complete all requirements and receive the Bachelor of Science with a major in Cell and Molecular Biology. Due to the nature of the lockstep curriculum all courses are to be taken during the fall and spring semesters of the academic year. Students in the 4/4 program will be enrolled in a minimum of fifteen credit hours per semester, and they do not have the option to take courses out of sequence, repeat courses, or take courses at another institution during the summer. In the fifth year, students who have successfully completed all program requirements detailed below will join the first year class of dental school at the Dental College of Georgia.
In addition to the benchmarks indicated in the table below, the following must be satisfied in order for students to progress in the program:
| Requirements | Cumulative GPA | Science & Mathematics GPA | Interview | Volunteer Clinical Service | DAT | AADSAS | DCG Secondary Application | Research |
| Year One | 3.4 | 3.4 | Apr. | May begin in the second semester | Begin preparation | May begin spring semester | ||
| Year Two | 3.5 | 3.5 | Continue | Begin preparation | Must begin by fall semester | |||
| Year Three | 3.5 | 3.5 | Continue | Prep courses May - Jul. | Jun. - Aug. | |||
| Year Four | 3.6 | 3.6 | Dec. | 75 Clinical Hrs + 50 Non-Profit Hrs completed by Oct.1 | Completed by Sep. 1 | Completed by Sep. 1 | Completed by Sep. 30 | Completed by Oct. 1 |
Table Notes
Student must achieve a DAT score of not less than the prior year’s Total National DAT Mean of students matriculating into dental school.
Students meeting program requirements will be assigned an interview date by DCG after receipt and verification of the DCG secondary application. Interviews must be completed by December 10th of the 4th year. Students who have met all requirements and are approved to matriculate into the program at DCG will be required to make a binding commitment by January 6.
These required professional competencies were derived from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competencies and help define the foundational skills every practicing physician should possess. These form the foundation for assessment in dental school, residency and future practice. The competencies have been modified to levels appropriate for the pre-professional student.
a. Expected of medical professionals: must be able to provide patient care that is
compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and
the promotion of health.
b. Expected of BS/DMD students: must complete a minimum of 75 clinical hours
a. Expected of medical professionals: must demonstrate knowledge of established and
evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological and social-behavioral sciences
b. Expected of BS/MD students: must meet minimum yearly academic requirements to remain
in the BS/DMD Professional Scholars Program
a. Expected of medical professionals: must demonstrate the ability to investigate
and evaluate, appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and to continuously improve
future patient care based on constant self-evaluation and life-long learning.
b. Expected of BS/DMD students: develop skills and habits commensurate to meet the
following goals:
i. identify strengths, deficiencies, and limits in one’s knowledge and expertise
ii. set learning and improvement goals
iii. identify and perform appropriate learning activities
iv. incorporate formative evaluation feedback into daily practice
v. locate, appraise, and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related
to their patients’ health problems
vi. use information technology to optimize learning
vii. participate in the education of others including students, patients, families,
and health professionals when applicable
a. Expected of medical professionals: must demonstrate interpersonal and communication
skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with
others.
b. Expected of BS/MD students:
i. communicate effectively with colleagues, faculty, the public, patients and
families (when applicable), as appropriate, across a broad range of socioeconomic
and cultural backgrounds
ii. work effectively as a member or leader of a team or other pre-professional
group
iii. maintain comprehensive, timely, and legible assignments and communications
c. Students meeting minimum program requirements will be assigned an interview date
with DCG after receipt and verification of the DCG secondary application. Interviews
must be completed by December 10th of the 3rd year (or 4th year if applicable)
a. Expected of medical professionals: must demonstrate a commitment to carrying out
professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles
b. Expected of BS/DMD students: demonstrate:
i. compassion, integrity, and respect for others
ii. responsiveness to others needs that supersedes self-interest
iii. respect for patient privacy and autonomy (when applicable)
iv. accountability to colleagues, faculty, and society which aligns with a future
profession in medicine
v. sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse patient population, including
but not limited to diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion, disabilities,
and sexual orientation
All professional dental scholars will receive a semi-annual review, based upon the above five core competencies, with the BS-DMD program director. All scholars will then be reviewed annually by the BS-DMD Oversight committee, which upon current good standing in the program, will be recommended advancement to the next year of the program. Those individuals who do not meet the above competencies may be referred to a hearing in front of the BS-DMD Oversight committee. The Dental Professional Scholars Program retains the ability to remove students that do not comply with program requirements, academic requirements, and policies of the Department of Biological Sciences, the Dental College of Georgia, and Augusta University.
Derived from: ACGME Common Program Requirements
