Pre-Dentistry Program

About the Pre-Dentistry Program

Arcadia University offers several routes for completion of the requirements for admission to schools of dentistry.  While pre-dentistry students usually major in Biology or Chemistry, dental schools will accept a student with an excellent record regardless of major, provided the student has a solid foundation in the basic sciences and mathematics. 

Dental Admission Test (DAT)

Satisfactory performance on the Dental Admission Test (DAT) is required. The DAT normally is taken in the spring of the junior year or the summer prior to the senior year for students planning to enter dental school immediately following graduation.

Minimum Recommended Courses

The following courses are recommended for students interested in applying to dental school:

• BI 101 General Biology I (4 Credits)
• BI 102 General Biology II (4 Credits)

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• CH 101 General Chemistry I (4 Credits) and
• CH 102 General Chemistry II (4 Credits)

• or

• CH 111 Conceptual Chemistry I (4 Credits) and
• CH 112 Conceptual Chemistry II (4 Credits)

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• CH 201 Organic Chemistry I (4 Credits)
• CH 202 Organic Chemistry II (4 Credits)

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• CH 303 Biochemistry (4 Credits) or
• BI 340 Biochemistry (4 Credits)

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• PH 201 Fundamental Concepts of Physics I (4 Credits) and
• PH 202 Fundamental Concepts of Physics II (4 Credits)

• or

• PH 211 Conceptual Physics I (4 Credits) and
• PH 212 Conceptual Physics II (4 Credits)

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• MA 141 Elementary Statistics (4 Credits)

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• EN 101 Thought, Expression, and Advocacy (4 Credits) and
• EN 201 Thought and Expression II (4 Credits)

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• BI 242 Reading and Writing in Biology (4 Credits)

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• PY 111 Introduction to Psychology (4 Credits)

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• SO 101 Introductory Sociology (4 Credits)

Recommended Electives

In addition to the minimum science courses, a strong background in the liberal arts and social sciences is recommended, as is volunteer work or an internship in a dental setting. Proficiency in the Spanish language, coursework in bioethics, and study abroad are all considered favorably by professional schools.

Other courses highly recommended as electives include:

• BI 211 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology (4 Credits)

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• BI 205 Human Anatomy (4 Credits) and
• BI 206 Human Physiology (4 Credits)

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• BI 323 Microbiology (4 Credits)
• BI 325 Cell Biology (4 Credits)
• BI 327 Histology (4 Credits)
• BI 333 Molecular Biology (4 Credits)

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• CH 303 Biochemistry (4 Credits) or
• BI 340 Biochemistry (4 Credits)

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• BA 101 International Business (4 Credits)
• CM 110 Speech Communication (4 Credits)
• FA 102 Studio Art Foundations I (3 Credits)
• MA 201 Calculus I (4 Credits)
• SP 240 Spanish for Medical Careers (4 Credits)