Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

Pre-Dentistry


Pre-Professional Studies are designed for students planning to pursue further study at a professional school. Students are encouraged to meet with an advisor as soon as possible to discuss course selection, to gather information regarding admission requirements for professional schools, and to select an appropriate undergraduate major. Please note that Pre-Professional Studies are NOT majors, an EMU degree will not be awarded.


Most students select either a chemistry major and biology minor or a biology major and chemistry minor as preparation for admission to dental school. The exact requirements for a particular dental school can be found in the publication Admission Requirements of U.S. and Canadian Dental Schools, available in the office of the predentistry advisor.

The majority of pre-dental students complete four years of undergraduate work, earning a B.S. degree. Since admission to dental school is very competitive, it is recommended that alternative career plans be a part of every pre-dental student’s program.

Students seeking admission to dental school take the Dental Aptitude Test, usually late in the junior year or early in the senior year. Application is generally made between August and December for the class beginning the following fall. Virtually all dental schools require the use of a central agency, the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service, when applying for admission.

Science courses required for admission into most dental schools are listed below. Careful scheduling will allow the student to complete these courses in three years.  

Advisor Information


Gregg Wilmes, PhD, Associate Professor, 541 Science Complex, 734.487.0106

Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting


Eastern Michigan University offers no degrees or certificates in these areas. Two-year certificates and four-year degree programs are available at the University of Michigan, Ferris State University, and the University of Detroit-Mercy. Two-year programs also are available at numerous community colleges.

Students interested in these programs should plan to transfer after completing their first year at EMU. Liberal arts preparation in English composition, speech, chemistry (CHEM 117 /118 ), psychology, sociology, and political science, plus electives in social science, natural science and humanities, generally will be transferable. More specific descriptions of requirements should be obtained by writing to the schools in question since requirements vary from school to school.