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Requirements & Curriculum

Requirements

Overview

Predentistry is an area of interdisciplinary emphasis, not a major. The predental student usually majors in biology or chemistry; however, a major in another discipline can be arranged. All predental students are encouraged to check in periodically with their adviser to ensure they are on track to meet the requirements of their selected dental school.

Dental School Requirements

In the academic areas of biology, chemistry, physics, English, mathematics, social sciences, and humanities, Luther prepares predental students for acceptance and further study at major dental schools. The Dental Admissions Test (DAT) is administered in the spring semester of the junior year or fall of the senior year. Application to dental school is made during the summer of the junior year and the fall of the senior year. DAP students apply during their freshman or sophomore year.

Internship Opportunities

Students may arrange health-career internships during the three-week January Term as well as during the regular semester. These internships are primarily observational, but they provide a very practical introduction to the many health-care professions. Placements are available in large medical complexes; there are also opportunities to intern in group and solo dental practices. These programs are flexible to allow advisers freedom to match specific internships with the career goals of the individual predental students.

For Iowa Residents - College of Dentistry Deferred Admission Program

The Deferred Admit Program (DAP) allows students who are residents of Iowa to apply to the University of Iowa College of Dentistry as early as the first year at Luther.

Once accepted to DAP, the student pursues three years of a liberal arts curriculum at Luther, after which they may enter the four-year program at the University of Iowa Dental School through the cooperative DAP. After this three-year program, the student moves to the University of Iowa to continue study. After the first year of study at Iowa, credits are transferred to Luther, and the student is awarded a bachelor's degree from Luther College. Upon completion of the dental program, the student will receive their dental degree from the University of Iowa. Most dental schools, including Iowa, encourage students to complete four years of predental education before matriculating. Luther is one of a select few undergraduate colleges formally affiliated with this program.

DAP is specifically designed to provide the student with a solid liberal arts education and at the same time ensure the required science base necessary to succeed in the dental curriculum. The real advantage of DAP is that it encourages students to take interesting, academically rigorous courses without as much concern about their effect on GPA. It also reduces the expense and time involved in applying to many dental schools. Once selected, the student must maintain satisfactory academic performance (3.2 GPA with 3.0 in sciences for Iowa residents) to assure enrollment in the University of Iowa College of Dentistry.

Admission Procedure

DAP admission involves a two-stage process: application and interview. Students should apply to Luther before March 1 of the senior year in high school. During the student's first year at Luther, the student should obtain the DAP Application from the Dental School Admissions Office at the University of Iowa and submit it for consideration. Students admitted to Luther who pass the initial screening for the DAP will be invited to participate in an interview at Iowa City and tour the College of Dentistry. Students selected for the College of Dentistry Deferred Admit Program (DAP) will be notified after the interview.

Curriculum

Individual curriculum plans can be designed for students, regardless of major, in consultation with the predentistry adviser. A typical program involves 98-102 semester hours.

The student must complete 96 semester hours in order to be eligible for the Luther College–University of Iowa Deferred Admit Program (DAP). Testing out of courses such as foreign language or mathematics provides opportunities for more electives.

Mathematics skills up to a minimum of precalculus are necessary, and calculus is desirable.

DAP students will have 24-25 hours of biology. Courses from dental school will complete the major, and the student will be eligible for a bachelor of arts degree in biology from Luther after completing the first year of dental school at the University of Iowa.