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Dental Assisting Admission Requirements


To be considered for admission to the dental assisting program, students must complete the following requirements:

Acceptance to the University of Southern Indiana. 

  • To apply to the University, you must complete an admission application with USI Admissions.
  • Dental Assisting applications will be considered for admission after the student has applied and been accepted to the University.

Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale).

  • All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to beginning the Dental Assisting professional curriculum.
  • All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Completion of a Dental Office Observation Form

  • Candidates must complete 8 observation hours in a dental office that employs a dental assistant.
  • Observation forms must be turned in via email to dental.programs@usi.edu 

Candidates for admission must be capable of fulfilling clinical practice requirements.




Required Courses


Pre-requisite Courses (8 hours)

ENG 101 - Rhetoric and Composition I: Literacy and the Self Credits: 3
CMST 101 - Introduction to Public Speaking Credits: 3
HP 115 - Medical Terminology for the Health Professions Credits: 2

Required Coursework (33 hours)

DTAS 122 - Clinical Science I Credits: 5
DTAS 156 - Human Systems I Credits: 3
DTHY 303 - Oral Radiology Credits: 3
DTHY 308 - Applied Dental Materials Credits: 3
DTHY 314 - Oral Anatomy Credits: 2
DTAS 111 - Oral Pathology Credits: 1
DTAS 158 - Practice Management, Ethics, and Jurisprudence Credits: 3
DTAS 166 - Human Systems II Credits: 3
DTAS 175 - Preventive Dentistry Credits: 2
DTAS 181 - Clinical Science II Credits: 5
DTAS 183 - Clinical Science Applications Credits: 3

Pre-requisite Courses (8 hours)

ENG 101 - Rhetoric and Composition I: Literacy and the Self Credits: 3
CMST 101 - Introduction to Public Speaking Credits: 3
HP 115 - Medical Terminology for the Health Professions Credits: 2

First Semester (16 hours)

DTAS 122 - Clinical Science I Credits: 5
DTAS 156 - Human Systems I Credits: 3
DTHY 303 - Oral Radiology Credits: 3
DTHY 308 - Applied Dental Materials Credits: 3
DTHY 314 - Oral Anatomy Credits: 2

Second Semester (17 hours)

DTAS 111 - Oral Pathology Credits: 1
DTAS 158 - Practice Management, Ethics, and Jurisprudence Credits: 3
DTAS 166 - Human Systems II Credits: 3
DTAS 175 - Preventive Dentistry Credits: 2
DTAS 181 - Clinical Science II Credits: 5
DTAS 183 - Clinical Science Applications Credits: 3

Optional Elective (3 hours)

DTAS 291 - Expanded Functions Dental Assisting Credits: 3


How to Apply


Make sure you meet the prerequisites and admission requirements as stated above before applying.

Submit an application to the USI Dental Assisting Program, along with the Dental Office Observation Form, by March 1st of the calendar year you desire admission to the program.