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College of Dental Medicine

Study Smarter for a Seamless Entry to Dental School

Join Nova Southeastern University’s Master of Dental Science Certificate program. Designed to provide prospective dental students strong foundational knowledge in upper-level human biological sciences, the certificate makes them a more competitive dental school applicant and well prepared for entry into dental school.

This unique one-year certificate program not only prepares you academically for entry into dental school, but it may also reserve your seat into the Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) program. Successful completion of the M.D.S. program with an overall 3.7 GPA provides students with a reserved seat in the next class of the D.M.D. program. 

To earn the MDS certificate, students must successfully complete all courses in the program with a grade of C or better.

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Why Earn Your Masters Degree at NSU's College of Dental Medicine?

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Opportunity
This program affords a pathway for applicants who have not been accepted to a U.S. accredited dental school.
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Advanced & Innovative Curriculum
This program provides potential dental school applicants with a unique opportunity to increase their foundational knowledge in the medical biological sciences. The curriculum introduces students to a dental school culture by matriculating with the first-year dental class.
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Meet Your Goals
Our one-year certificate program is designed for students interested in applying to U.S. dental schools.
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Reserve Your Seat in Our D.M.D. Program

As a student at NSU, you're not just supported by faculty—you're propelled forward. It's part of what makes us all Sharks. Our innovative Master of Dental Science certificate program is unique in that it offers direct entry into the D.M.D. program. Students who achieve pre-established academic benchmarks in the M.D.S. program will be offered a reserved seat in the CDM. Those who do not achieve these benchmarks will be evaluated to see if they meet the criteria for the guaranteed interview.

Quick Facts

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Tuition
Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.
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Curriculum
The program curriculum is 22 total credits and can be completed in one year, beginning in the fall.
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Application Deadlines
AADSAS Application Due: November 15
NSU Application Due: April 1
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Delivery Options
The College of Dental Medicine M.D.S. program is delivered by a combination of videoconferencing, lecture capture, and on-site lectures at our Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus.

 

Program Curriculum

Fall Semester

Core Required Courses (13 Credit Hours)

Credits

(CDM 1400
Anatomy Lecture/Lab
/Credits: 5)
(CDM 1430
Histology
/Credits: 2)
(CDM 1410
Dental Microbiology
/Credits: 3)
(CDM 1425
Dental Biochemistry & Nutrition
/Credits: 3)

Winter Semester

Core Required Courses (9 Credit Hours)

Credits

(CDM 1411
Dental Immunology
/Credits: 2)
(CDM 1420
Physiology
/Credits: 4)
(CDM1440
Neuroanatomy Lecture/Lab
/Credits: 3)

 

Required Courses

Students must also have earned a grade of 2.0 or better in each of the following required courses:

Required Courses Semester Hours
Biology with lab 8
Chemistry with lab 8
Organic Chemistry with lab 8
Physics with lab 8
Biochemistry 3
Microbiology 3
English 6

Ready for the Next Step?

Great! The first step is to complete your application and submit supporting documents through ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Services (ADEA AADSAS).

Step One: AADSAS Application

NSU participates in the ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS) which provides an interactive, web-based application for the receipt and processing of all applications. AADSAS takes no part in the selection of students.

Go to the AADSAS Application
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Complete your application

Apply to the ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS).
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Send supporting documents listed below to AADSAS by November 15

  1. AADSAS Application
  2. DAT Test Scores
  3. Official transcript from each college, professional school, or university attended.
  4. Three professional letters of recommendation. Two from science professors and one from a liberal arts professor or by individuals who can provide information relevant to the applicant's potential.

Step Two: NSU Online Application

Please fill out the NSU application electronically and submit a nonrefundable, $50 application fee to NSU's Enrollment Processing Services (EPS) at the address below when notified by NSU that your application has been verified by AADSAS. NSU application deadline is April 1.

Apply Now

Dental student smiling with dental x-rays on screen behind.

Submitting Your Materials

Please mail all documents to:

Mailing Address

Nova Southeastern University Enrollment Processing Services (EPS)
College of Dental Medicine, Office of Admissions
3301 College Avenue
P.O. Box 299000
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33329-9905

Inquiries Only

Nova Southeastern University
College of Dental Medicine, Office of Admissions
3301 College Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33328-2018

Phone: (954) 262-1101 or 800-356-0026, ext. 21101