Which Schools Offer Dental Hygiene Programs in Washington State?
Learn about dental hygiene programs in Washington. Get information about programs available and admission requirements to make an informed decision about your education.
Are you considering a career as a dental hygienist in Washington State? Depending on your educational needs, there are a few schools that provide degree programs. Read on to learn more.
What You Need to Know
Dental hygiene programs are available at the associate's, bachelor's and master's degree levels at public colleges and universities in Washington. The 2-year associate's degree programs prepare you for professional licensure and transfer to a bachelor's degree program. Classroom learning is combined with clinical training. Application requirements include transcripts, immunizations, dental hygienist observation, and prerequisite coursework.
Bachelor's degree programs take four years; applicants who are already licensed dental hygienists with an associate's degree may be granted advanced standing. Application requirements are similar to the associate's degree programs - you may also have to undergo a background check. You're required to participate in a teaching component. Students who aren't already working dental hygienists will be qualified to sit for the professional licensing exam upon completion of the program.
The master's degree program offers advanced coursework for those seeking teaching, administrative or related careers. You can take classes online with two brief residency requirements. You have the choice of completing a thesis or final project. Read on to learn more about these programs.
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Southern New Hampshire University
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you reach them. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you.
University of Maryland Global Campus
University of Maryland Global Campus provides affordable, achievable, and flexible pathways to a college degree for adult learners. With over 90 degrees and certificates, UMGC is built to fit your schedule and goals.
University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina offers a wide range of online programs designed for working adults. Earn your degree from a nationally recognized institution with flexible scheduling and strong academic support.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers more than 300 online degree programs, certificates and courses. ASU Online delivers the same rigorous academic programs as on campus, with the flexibility you need to succeed.
Dental Hygiene Associate's Degree Programs in Washington
Columbia Basin College
In this program, you receive classroom instruction in subjects such as oral radiology, dental materials, neck, and head anatomy, restorative dentistry, and periodontics. Another portion of the program is clinical experiences, during which you can practice giving patients oral exams and X-rays, polishing and scaling teeth, administering anesthesia and helping patients quit smoking under the supervision of a dentist or licensed dental hygienist. After completing the program and obtaining licensure, you can seek employment, or you can transfer to a 4-year degree program.
- Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
- Program Length: 2 years (7 quarters), full-time
- Tuition and Fees: $5,288 in-state; $7,258 out-of-state (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: College courses in anatomy and physiology, statistics, sociology, psychology, nutrition, communication, English, chemistry and microbiology with at least a 2.6 GPA
- Requirements: Immunizations, transcripts and critical thinking test
- School Type: 4-year, public; approximately 7,000 undergraduate students
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Lake Washington Institute of Technology's dental clinic allows you to work on patients under the supervision of licensed dental hygienists and dentists. In this program, you take courses in dental hygiene principles, medical emergencies, tooth morphology, embryology, histology and pain control, as well as complete practicums in the dental clinic. By the end of the program, you are prepared to take the licensing exams required to practice dental hygiene.
- Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
- Program Length: 7 quarters, full-time, including a 6-week clinical summer quarter
- Tuition and Fees: $4,251 in-state; $9,618 out-of-state (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: College courses in anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, English, nutrition, psychology, and sociology with at least a B- in each course
- Requirements: Submission of TEAS (Test of Essential Academic) scores, proof of Hepatitis B vaccination or proof of immunity, transcripts, 20 hours observing a dental hygienist in 2 different clinical settings and 2 letters of recommendations
- School Type: 4-year, public; approximately 3,700 undergraduate students
Seattle Central Community College
This degree program prepares you to take the licensing exams and to transfer to a 4-year bachelor's degree program. You take courses in health promotion, dental radiology, emergency dental work, preventive dentistry, and oral biology. The school operates a dental hygiene club, as well as a dental clinic for members of the community where you can treat patients under supervision. During the course of your program, you complete 7 clinical experiences.
- Program Name: Associate of Applied Science Transfer in Dental Hygiene
- Program Length: 7 quarters, full-time
- Tuition and Fees: $3,669 (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: College courses in chemistry, anatomy, and physiology, microbiology, composition, math, psychology, nutrition, sociology and communication with a GPA of at least 2.5; at least 16 hours of dental hygienist observation; computer course if you don't have computer skills
- Requirements: National background check, current first aid/CPR certification, training in HIV/AIDS, vaccinations, TB testing, medical exam, dental exam, employer and community recommendation letters, transcripts and essay
- School Type: 4-year, public; approximately 6,800 undergraduate students
Dental Hygiene Bachelor's Degree Programs in Washington
Eastern Washington University
In the Bachelor of Science program in dental hygiene, you take classes in dental anatomy, radiography, pain control, periodontology, and preventative dentistry. You also gain practical experience through clinical work in dental hygiene and restorative duties, such as inserting tooth-colored and silver amalgam into patients' teeth. A teaching practicum is another program requirement. You're eligible to sit for the state, regional and national licensing exams upon finishing the program; upon earning licensure, you can seek employment at dental facilities, clinics, hospitals or public health centers.
This school also offers a 1-year expanded bachelor's degree program in dental hygiene for those who already have an associate's degree in dental hygiene and a current license in dental hygiene.
- Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
- Program Length: 4 years, full-time
- Tuition and Fees: $7,323 in-state; $24,444 out-of-state (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: 20 hours observing dental hygienists, 20 hours volunteer work or 3 months work experience in a dental office; and coursework in chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, psychology, English, nutrition, and communication
- Requirements: Background check; immunizations for rubella, tetanus, measles, Varicella, diphtheria, and mumps; Hepatitis B vaccination
- School Type: 4-year university, public; approximately 11,400 undergraduate and 1,200 graduates students
Dental Hygiene Master's Degree Programs in Washington
Eastern Washington University
In this program, you'll study dental hygiene theory, research methods, education theory and leadership. A graduation requirement is to either write a thesis or complete an original research project. Courses are completed online; however, you do have to complete 2 on-campus components. Your first visit lasts 1 week, during which you learn about advanced patient treatment and clinical techniques; your second visit is to defend your thesis or present your project at the end of the program. To obtain the teaching/administration concentration, you need to complete 6 additional courses related to this field.
- Program Name: Master of Science in Dental Hygiene
- Field of Study Options: Teaching/administration
- Program Length: 7 quarters for full-time students; 6 years for part-time students
- Tuition: $11,439 in-state; $26,569 out-of-state (2018-2019)
- Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene with 3.0 GPA, passage of Dental Hygiene National Board Examination, current license in dental hygiene, GRE scores, essay, criminal background check, CPR certification and completion of a statistics course
- School Type: 4-year university, public; approximately 11,400 undergraduate and 1,200 graduates students
Columbia Basin College, Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Seattle Central Community College and Eastern Washington University are four public colleges in Washington State that offer degree programs in dental hygiene.
