Dentistry deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and malformations of the teeth, gums and oral cavity. A student participating in this dual-degree program spends three years at New Jersey City University as Biology major pursuing a B.S. degree. In the second year, the student applies for acceptance to the dual-degree program. After the second year, the student takes the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) and applies to RDSM. If accepted, the student spends the following four years at RDSM. After the successful completion of the first year at RDSM, NJCU will grant the student a B.S. degree in Biology. After completing the fourth year of study at RDSM, the student is granted the degree of Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.).

This program is designed for students entering NJCU from high school, with placements into college-level composition and math courses. Transfer students are not guaranteed to have completed coursework appropriate to join the combined B.S./D.M.D. program. English Composition, Biology, Chemistry and Organic Chemistry must be completed by the end of the second year of study at NJCU to ensure proper preparation for the DAT. All prerequisite science and math courses and their labs will be completed at NJCU after the time of first enrollment at NJCU. A minimum of five (5) biology major courses must be completed at NJCU. A minimum grade of “B” must be attained in each Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math course, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, and a minimum science GPA of 3.5 are required for acceptance to and retention in the program. No withdrawal or incomplete grades are permitted in any dental school prerequisites. A minimum of 33 credits must be completed in NJCU’s General Education Program courses.

Applications and DAT scores must be submitted to AADSAS by December 1st of the year preceding RDMS enrollment. The minimum required DAT scores are: Academic Average 20, Total Science 20. Applicants who meet the objective academic criteria noted above may be invited to an interview with the RDMS Admissions Committee. However, an invitation to an interview does not guarantee acceptance into the dental program. Applicants not invited to an interview, or not selected for admission to RDMS, shall be notified as early as possible, and may reapply for regular admission to RDMS in the following year through AADSAS. Courses intended for transfer from RSDM to NJCU must be completed during the first year of study at RSDM. Any student who does not complete the first year of study at RSDM may return to NJCU to complete the BS degree in Biology.

1. As required by the affiliation agreement, the student will receive the B.S. degree in Biology from New Jersey City University following successful completion of the first year of the Rutgers—School of Dental Medicine curriculum.
2. This program is designed for students entering NJCU from high school, with placements into college-level composition and math courses. Transfer students are not be guaranteed to have completed coursework appropriate to join the combined B.S./D.M.D. program.
3. English Composition, Biology, Chemistry and Organic Chemistry must be completed by the end of the second year of study at NJCU to ensure proper preparation for the DAT.
4. All prerequisite science and math courses and their labs must be completed at NJCU subsequent to the time of first enrollment at NJCU.
5. A minimum of five (5) biology major courses must be completed at NJCU.
6. Minimum science GPA is 3.5, with no grades below “B”, subject to change.
7. No withdrawal or incomplete grades in any dental school prerequisites.
8. A minimum of 36 credits required from NJCU General Education Program courses.
9. Applications must be submitted to AADSAS by December 1st of the year preceding NJDS enrollment.
10. DAT scores must be submitted to the RDMS Office of Admissions by January 1st of entering year.
11. Minimum DAT scores: Academic Average 20, Total Science 20.
12. Applicants who meet the objective academic criteria noted above may be invited to an interview with the NJDS Admissions Committee. However, applicants are advised that the invitation to an interview does not guarantee acceptance into the dental program.
13. Applicants not invited to an interview, or not selected for admission to NJDS, shall be notified as early as possible, and may reapply for regular admission the following year through AADSAS.
14. Courses intended for transfer from RSDM to NJCU must be completed during the first year of study at RSDM.
15. Any student who does not complete the first year of study at RSDM may return to NJCU to complete the BS degree in Biology.

Student Learning Outcomes 

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the factual and theoretical basis of biology including mechanisms on the molecular, cellular, organismal, and systems levels.
2. Demonstrate understanding of scientific inquiry and explain how scientific knowledge is discovered and validated.
3. Apply quantitative knowledge and reasoning to describe or explain phenomena in the natural world.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of basic principles of chemistry and their application to understanding living systems.
5. Communicate scientific information in written and/or oral formats.