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PhD Program

Program description.

The Oral Health Sciences PhD program usually requires five years.  Students are expected to devote the full twelve-month year to their graduate work (allowing time for vacation and holidays).  Graduate students will have the opportunity to assist in the teaching program of the department as a practical means of gaining experience in the presentation of lectures and laboratory work.  Some opportunities exist to teach to dental and graduate students.

Courses Requirements

The course requirement is a minimum of 90 credits (including at least 27 credits of thesis).  Through their coursework, students are expected to gain proficiency in one or more basic biologic sciences and to master modern biological approaches in addition to gaining expertise in the subject area of oral and craniofacial sciences.  At least 19 credit hours must come from courses in departments other than Oral Health Sciences, and of the 19, 12 must be science courses.  Of the 19 credits, a minimum of six (6) credits must be CONJ or PABIO courses, a minimum of six (6) credits must be non-OHS science courses, plus at least one non-science course should be completed. These will include courses offered through the Molecular and Cell Biology Program and courses selected to match the basic science interests of the student.  Cross-disciplinary training in Bioengineering is also available.  Courses in the School of Public Health such as the Epidemiology series are also available to students interested in Dental Public Health research.  All graduate students are also expected to attend and participate in departmental seminars (OHS 575).

Following is an approximate timeline for completion of the PhD degree.  Because each student’s program and research goals will vary, completion of the requirements for the PhD degree may not necessarily follow this timeline.

Pathway to Oral Health Sciences PhD (PDF)

Schedule by Year

• Year 3 to Completion

Initial Course Work. All new students meet with the Graduate Program Coordinator before the start of classes in the Summer or Autumn Quarter to consider the student’s course work.  The selection of courses will depend on the student’s background, research goals, and interests.

Research Rotation . During each quarter of the first year of graduate study, the student will register for OHS 578, Research Techniques.  The purpose of this course is for students to carry out research projects with 1-2 faculty members in order to prepare for the choice of their PhD project mentor and to learn a variety of research methods.

Course Work . Students will continue to take courses that will include the remainder of the core courses required in Oral Health Sciences and courses in other disciplines relevant to the student’s dissertation research.

Teaching.  Students are encouraged to take elective courses offered through the Medical Education and Graduate School which will help them in their future teaching careers.  Also, beginning in the second year, graduate students will have the opportunity to take part in teaching one of the Department courses for undergraduate dental students.  This experience prepares students for teaching responsibilities after receipt of the PhD and provides a good opportunity for consolidation of the student’s general oral biology background.

Research. Early in the second year of study, the student is expected to choose a thesis adviser and to define a dissertation problem.

The Supervisory Committee . Once a thesis mentor and research direction have been chosen, the student and mentor will select a Supervisory Committee.  This should be done in year two of the training.  The committee is composed of at least four faculty members, at least three of whom (Including the Chair and the Graduate School Representative) must be members of the Graduate Faculty with an endorsement to chair doctoral committees.  The Graduate Program Coordinator will forward the list of recommended committee members to the Dean of the Graduate School who will officially appoint the Supervisory Committee.  In accordance with Graduate School regulations, the Supervisory Committee will be responsible for advising and directing the student throughout the PhD program.

The General Examination. Late in the second year, the student will take the General Examination. This examination is in the format of a written research grant proposal that is presented to the PhD supervisory committee. All required coursework must be completed at this time. The purposes of this examination are (1) to determine whether the student is capable of recognizing an important research question in oral and craniofacial sciences, (2) to determine whether the student is able to develop this question into a comprehensive proposal complete with preliminary findings and suggested methods of procedure, and to orally defend the proposal, and (3) to provide the student an opportunity to receive feedback from the Supervisory Committee on the proposed research project.

The student will primarily engage in thesis research and additional advanced coursework.

The Dissertation and the Dissertation Examination. When the candidate has completed the research project, written the dissertation, and had it approved by the reading committee, the mentor will obtain approval from the Graduate School and set a date for the Final Examination.  The Final Examination will be concerned principally with the subject matter of the dissertation and is conducted as an open seminar followed by examination by the Supervisory Committee.

The research project for the PhD dissertation will be chosen by the candidate and adviser and be approved by the candidate’s Supervisory Committee.  The research must represent a worthy and fundamental contribution showing originality in concept and implementation.

Core Courses

The following courses are mandatory program requirements:

List of Conjoint/PABIO Offerings

Following is an example list of the CONJ/PABIO courses.

Recommendations for Prerequisites

Some students may need to take some lower level division courses in order to prepare for required classes. See the following list for suggestions:

Other Non-OHS Science Electives

Following is an example list of non-OHS science electives.  Students are expected to take include courses in bioengineering, epidemiology, immunology, or other basic biological/medical sciences as appropriate for their research interests.  The student will work with the Graduate Program Director and their mentor to select appropriate elective courses in their chosen basic biological science pathway. The list below is not meant to be exhaustive. Consult with the Graduate Program Director for potential approval of substitutions.

Other Oral Health Sciences Electives

Courses to prepare for teaching.

To prepare for teaching, students may take at least one class on educational methods. In addition, students may train undergraduate students enrolled in OHS 449 (Undergraduate Research). Consult with your PI. Such credits will not fulfill the requirement for non-OHS science courses but will count toward the total credits required. Suggested courses include, but are not limited to:

Biomedical Research Integrity Series

Students are also required to attend and participate in the Biomedical Research Integrity Series. This is a non-credit summer course taught through the Department of Medical History & Ethics and consists of a series of lectures and discussion groups. Each student will need to attend a minimum of three lectures and three discussion groups.  NIH Trainees are required to attend every year of the duration of their federal funding.

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Oral Health Sciences PhD

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The doctor of philosophy degree in Oral Health Sciences is a program of the Rackham Graduate School , offered at the School of Dentistry. The primary objective of this program is to train outstanding students to become leaders in academic research in oral health science.

Major areas of study include: developmental craniofacial biology; mineralized tissue biology and musculoskeletal disorders; oral and pharyngeal cancer; oral health disparities; oral infectious and immunologic diseases; oral sensory systems and central circuits; and tissue engineering and regeneration.

Admitted students engage in at least 3 research rotations in faculty labs, a foundation biostatistics course as well the following courses: cell and molecular biology, tissue engineering and regeneration and oral health science journal club and seminar series. Admitted students are able to select advanced courses in basic science, oral health and the area of their research specialization. By the end of the second year, PhD students will engage in a preliminary oral exam advancing them to candidate level PhD training.

Please, take the time to review the information on our webpages to learn more about the OHS PhD program, the requirements and the process of application. Note different deadlines for different tracks. Questions about application procedures and forms may be sent to [email protected] .

OHS PhD PROGRAM TRACKS

OHS PhD snapshot:

• 5-6 year research training program
• Application to Rackham Graduate School
• Application Deadline December 5
• Admit for Summer Term (June or July 1)
• Academic Plan

The DDS/PhD program at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry provides training in dentistry and research through a series of clinical and research experiences and course work. Students are admitted to both the DDS program and the Oral Health Sciences PhD program.

• 7-8 year research and clinical training program
• Only open to US Citizens or permanent residents
• Application for DDS through AADSAS
• Application for OHS PhD to Rackham Graduate School
• Please Note: The DDS/PhD is a student-initiated Dual Degree not a Rackham Dual Degree (do not check the Rackham box for dual degree)
• PhD Application Deadline is October 15, please check here for DDS application due date.
• Email letter of intent to apply to the dual degree DDS/PhD program, addressed to Dr. Yuji Mishina, Program Director. Send to [email protected]

LICENSURE DISCLOSURE

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry DDS/PhD program is accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry DDS/PhD program was designed to satisfy educational prerequisites to licensure for dentistry only in the state of Michigan. It has not been determined whether educational prerequisites to licensure would be satisfied in other states.

Students should consult the dental board in their state to confirm if the degree from University of Michigan School of Dentistry meets the criteria for professional licensure in their state. Contact information for the state dental boards can be found at the American Dental Association.

The program, which requires a minimum of six years, is designed to build advanced knowledge and skillsets in scholars who aspire to become clinician-scientists to advance our understanding of craniofacial diseases and disorders. Integrated into the program are biomedical graduate and advance science courses, research training, specialty residency education, interactive instructions in Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship, leadership and professional development. With the full commitment of the faculty team, the OHS program, the specialty programs, the School of Dentistry, and Rackham School of Graduate Studies, our ultimate goal is to prepare the scholars to become leaders, educators and researchers in the field of craniofacial diseases and disorders to advance academic dentistry and public health.

• 2025 Admissions Cycle Update. Unfortunately, the DSPP program will not be accepting applications for the next admission cycle, but will be interested in applicants for the 2026 admissions cycle. That application will open in June 2025.
• 6-7 year combined research PhD with dental specialty masters
• Application for Specialty Program by the deadlines provided:
• Endodontics
• Periodontics
• Orthodontics
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Application for OHS PhD to Rackham Graduate School - due October 15 Please Note : The MS/PhD is a student-initiated Dual Degree not a Rackham Dual Degree (do not check the Rackham box for dual degree)
• Email letter of intent to apply to the dual degree MS/PhD program, addressed to 'Dr. Yuji Mishina, Program Director. Send to [email protected]
• NIDCR Dental Specialty and PhD Programs Funding Opportunity

Future Faculty Track OHS PhD (FFT)

Eligibility is for individuals who have been chosen to be future faculty and are fully supported by their University, Institution/Organization or Government to pursue rigorous basic science training in oral health sciences. Program and application is the OHS PhD track.

FFT snapshot:

Each PhD track is intended to be fully funded for admitted students. In most cases, funding is provided by both the program/the trainee's faculty mentor.

OHS PhD FACULTY

View the comprehensive list of faculty available to OHS PhD students.

OHS FACULTY DIRECTORY

CURRENT OHS STUDENTS

CURRENT STUDENTS

APPLICATION AND REQUIREMENTS

The program is most appropriate for advanced students who hope to eventually join the faculty of a dental or medical school. Entering students should have a strong background in basic science at the undergrad university level.

Application to the Oral Health Science Programs is through Rackham Graduate School’s application portal . Please select Admissions from the menu and the Ann Arbor Campus. Oral Health Sciences is found under the Dentistry heading. The application system is called CollegeNet/Apply Web.

If you or your recommender need technical assistance regarding the application or recommendation systems please email ApplyWeb at [email protected] . Include the following information: user name, full name, email address, and phone number. Please allow 24 hours for a response.

Oral Health Sciences PhD Program Application Code: 00360

Requirements

• GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale
• PhD, MS/PhD and FFT - no minimum score
• DDS/PhD - DAT - score replaces GRE
• 3 for PhD and FFT
• 2 for DDS/PhD and MS/PhD

Transcripts

• Statement of Purpose (SOP)- Should be concise, well written statement about your academic and research background that also describes your future career goals. In this statement, answer the question: How can the OHS Program help meet your career and educational goals? Length 1-2 pages.
• Personal Statement (PS) - Describes your journey that led you to the pursuit of a graduate degree. Length 1 page
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume - This should be 1-4 pages and include education, work and/or research experience, publications, lectures and seminars, poster presentations, awards/scholarships, volunteer opportunities.
• For International students: English Proficiency Requirements
• Note: GRE - The University of Michigan’s Rackham Graduate School will discontinue the use of the Graduate Record Examination general test in Rackham Ph.D. admissions decisions, beginning with the 2022-2023 admissions cycle.

Application Fee

The application fee is due when you submit your application. The fee is non-refundable and subject to change. Applications submitted without the fee will be withdrawn from the review process.

Rackham Application Fee and Waivers Information

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

If you need an F-1 or J-1 visa, the University of Michigan is required by the U.S. government to obtain documentation proving that international applicants (non-U.S. Citizens) have adequate financial resources to provide for their expenses while in the United States. Rackham Admissions is the U-M office that will prepare your I-20 or DS-2019 after you have provided the required documents through Wolverine Access.

For instructions and information, please review the Immigration documents .

ADMISSIONS CALENDAR

Dual Degree interviews (DDS/PhD or MS/PhD) will be coordinated in conjunction with offered DDS or Specialty interview dates. Interviews for these tracks are typically in-person and conducted at the School of Dentistry. Applicants should communicate with the OHS PhD Office when dates have been offered. Email [email protected] .

PhD interviews typically run late January through February. Applicants who are offered an interview will be notified via email. Interviews for PhD or FFT can be offered online (via Skype) or in person depending on the applicant’s location.

School of Dentistry, Office of Research and Research Training 1011 N. University G306, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 734-763-3388 | [email protected]

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Academic program coordinator.

Apply Curriculum Current OHS PhD Students OHS PhD Faculty --> OHS Alumni Return to Oral Health Sciences

Applicants who attended or are attending a U.S. Institution

• Upload an electronic version of your official transcript(s) for each Bachelors, Masters, Professional, or Doctoral degree earned or in-progress through your ApplyWeb application account.
• If you are recommended for admission, the Rackham Graduate School will require official transcript(s). Recommended applicants will receive an email notification when the official transcript(s) are required for submission. All students are asked to include an electronic unofficial transcript during the online application.

Applicants who attended or are attending a Non-U.S. Institution:

Review Required Academic Credentials from Non-U.S. Institutions for transcript/academic record requirements by country or region. Submitting transcript/academic records is a two-step process.

• Upload an electronic version of your official transcript/academic record for each institution attended through your ApplyWeb application account.
• At the time of application, you must also submit an official transcript/academic record for each institution attended.

Rackham Graduate School provides detailed instructions on how to submit transcripts/academic records to the Rackham Graduate School.