Entrance Requirements

The Department’s minimum admission requirements are a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or equivalent with an admission GPA of at least 3.4 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution, (see: Academic Requirements  for details on Graduate GPA calculation).

Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (refer to English Language Requirement ). Any one of the following is acceptable:

• TOEFL (internet-based) minimum score 95 and the following minimum score on each of the individual skill areas: Listening 22, Reading 22, Speaking 26, and Writing 24.
• CAEL minimum score of 80 with at least 70 on each subtest;
• or an IELTS (Academic) minimum score of 7.5 with at least 7 on each band.

All applicants are also required to provide the following:

• a current curriculum vitae
• a statement of intent
• three letters of recommendation (two must be professional)
• An official letter from the Dean of the Dental School stating that the applicant had no professional conduct issues.
• Letter(s) of good standing from current and all previous licensing bodies. For candidates in a GPR program, a letter from the Director of Graduate Studies stating they are in good standing with no professional conduct issues is required.
• Applicants that are not licensed by Alberta Dental Association and College (ADA&C), need to be registered on the Education and Research Register from the ADA&C by August 1 prior to starting the program.
• A personal interview is required for short-listed applicants. These applicants will be advised of the arranged interview date by email.

Admission is dependent upon the approval of the Graduate Orthodontics Admission SubCommittee, the Department of Dentistry’s Graduate Studies Committee, and the Medical Sciences Graduate Program Committee.

For the MSc in Orthodontics the application deadline is September 1 for the following September admission.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 71 units in required coursework. The program also consists of seminars, a clinical component and a thesis. Student progress will be monitored through written and/or oral external assessment. Feedback from this assessment serves to identify areas that require additional attention by the student. The assessment will permit the development of specific clinical and/or didactic improvement objectives before the next assessment.

The program of study is determined by the Director of Graduate Studies in consultation with the supervisor and supervisory committee.

Student progress may be monitored through written and/or oral assessment. Feedback from this assessment serves to identify areas that require additional attention by the student. The assessment will permit the development of  specific clinical and/or didactic improvement objectives before the next assessment.

Requirements for Clinical courses

These requirements must be met prior to starting the clinical courses. If there is an associated fee, students are responsible for the costs incurred.

• Medical Testing and Immunization Requirements: To ensure, insofar as possible, both student and patient safety, the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry requires that all students must have their immunization status reviewed and updated as necessary by a qualified healthcare professional upon acceptance into a health sciences program. (University Infectious Diseases Regulation)
• Police Information Checks and Protection for Persons in Care: Applicants should be aware that a clear Police Information Check (PIC) is required as a condition of admission and that any criminal charges pending must be declared. (Requirement for Police Information Checks); (Protection for Persons in Care)
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR) is required for all students registered in the program. The School will only accept Canadian or American Heart and Stroke: Basic Life Support CPR for healthcare providers.  No other courses will be accepted to meet the CPR requirement. Students must provide evidence of valid CPR certification at the beginning of each fall term throughout the course of their program. A CPR BLS Provider certificate is valid for one year from the completion date of the course. Online CPR course certifications will NOT be accepted; students must attend an in-person course. Students who do not have current Basic Life Support Provider CPR certification cannot participate in clinical courses. You may visit the Heart and Stroke website to find courses offered in Basic Life Support CPR for health care providers.
• We encourage all students, even those with existing certification, to ensure their certification will cover the entire academic year. Students with existing certification are strongly encouraged to renew early to be in sync with the academic calendar. Students are responsible for the costs associated with this training.
• Professional Standards for Students in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry: (Professional and Ethical Standards)
• The Department of Dentistry Technical Standards Policy: defines the necessary knowledge, skills, professional behaviors, and attitudes expected of students. (Technical Standards)

Length of Program

The minimum time required to complete the MSc is three years.

The maximum time permitted to complete the program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is four years.

Fees

Students are responsible for all program-related fees.