Masters (MSc) Orthodontics
The MSc program provides the academic and clinical experience for a successful private practice career. This program usually takes three-years to be completed. Program completion will depend on fulfilling program requirements including; coursework, clinical case completion, and defence of research findings (thesis). There may be an opportunity to present the research results at scientific meetings and/or seminars.
Graduate students in this program are provided with knowledge to challenge the National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE) national specialty examination.
Applications open: May 1
Applications close: September 1
For admission to the Fall term in the year following application submission.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all required documents are received by the application deadline noted above or the application will not be considered for admission.
Once you submit and pay for your application, you can use the GSMS Portal (Not Bear Tracks) to check the status of your application, determine if references have been received, replace referees, and upload documents. To access the portal, please sign in using the e-mail address and password initially used when you created your account.
Once you submit and pay for your application, your referees will receive a notice from the online application system requesting that their reference be submitted within two weeks of receiving the request.Meet the eligibility requirements established by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Graduate Orthodontic Program Admission Subcommittee, and the Medical Sciences Graduate Program Committee.
An academic record that satisfies the basic entrance requirements does not necessarily guarantee admission. Enrollment in this graduate program is limited and the number of qualified applicants greatly exceeds the number of yearly positions available. Admission will be based on demonstrated academic excellence, community involvement, quality of letters of recommendation and interview performance.
Completion of a DDS Degree and Minimum GPA
The Mike Petryk School of Dentistry requires the completion of a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or equivalent degree is required, with a minimum admission GPA of 3.4 on a 4-point scale or equivalent.
Admission GPA will be calculated using the last *60 of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.
Dental Experience and Licensure
The Mike Petryk School of Dentistry requires the completion of at least one year of clinical experience as a licensed dentist or in a clinical graduate/postgraduate program within 12 months of the program start date.
Although a current Albertan dental license is not a requirement to apply, preference may be given to candidates who have successfuly completed the National Dental Examining Board of Canada's (NDEB) Certification Process.
English Language Proficiency (ELP)
English is the primary language of instruction and communication at the University of Alberta. All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission either by:
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Possession of an undergraduate degree or its academic equivalent from an academic institution recognized by the University of Alberta, in which the language of instruction is English, or;
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A satisfactory score on an approved English language examination as described below.
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TOEFL internet-based minimum score of 95 and the following minimum score on each of the individual skill areas:
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Listening - 22
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Reading - 22
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Speaking - 26
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Writing - 24
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IELTS (Academic) minimum score of 7.5 with at least 7 on each band
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CAEL minimum score of 70 with at least 70 on each subtest
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Test scores must be valid and verifiable. Test scores cannot be more than two years old.
For application purposes, unofficial test results may be submitted. If admitted to the program, official standardized test results must be issued directly from the testing office.
All required documents must be received by the application deadline.
Applicants should submit supporting documents though the online application portal. Please confirm that your documents meet the Application Requirements for Academic Documents. Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
Applicants are required to submit the following:
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Unofficial transcripts of all academic work in progress or completed at all post-secondary institutions attended.
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Degree Certificates must accompany transcripts that do not clearly indicate that a degree has been conferred/awarded/granted; and the date on which the degree was conferred. Degree certificates must include the date of conferral, the registrar's signature, and a post-secondary institution stamp or seal. Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a notarized English translation.
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A letter from your Dental School noting your graduation ranking (it should includee the number of students in your graduating class and your ranking within the class) is expected if available. Stronger consideration may be given to those that provide such ranking. The letter can be either uploaded directly to your online application as a single pdf document or the Dental School can send the letter directly to dentgrad@ualberta.ca.
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Letter(s) of good standing from current and all previous licensing bodies. For candidates not licensed yet but in a GPR program, a letter from the Program Director stating they are in good standing with no professional conduct issues is required. Letter(s) can be either uploaded directly to your online application as a single pdf document or the licensing bodies can send the letter(s) directly to dentgrad@ualberta.ca.
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Proof of English Language Proficiency.
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The names and contact information of three professional referees who need to provide their recommendation letter before the stated due date
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Curriculum vitae (resume) which includes education, qualifications, publications, community involvement, and previous professional and research experience
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Letter of intent describing why you wish to pursue graduate studies at the University of Alberta.
Applications for the MSc in Medical Sciences (Orthodontics) will be reviewed by all full-time faculty members of the Graduate Orthodontics Program. A previously defined number of applicants will be granted interviews. Applicants that will be interviewed will be advised of the arranged interview time by e-mail.
The interview committee may include full-time Orthodontic Academic staff, an Orthodontic Graduate student, Affiliate Academic staff and a representative from the Orthodontic Alumni/Mentorship Association. Interviewed candidates will be ranked (including any PhD applicant that is also being interviewed) and offers of admission made based on the number of available spots.
Admission to the MSc in Medical Sciences (Orthodontics) is dependent upon the recommendation of the Graduate Orthodontic Program Admission Subcommittee, and the Medical Sciences Graduate Program Committee. The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research office makes the final decision.
Candidates should be prepared to support themselves for the duration of their selected program, although limited funding from scholarships and studentships may be obtained on a competitive basis.
Information on the tuition and fees for Graduate students can be found on the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Website.
Information on the cost of living in Edmonton can also be found here.
A cost-recovery clinical operation fee of $16,127 per year and an equipment and instrumentation-rental fee of $12,023 per year are required in addition to regular instructional and non-instructional fees which can be accessed here. The total Program cost at this time is approximately $50,000 per year which includes the clinical operation fee and equipment and instrumentation rental fee noted above.
*Please note that all fees are subject to change. This is a cost-recovery program and therefore both International and Domestic students pay the same program fee per year.
Orthodontics Faculty Members
Faculty contact information can be found under Our Researchers.
- Dr. Carlos Flores-Mir (Program Director)
- Dr. Paul Major
- Dr. Manuel Lagravere Vich
- Dr. Tarek El-Bialy
Program Information
Completion of the following courses is required:
- DENT 530 (Orthodontic Techniques & Biomechanics)
- DENT 532 (Growth and Development)
- DENT 546, 547, 548 (Orthodontic Seminars)
- DENT 512, 513, 518 (Orthodontic Clinics)
- DENT 560, 561 (TMD/Orofacial Pain Seminars)
- DENT 565 (Evidence-Based Dentistry)
- DENT 567, 568 (Systematic Reviews in Dentistry)
- DENT 607 (Advanced Oral Radiology)
- OBIOL 500 (Oral Biology I)
- OBIOL 501 (Oral Biology II)
- DENT 551 (Introduction to Applied Statistics)
- DENT 552 (Applied Multivariate Statistical Analysis)
- DENT 646, 647, 648 (Orthodontic Seminars)
- DENT 612, 613, 618 (Orthodontic Clinics)
- DENT 746, 747, 748 (Orthodontic Seminars)
- DENT 712, 713, 718 (Orthodontic Clinics)
More courses may be taken over and above what is required for the program based on requirements set by the supervising committee. Any courses being taken over and above what is required for the program should be registered for with the assistance of the Graduate Program Administrator.
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 Studies and Research is four years. Students are required to reside is Edmonton for the entirety of their Clinical program.
Clinical Assessment
Oral assessments are completed during the clinical training. Full-time academic staff will assess diagnosis, treatment planning and treatment skills. Feedback from this assessment will serve to identify weak areas in the student's progress that will permit the development of specific improvement objectives before the next oral assessment. Failure to overcome the limitations will require the student to extend their program or may imply a failing grade in the clinical course(s).
An Education and Research license is required from Alberta Dental Association and College (ADA&C) for the duration of the program. This documentation is due prior to starting the program in the fall term. Candidates who already possess a full license from the ADA&C do not need to obtain additional licensure.