Pre-Dentistry

Program Description

The Associate of Arts, AA at JCCC is a general transfer degree and partners well with the first two years of most bachelor degree programs. Students pursuing the AA may select courses that satisfy both the AA degree requirements and lower division requirements for a bachelor’s degree at four-year institutions. The elective hours within the AA allow students to complete additional general education and lower division courses required for specific majors. The AA degree requires completion of 60 credit hours. Meeting with a JCCC counselor is strongly recommended for selection of appropriate courses.

Completing an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree or the Associate of Science (A.S.) at JCCC will satisfy all general education requirements for bachelor’s degrees at UMKC, including the Constitution requirement. It is highly recommended that students complete the associate's degree prior to transfer to UMKC whenever possible.

The UMKC School of Dentistry offers the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program, which students may apply to join after completing 90 credit hours, including the prerequisites defined below. Note: A completed bachelor’s degree (Biology or Chemistry preferred) is required before beginning the UMKC DDS program. Visit the JCCC to UMKC Division of Biological and Biomedical Systems transfer advising guide for more information.

General UMKC Transfer Admission Requirements:

• 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA. 
• Credit/No-credit or Pass/Fail coursework may only be applied to elective coursework and will not apply towards UMKC’s General Education Core or major requirements. requirements 
• Equivalent courses may be repeated but all grades will be averaged for GPA calculation purposes, and students will only receive credit for one attempt. 
• Visit Full transfer admission requirements for more information.

School of Dentistry Admission Requirements: 

• To apply a candidate must have completed 90 college credit hours toward completion of a bachelor’s degree and are eligible to enroll after completing 120 hours of college credit and/or a baccalaureate degree, including prerequisite courses (noted with ** below). 
• Please note: Biology & Chemistry coursework must be completed within 5 years prior to Fall admission entry date to School of Dentistry. 
• 3.0 minimum math/science GPA (3.4 or higher preferred) 
• 360 DAT subscores minimum (380 or higher preferred) 
• Complete the DDS Application via the AADSAS (Associated American Dental Schools Application Service).

The admission process is a selective one. A number of variables will be considered: academic credentials, Dental Admission Test scores, letters of recommendation, investigation of dentistry, community service and your written responses to a series of questions. In addition, an “invitation only” interview is a part of the selection process.

Application Deadline: September 1

It is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to check for updates to all transfer information. This transfer guide is provided as a service and is updated as needed. Degree requirements at the four-year colleges are subject to change by those institutions. To ensure you have the most accurate information about the program, you must meet with an advisor at the transfer institution.