The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree Program in Dental Hygiene is comprised of lecture courses in dental and health sciences along with clinical and hands-on experience. The 78 credit curriculum is offered as a "fast-track" 17-month program (PDF), a two-year day program (PDF) or a three-year day program (PDF), or a three-year evening program (PDF). Dental hygiene students are prepared to perform competently in providing preventive and therapeutic patient oral health care. The dental hygiene program, located within the NYU College of Dentistry, allows students to work side by side with dental (DDS) students, dental faculty and dental hygiene faculty in the clinical portion of the curriculum. By working in these clinical settings with culturally diverse patients, dental hygiene students gain invaluable knowledge and experiences.
NYU Dentistry offers an accelerated, continuous, 17-month, Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in dental hygiene.
The Fast-Track AAS degree program, the first of its kind in New York State, is designed specifically to enable highly motivated students to gain access to the same innovative, high quality education as that offered by the traditional two-to-three year course of study, but in a more concentrated period.
The two-year track is often the most sought-after track of the AAS degree program. It is also the most condensed of the tracks due to its heavy credit load with semesters averaging 18-20+ credits (full-time status at NYU is 12-20 credits).
The three-year day track extends the full-time two year Associate curriculum, allowing students to complete the required 78 credit program through a less intense full-time credit load.
Some liberal arts courses may be offered online as well.
NYU Dentistry offers an accelerated degree track within its dental hygiene program for advanced students, creating a path for dentists with international dental degrees who want to pursue careers in dental hygiene. Students will earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in dental hygiene in the 12-month program. Pre-testing and a 5-week practicum are required before enrollment into the program.