Master of Science in Dentistry - Orthodontics

The Master of Science in Dentistry - Orthodontics (MSD) program is to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct an ethical, patient-centered, evidence-based practice in the specialty of orthodontics. The MSD curriculum is structured for a balanced work load to allow time for each postgraduate student to broaden their clinical and didactic experiences as well as provide opportunities to gain additional experiences in areas of special interest. Postgraduate students who complete the program are expected to have developed their skills and knowledge to the level of a specialist in orthodontics as approved by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation. This implies the student will have had considerable didactic background and direct experiences with patients exhibiting a variety of malocclusion presentations. The MSD program curriculum and experiences are designed to prepare graduates not only for successful entry into the contemporary practice of orthodontics, but to provide a scientific foundation for future growth in the field. In addition to clinical expertise, the graduate should have superior abilities in interpreting new evidence-based procedures and concepts available to the profession and public. An evidence-based understanding of the specialty’s knowledge base will be emphasized in seminar discussions, the clinical environment, through the core curriculum of the MSD program, and in research experiences.

Curriculum 

Year 1, Summer B, Header (5/29/25-8/8/25)

Course ID	Course Title	Credits
GDENT701	Preclinical Instruction	1
GDENT710	Head and Neck Anatomy Review	0.5
GDENT834	Advanced Topics in Radiology	1
Semester Total		2.5

Year 1, Fall A (8/18/25-12/19/25)

Course ID	Course Title	Credits
GDENT800	Research Methodologies	1.5
GDENT801	Teaching Methods	1.5
GDENT878	Oral Medicine	1.5
GDENT899	Research Thesis	1
GORTH710	Contemporary Orthodontics	2
GORTH732	Literature Review	1
Semester Total		8.5

Year 1, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

Course ID	Course Title	Credits
GDENT863	Dental Ethics/Behavioral Management	1
GDENT829	Innov & Resch in Oral Health	1
GDENT868	Advanced Oral and Maxillo Path	2
GDENT899	Research Thesis	1
GORTH745	Literature Review II	1
Semester Total		6

Year 2, Summer A, Header (5/1/25-8/14/25)

Course ID	Course Title	Credits
GDENT899	Research Thesis	1
GORTH746	Literature Review III	0.5
Semester Total		1.5

Year 2, Fall A (8/18/25-12/19/25)

Course ID	Course Title	Credits
GDENT899	Research Thesis	1
GORTH747	Literature Review IV	1
Semester Total		2

Year 2, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

Course ID	Course Title	Credits
GDENT899	Research Thesis	1
GORTH748	Literature Review V	1
Semester Total		2

Year 3, Summer A, Header (5/1/25-8/14/25)

Course ID	Course Title	Credits
GORTH749	Literature Review VI	1
GDENT899	Research Thesis	2
Semester Total		3

Year 3, Fall A (8/18/25-12/19/25)

Course ID	Course Title	Credits
GDENT899	Research Thesis	2
GORTH750	Literature Review VII	1
Semester Total		3

Year 3, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

Course ID	Course Title	Credits
GDENT899	Research Thesis	2
GORTH751	Literature Review VIII	1
Semester Total		3
Curriculum Total		31.5