Apply Now!Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene Eastern Washington University (EWU) offers licensed dental hygienists a seamless educational opportunity to attain a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene at the extended campus sites in Vancouver, WA, Tacoma, WA, and Seattle, WA. Courses offered by EWU will be provided on either the Clark College campus in Vancouver, the Shoreline Community College campus in Seattle or the Pierce College Fort Steilacoom campus in Tacoma.
The baccalaureate degree in Dental Hygiene will be awarded by EWU. There is no clinical component to this program. The emphasis is on the expanded roles of the dental hygienist (i.e. researcher, manager, change agent, consumer advocate, and health promoter/educator).
Participants in this flexible program will apply knowledge and skills in different settings with a variety of responsibilities. These educational opportunities will introduce students to the functional roles of the dental hygienist in diverse settings to gain a full awareness of the scope of the profession. The curriculum emphasizes self-directed learning and the use of processes and theoretical frameworks rather than retention of facts. The graduate of this program will be in an excellent position to move into entry-level managerial, research, and advocacy roles, as well as to adapt to new roles emerging in an ever-changing environment.
The following are welcome letters from each of the co-directors with additional information on each of their sites and programs:
- Brenda Walstead, Clark College
- Karen Barter, Shoreline Community College
- Monica L.. Hospenthal, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom and Yakima Valley Community College
Program Length
The length of time for program completion is dependent upon the student's previous college experience and plan of study. Currently, courses are offered on a part-time basis at all three sites and on a full-time basis at Pierce and course sequencing of the 61 credit required courses is planned with the working hygienist in mind. Since the curriculum has a strong practicum emphasis, time must be available during regular work hours to complete practicum activities and projects, however. Usually one day a week is sufficient for part-time study, but more is needed if the student plans to complete the curriculum in one year.
Curriculum
The following curriculum is in place for the Dental Hygiene Expanded Degree Program:
Upper division dental hygiene coursework - 37 credits
- DNHY 485 Oral Health Care Research Design Practicum
- DNHY 486 Oral Healthcare Project Implementation Practicum
- DNHY 487 Oral Health Care Project Evaluation & Report Writing Practicum
- DNHY 470 Research Methods
- DNHY 467 Career Strategies
- DNHY 490 Dental Hygiene Capstone
- DNHY 491 Field Practicum in Educational Theory & Application
- DNHY 492 Field Practicum in Clinical and Laboratory Instruction
- DNHY 493 Field Practicum in Teaching Methods and Assessment
Upper division humanities, social sciences, cultural diversity, international studies coursework - 24 credits
Mission and Goals
The Expanded Dental Hygiene Baccalaureate Degree Program will broaden the educational experiences of the students who have graduated from accredited dental hygiene associate degree programs by providing a liberal arts and broad based general education component, including critical thinking, analysis, writing, researching and reporting skills. This program will also aid the student in gaining a perspective on social, political, and economic issues; understanding other cultural traditions; and developing a personal philosophy in order to make ethical judgments.
To help students gain a full awareness of the scope of the dental hygiene profession, this BS program will introduce students to the functional roles of dental hygienists in a variety of settings. As future health care providers they will be required to apply knowledge and skills in different settings with a variety of responsibilities. Therefore, student's educational experience will include subject matter and practical experience intrinsic to these various roles in order to fully prepare them to interact effectively with society and other health professionals in a competent, collaborative, and ethical manner.
Baccalaureate program goals include the following:
- Educate individuals who are capable of meeting the needs of society, dentistry, and dental hygiene now and in the future.
- Prepare dental hygienists who can function in an increasingly complex, interdisciplinary health care system.
- Develop dental hygienists who have a strong theoretical base in the humanities, psychosocial sciences, basic science and dental hygiene sciences.
- Prepare dental hygienists to be life-long learners who are capable of thinking critically, analyzing and solving problems, and making sound decisions.
- Educate dental hygienists who possess the reasoning, judgment, and leadership skills necessary to identify problems, develop solutions to problems, implement these solutions, and evaluate the effectiveness of these solutions.
- Develop dental hygienists who are willing and able to meet the dental hygiene care needs of those who are elderly, culturally diverse, disadvantaged, and physically challenged.
- Broaden the dental hygienist's skills and knowledge to include the functional roles of practitioner, researcher, manager, change agent, consumer advocate, and health promoter/educator in order to better serve the public by:
- Developing researchers to serve on research teams and use research findings intelligently.
- Preparing managers who can assess, plan, implement, and evaluate human, fiscal, and material resources to meet defined goals of a health care system.
- Developing educator/oral health promoters who can plan, market, implement, and evaluate oral health programs tailored to meet the needs of unique populations in a variety of delivery and community settings.
- Prepare dental hygienists who possess the moral and ethical values/behaviors necessary for effective performance of responsibilities within dental hygiene, dentistry, and society.
- Instill the commitment to contribute actively to the betterment of the profession through professional involvement and continued education.
- Develop communication and leadership skills to participate effectively in the maintenance of the health of community in areas of prevention, education, and care.
- Prepare graduates for advanced professional or graduate education.
Teaching Methods and Learning Environment
The teaching methodology employed by the faculty of the Department of Dental Hygiene is one of active participatory learning. Although the lecture method may be used by some faculty members, you will find a variety of other teaching methods used more often. Learning is facilitated by incorporating a variety of methods and strategies to accommodate different learning styles. Through active participation in the educational process, the value of personal and professional growth becomes realized by the learner.
Examples of learning strategies include lecture, discussion, writing, reading, Web-based and coursework, demonstration, observation, audio-visual aids, instructional modules, library research, role playing, simulation, problem-solving exercises, practical experiences, self-evaluation and self-learning instructor guidance. Group learning projects and exercises are often used to teach the value of teamwork, effective communication, cooperation, and collaborative learning. All of these are important skills in the job market.
We expect that the student is ultimately responsible for his/her own learning. For all coursework, preparation for class is critical. Learning activities in the classroom assume that the student has come to class prepared ahead of time so that he/she has sufficient background knowledge to gain maximum benefit from class time. You are expected to spend a minimum of two hours of preparation/study time for every hour in class.
To facilitate a positive learning environment, it is important you not compare your rate of learning with that of your peers. Much frustration and stress will be alleviated if you recognize individual differences and work progressively towards the accomplishment of individual goals.
Admission Requirements/Qualifications
Eastern Washington University welcomes dental hygiene students transferring from two- and four-year institutions of higher education. University degree requirements vary depending on the number of credit hours a student presents upon entry into the University. Applicants to the dental hygiene expanded degree program must have graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program with a minimum 2.5 GPA and must be licensed to practice dental hygiene in the United States. No high school diplomas or SAT/ACT scores are required. Applicants to the Dental Hygiene Expanded Degree Program are required to make two applications: The first one is to Eastern Washington University (EWU), and the second is to the Expanded Degree Program. Both applications are submitted at one time, and a $92.00 (total) application fee must accompany the applications. Both applications and fees should be sent to the coordinator at each site-not Eastern Washington University's campus. An application packet can now be downloaded from this web site for:
- An EWU application can now be downloaded for first time applicants
- Returning Eastern Washington University students, defined as more than one year since taking a course at EWU. You will need adobe reader to down load the applications.
Having applied for admittance into the university, previous college coursework will be evaluated to see if deficiencies exist. If coursework is required beyond the required 61 credits of the expanded degree program, the applicant will be expected to successfully complete this coursework prior to graduation with a Bachelor's Degree in Dental Hygiene. Following formal transcript evaluation, applicants will receive a copy of the results of the transcript evaluation. The student is ultimately responsible for selecting and successfully completing suitable courses in the deficient areas. The EWU co-director for each site will assist the student in determining which courses will transfer to meet EWU graduation requirements. Seeking advising information is the responsibility of the expanded degree student.
Registration
Registration information is available from the EWU Expanded Degree Program Director office is located at Clark College, Shoreline Community College or Pierce College. Registration takes place on-line via Eagle net.
Tuition, Fees, and Expenses
Eastern's general tuition and fee rates are established by the Eastern Washington University Board of Trustees within limits prescribed by the Washington State Legislature. All fees are subject to change. Unless specifically indicated, all fees are payable to Eastern Washington University through the Student Financial Services Office, 202 SUT, 526 5th Street, Cheney, WA 99004-2431. Any questions regarding billing and tuition should be directed to Student Financial Services or by calling 509-359-6372. Payment of all tuition and fees are due the first day of the quarter.
Financial Aid
Students who have questions about eligibility and availability of financial aid are invited to contact the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office, Sutton Hall, 102 SUT, Cheney, WA 99204-2431. Telephone number is 509-359-2314. FAX number is 509-259-4330. The e-mail address is finaid@ewu.edu or you can check out the web page.
For More Questions About the Program
Questions about the program should be directed to the following individuals:
Brenda Walstead, Clark Expanded Degree Program Co-Director
360-992-2528
bwalstead@clark.eduKaren Barter, Shoreline Expanded Degree Program Co-Director
206-533-6625 (message)
kbarter@comcast.netMonica Hospenthal, Pierce and Yakima Expanded Degree Program Co-Director
253-912-3642
mhospenthal@ewu.eduRebecca Stolberg, EWU Dental Hygiene Chair
509-368-6528
rebecca.stolberg@ewu.eduAnn Wetmore, Expanded Degree Completion Program Co-Director-Spokane
509-368-6585
awetmore@ewu.edu