Pre-Dental Studies

The minimum admission requirements for dental schools in Texas and throughout the United States include an earned bachelor’s degree with the following:

  • 16 semester hours of introductory and advanced biology
  • 8 semester hours of general chemistry
  • 8 semester hours of organic chemistry
  • 4 semester hours of biochemistry
  • 6 semester hours of English composition
  • 3 semester hours of math statistics
  • 4 semester hours of psychology statistics
  • 8 semester hours of general physics

Students applying to the Texas A&M College of Dentistry will also need to complete anatomy and physiology courses.

For the student who intends to finish a baccalaureate degree in four years and afterward enter directly into professional school, the pre-dental curriculum, Dental Admission Test scores, and supporting application materials should be submitted by the end of the junior year of college. Students should further know that an impressive overall grade point average and relatively high DAT mean score do not guarantee acceptance.

Dental school admission committees are increasingly interested in applicants who have participated in significant research, volunteer, and shadowing activities that reflect a genuine concern for others and the potential for leadership in the profession. To learn more about preparing for a career in dentistry, review the following curriculum suggestions, professional resources, and virtual links to dental schools in Texas. 


Professional Resources

Texas Medical and Dental School Application Service
https://www.tmdsas.com/

American Dental Education Association - ADEA GoDental
https://www.adea.org/GoDental/About_ADEA_GoDental.aspx

American Dental Education Association / Associated American Dental Schools Application Service
https://www.adea.org/GoDental/The_application_to_dental_school__ADEA_AADSAS.aspx

Dental Schools in Texas

Texas A&M College of Dentistry
https://dentistry.tamhsc.edu

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry
https://dentistry.uth.edu

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
https://www.uthscsa.edu/academics/dental

Texas Tech University Woody L. Hunt School of Dentistry
 https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/sdm/admissions/default.aspx