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Pre-Dental

Pre-Dental is not a major, but rather a compilation of courses and experiences to prepare students for their next steps. Professional schools evaluate achievement in required prerequisites, regardless of major. We recommend students choose a major they enjoy and in which they can excel.

Students are encouraged to contact us to receive assistance in planning when to take these prerequisite courses, and those who are declared as being in the Pre-Dental program are required to meet with their Medical Professions Advisor each semester in order to remain in the program. Students will receive academic advisement for their chosen degree program with their assigned academic advisor for their major.

A competitive GPA is essential when considering a career in the medical professions. Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA to remain in the Pre-Dental Program. Our experience is that students with a GPA below 3.0 are, unfortunately, not competitive.

The courses listed below are generally required for dental schools in our region, in addition to the courses necessary for Dental Admission Test (DAT) preparation. We encourage students to seek out and familiarize themselves with the prerequisite and admission test requirements of their intended dental school(s), as requirements may vary.

Chemistry Courses

CHEM 1211K: Principles of Chemistry I/Lab (4 credit hours)
CHEM 1212K: Principles of Chemistry II/Lab (4)
CHEM 3401: Organic Chemistry I/Lab (4)
CHEM 3402: Organic Chemistry II/Lab (4)
BCHM 5201: Biochemistry I/Lab (4), or BCHM 3200: Principles of Biochemistry (3)

Biology Courses

BIOL 1107/1107L: Principles of Biology I/Lab (4)
BIOL 1108/1108L: Principles of Biology II/Lab (4)

Mathematics and Physics Courses

MATH 1112 or 1113: Trigonometry or Pre-Calculus Mathematics (if needed, based on freshman math placement) (3)
MATH 1441: Calculus I (4)
STAT 2231: Introduction to Statistics I (3)
PHYS 1111K: Introductory Physics I/Lab (4), or PHYS 2211K: Principles of Physics I/Lab (4)

Additional courses to consider

BIOL 3134: Cell and Molecular Biology (3)
BIOL 3131: Principles of Physiology (3)
BIOL 4130: Genetics (3)
BIOL 5248: Immunology (4)
BIOL 4240: Biology of Microorganisms (4)
BIOL 5131: Cell Biology (3)
BIOL 5132: Molecular Genetics (3)
BIOL 5240: Histology (4)
KINS 2531/2511 (Statesboro campus) or BIOL 2018/L (Armstrong): Human Anatomy & Physiology I/Lab (4)
PSYC 1101: Introduction to Psychology (3)

Visit us on the web at georgiasouthern.edu/prehealth. Familiarize yourself with the Georgia Southern University Medical/Dental Review Board requirements.

Make it official. Add your Pre-Professional Program by filling out the Office of Pre-Professional Advisement Interest Form on our home page. This step will ensure that you receive up-to-date information from Medical Professions Advising staff regarding events, programming, and advising.

Study + Excel. A competitive GPA is essential when considering a career in the health field. You must have a minimum of a 3.0 to remain in the Pre-Dental Program at Georgia Southern University. Talk with your Academic Advisor, professors and Academic Success Center for help with study skills through various workshops and tutoring.

Resume + Interviews. Create and/or improve your resume at the Office of Career and Professional Development. You can also gain confidence and develop your interview skills with a video-taped mock interview.

Job Shadow. We recommend that you gain experience by shadowing with a general practice dentist and specialists of your choosing. Document your experiences in a physical or digital format, and obtain at least one letter of reference from a dentist you have shadowed.

Volunteer + Lead. We recommend that you participate in volunteer activities that benefit others. Contact the Office of Leadership and Community Engagement for more information about volunteering with local weekly trips, Alternative Break Trips, and more. We also recommend that you participate in leadership seminars, workshops, retreats and LEAD courses. Get involved and join a student club or organization, such as the Pre-Dental Society or Tri-Beta (biological honors society).

Connect + Explore. Get to know your professors and local health care professionals. These individuals are valuable resources for research experience, volunteering, shadowing and letters of recommendation. Consider Study Abroad programs through the Office of International Programs and Services. Attend information sessions, workshops, field trips, and other events for pre-dental students offered by the Office of Medical Professions Advising.

Research. Talk with your professors and peers who are involved with undergraduate research and consider opportunities within the College of Science and Mathematics.

Prepare for the Dental Admission Test (DAT). This test requires substantial amounts of preparation and study time, so it is never too early to begin. Typically, students prepare to take the DAT in the spring of their junior year, so it is important that necessary coursework be completed by this time.

Degree: DDS or DMD. Dentists are doctors who specialize in oral health. They oversee a clinical team and diagnose disease, promote oral health, perform surgical procedures and manage oral emergencies. Dentists may continue their education after dental school to become orthodontists, endodontists and many other specialty fields within dentistry.

Entrance Exam: Dental Admission Test (DAT)

Timeline to Apply: Freshman through Senior Year

Dental Programs in US: American Student Dental Association (ASDA) and ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools

There is one dental school in Georgia. Specific admissions requirements are available on the school’s website:

Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University.

Last updated: 5/31/2022