Location: Charleston, SC
Institution Type: Public
Campus Setting: Urban
Dental Doctoral Degree: Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D)
Mission Statement: “The mission of the College of Dental Medicine is to develop transformative leaders and oral health providers to improve wellness. Our commitment to education, research and patient care will be driven by a collaborative and entrepreneurial approach that will result in global impact on the profession.”

Year Opened: 1967
Number of Months to Earn Degree: 48
Campus Housing Available: No
Class Size: 78
Term Type: Semester

Combined degrees offered:

B.A./B.S.

M.B.A.

M.P.H.

M.S.

Ph.D.

Other Degrees

International Dental Graduate Programs:

Traditional Predoctoral Program for IDGs

Advanced Standing Program for IDGs

Yes

Admissions Statistics: (2024 Applicant and Entering Class Data)

Mean Age of First-Time, First-Year Enrollees: 23

Acceptance Rates by Location:

Number of Applicants

Number of Enrollees

Enrollment Rate

Overall

1,764

4.42%

In-State

163

36.20%

Out-State

1,568

1.15%

International

3.03%

Class Breakdown by Residency:

Number of Enrollees

Percentage of Incoming Class

In-State

75.64%

Out-State

23.08%

International

1.28%

Academic Averages for Acceptance:

DAT Academic Average

DAT Natural Science

DAT Perceptual Ability

Cumulative GPA

Science GPA

20.4

19.9

20.3

3.73

3.69

Range of Academic Averages for Acceptance:

5th Percentile of Enrollees

95th Percentile of Enrollees

DAT Academic Average

Cumulative GPA

3.19

4.00

Science GPA

3.09

4.00

Prerequisites

Preferred

Strongly Preferred

Required

Baccalaureate is:

Required Coursework:

Required Course

Credits (Semesters/Quarters)

Required Lab

Biology

8/12

General Chemistry

8/12

Organic Chemistry

8/12

Physics

8/12

Science Electives (e.g. Microbiology, Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Genetics, etc)

8/12

English

6/8

Mathematics

6/8

Recommended courses include: Anatomy, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Histology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology/Genetics, Physiology, and Zoology

Community College Coursework and Advanced Placement Credit:

Prerequisites

Electives

AP Credit Accepted

Yes

Community College Coursework Accepted

Yes

Maximum number of Community College Credit Hours:

Required Shadowing Hours:

O Hours Required
100+ Hours Recommended to be competitive

Letters of Recommendation:

Option 1: Three letters of recommendation from individuals of the applicant’s choice
Option 2: One committee letter

Dental Admissions Test Requirements:

Mandatory DAT

Canadian DAT Accepted?

Applicants Evaluated Before Official DAT Submission?

DAT Score Considered

Yes

Only highest score

Supplemental Information:

Mandatory Casper

Participation in ADEA AADSAS

Required Supplemental Application

Supplemental Application Fee

Yes

Yes: $95 for all applicants

Interview Format

Interviews are conducted virtually. The day begins with a welcome session, an overview of MUSC’s campus, and an explanation of the day’s events. Applicants then have two 30-minute interviews with faculty members. There is also a virtual tour of the Charleston area and an opportunity to ask questions of current students.

Finances and Application Logistics

Financial Estimations for students starting Fall 2025:

Year

In-State Tuition

Out-State Tuition

Additional Fees

Estimated Living Expenses

$47,415

$83,290

$30,450

$27,720

$34,300

$60,000

$26,354

$22,176

$47,415

$83,290

$26,889

$30,492

$47,415

$83,290

$26,889

$30,492

University Offerings

1. Academic Offerings

College of Graduate Studies Summer Health Professionals Program introduces students to biomedical research under a mentor
Research focuses include:
- Molecular and cellular biology of periodontal inflammation and disease progression
- Head and neck cancer biology and therapeutics with a focus on RNA silencing
- Bioengineering/Biomechanics of temporomandibular joint and craniofacial regeneration with an emphasis on dentin regeneration
- and more
- Students may pursue a D.M.D./PhD in Oral Health

2. Clinical Experiences

Clinical Curriculum Overview
- D1-D2: Basic science and preclinical courses
- D3: Clinical courses and patient treatment
- D4: Patient treatment and extramural rotations. Elective courses in specialty topics and practice administration.
Postdoctoral and Residency Programs
- Residency Programs:
  - Advanced Education in General Dentistry
  - Digital Dentistry (MSD)
  - Endodontics (MSD)
  - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  - Orthodontics (MSD)
  - Pediatric Dentistry
  - Periodontics (MSD)
- Fellowship Programs:
  - Fellowship in Digital Dentistry

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