The program is an intensive, 12-month curriculum with an emphasis on courses that will strengthen a student’s academic skills and knowledge of the dental health profession, such that they are well positioned for success in dental school.

Another focus of the program is to educate students about public health issues with an emphasis on dental health disparities. It accomplishes this goal by including service learning experiences and having the students take community and public health-oriented courses. These opportunities are designed to increase students’ awareness and understanding of the challenges and values of diverse and underserved populations

These opportunities are aligned with the increasing involvement of dental schools, including Marquette University School of Dentistry, in public health dentistry and rural outreach.

• Participate in an intensive pre-dental curriculum that includes graduate-level biomedical coursework and introduction to the dental field through the Marquette University School of Dentistry.
• Students will pursue coursework in the anatomical sciences (including human gross anatomy), biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology and molecular genetics, all taught from a clinical, human perspective.
• The program emphasizes public health and will include service learning experiences as well as community health-oriented courses.
• Personal pre-dental advising that focuses on student success, tutoring and peer mentoring by current Marquette University Dental students, assistance with the dental school application process, and interview techniques.
• Students who meet program standards will receive interviews with the Marquette University School of Dentistry with the potential opportunity for entry upon completion of the program without an additional “gap” year.