DMD PhD Program

DMD/PhD Program

The UAB School of Dentistry DMD/PhD program prepares students for an exciting career in dental academics through an innovative integrated clinician scientist training program. Students in the program are allowed to apply credits earned in both dental and graduate school towards a specialized program earning both a DMD degree and a PhD degree in a biomedical science.

Applicants interested in the DMD/PhD program must have completed an undergraduate degree program (BA or BS) that fulfills all requirements for both dental school and graduate school admissions. Students need to directly contact Dr. Steve Filler, Director of Admissions, UAB-School of Dentistry at 205.934.3387 or by email at . Separate applications are submitted to the UAB School of Dentistry and the UAB Graduate School (1530 3^rd Avenue South, HUC 511, Birmingham, AL 35294-1150).  UAB School of Dentistry participates in the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS).  Students should initiate AADSAS applications as early as possible. Applications received by AADSAS after December 15 can cause a delay in the admission process.

All Alabama applicants and those out-of-state residents, whose AADSAS applications indicate they can be given serious consideration, will be requested to file a supplemental DMD/PhD application.  This form requests additional information that is not part of the AADSAS material and includes a photograph, a one page assay on the interest of the candidate in a dental academic research career, a pre-dental advisory committee evaluation if available, and three letters of recommendation from professors related to the applicant's interest in research or major field of study. A non-refundable $50 fee is required to file this supplemental application. This supplemental application, along with all transcripts, letters of recommendation and other specified documents, should be received by the School of Dentistry Admissions Office no later than January 15 of the year for which admission is sought.

Applicants whose credentials indicate they may qualify for admission will be invited for a personal interview with the Admissions Committee. Candidates will be evaluated based on their academic record, DAT scores, research accomplishments, commitment to a research career, character, and personality traits indicating potential for success in a DMD/PhD program. An acceptable interview makes the student eligible for participation in the program and for admission to the School of Dentistry DMD/PhD program.

To be accepted into the program, applicants must:

1) Contact Dr. Steve Filler at UAB School of Dentistry indicating intent to apply for the DMD/PhD program.

2) Submit a formal application to the UAB School of Dentistry through AADSAS.

3) Submit a formal application to the UAB Graduate School though one of the integrated programs (Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB), Integrative Biomedical Sciences (lBS), or an individual participating department e.g., Microbiology, Pathology, etc.)

4) Have successfully taken the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT).

5) Have completed all the recommended courses for both dental and graduate school admissions.

Sequence of the DMD/PhD Program:

1) Completion of at least two years of graduate school coursework and requirements including graduate school qualification examinations and dissertation proposal defense maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0

2) Receive a positive recommendation for transition into the dental school's curriculum by the DMD/PhD Advisory Committee

Important Points:

1) Generally it is anticipated that the DMD and PhD degrees will be awarded within the same year upon completion of all dental and graduate school requirements

2) Duration of the program is expected to be 7.0 years; however students with strong prior research experience have completed the program in 6 years.

3) If a student is accepted into the DMD/PhD program and chooses not to complete the PhD training program, they will be required to re-apply to the School of Dentistry for admission as a traditional DMD candidate.

Financial Support Opportunities:

Students enrolled in the DMD/PhD training program are eligible for funding through an individual NIDCR supported F-30 Training Award.  Detailed information about the F-30 grant application is available at  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-119.html  The F30 grant program provides an annual student stipend of $25,000 per year (as of July 2008), a percentage of total tuition costs (60% of the allowable costs), health and dental insurance, and scientific meeting travel funds ($800).

DMD/PhD Career Opportunities:

Upon completion of the DMD/PhD program students may be qualified for additional post-doctoral training related to their research interests as well as a dental specialty program. Successful completion of the DMD/PhD program and post-graduate training could make the student a viable candidate for a faculty position in academic dentistry. The National Institute of Craniofacial and Dental Research (NIDCR) sponsors a number of institutional or individual grant award programs to provide funding for these types of additional training. Information about these programs can be found on the NIDCR webpage at http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/Funding/FundingMechanisms/default.htm.