Master of Science in Dentistry (M.S.D.)

Advance your career with a Master of Science in Dentistry degree

If you hold a doctorate in dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.) and are ready to take the next step on your career path, the Indiana University School of Dentistry’s Master of Science in Dentistry (M.S.D.) degree program is for you. Choose from among seven majors that will prepare you for clinical practice or teaching.

The M.S.D. program is a combined degree and certificate program; the school does not offer the option to earn only a clinical certificate.

Contact us

Program director: Dr. Richard Gregory

Office of Graduate Education
1121 W. Michigan Street, Room 280B
Indianapolis, IN 46202

Phone: 317-274-5348
Fax: 317-274-7188
Email: dsgrad@iu.edu

Majors

Cariology and operative dentistry

Minor concentration: dental materials

Dental materials

Minor concentration: operative dentistry

Endodontics

Minor concentration: oral pathology

Orthodontics

Minor concentration: life sciences

Pediatric dentistry

Minor concentration: psychology or public health

Periodontology

Minor concentration: oral pathology

Prosthodontics

Minor concentration: dental materials

Admission requirements

To be eligible to apply for the M.S.D. program, you must:

Hold a D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree from an accredited U.S. or Canadian dental school or be a graduate of an international dental school with equivalent educational background and standing
Have a cumulative dental school GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If English is not your native language, you must earn a minimum score of 79 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT or 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Individual majors may have additional admission requirements. You can find detailed admission requirements for each major on its specific page.

Application process

The application process for the M.S.D. program varies by major.

If you plan to major in cariology and operative dentistry or dental materials, you will use the IU CAS Application.
If you plan to major in endodontics, you will use the American Dental Education Association Postdoctoral Application Support Service (ADEA PASS).
If you plan to major in orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontology, or prosthodontics, you will use the American Dental Education Association Postdoctoral Application Support Service (ADEA PASS) and the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (the Match).

Applicants in all majors must submit certain supplementary materials directly to the School of Dentistry.

Learn how to apply

Application deadlines

Cariology and operative dentistry: September 1
Dental materials: November 1
Endodontics: August 1
Orthodontics: August 1
Pediatric dentistry: October 1
Periodontology: August 1
Prosthodontics: October 1

Costs and financial aid

M.S.D. students pay an annual flat rate for tuition. The rate varies based on your residency classification (whether you’re considered an in-state or out-of-state student). Other costs include university fees and instrument rental or purchase.

Federal student loans are available to qualified students. A limited number of small scholarships are awarded by academic departments.

Learn more about costs and financial aid