South Carolina (MUSC College of Dental Medicine)
Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine
Medical University of South Carolina
School Information
Mission Statement
The mission of the James B. Edwards 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.
Combined Degree Programs
- DMD/PhD
Known as the Dental Scientist Training Program (DSTP); an NIH-backed dual-degree pathway taking 7-8 years, combining dental education with advanced biomedical research training.
International Student Programs
Other Paths:
- Traditional DMD for International Applicants - MUSC accepts international applicants into the four-year predoctoral program, though admission is noted as extremely competitive and requires transcript evaluation (ECE or WES).
Degree Requirements
Coursework Requirements
| Subject | Credits (Sem) | Lab Required | Min Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| biology | 8 | Yes | C |
| general chem | 8 | Yes | C |
| organic chem | 8 | Yes | C |
| physics | 8 | Yes | C |
| english | 6 | No | C |
| math | 6 | No | C |
| other | 8 | Yes | C |
Credit Policies
Experience Requirements
Letters of Recommendation
Required Types:
- science professor
- dentist
- supervisor
Test Requirements
Application Logistics
Admissions Cycle
2024-2025
Mean Age
23
Class Size
78
GPA Statistics
Cumulative GPA
3.73
Science GPA
3.69
DAT Scores
Primary Scores
Academic Average
20.4
Total Science
19.9
PAT
20.3
Entering Class Percentile Ranges
Reported 5th, median, and 95th percentile values for the entering class. Missing points were not reported.
DAT Academic Average
Entering-class percentile
- 5th
- 18
- 50th
- 20.4
- 95th
- 23
Lower
Median
Upper
Cumulative GPA
Entering-class percentile
- 5th
- 3.19
- 50th
- —
- 95th
- 4.00
Lower
Median
Upper
Science GPA
Entering-class percentile
- 5th
- 3.09
- 50th
- —
- 95th
- 4.00
Lower
Median
Upper
Applicants & Enrollees
| Category | Applicants | Enrollees | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| overall | 1,764 | 78 | 4.4% |
| in state | 163 | 59 | 36.2% |
| out of_state | 1,568 | 18 | 1.1% |
| international | 33 | 1 | 3.0% |
Class Composition
Academic Year
2026-2027
Tuition & Fees (Program Total, In-State)
$210,062
Cost by Program Year
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Year | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | $39,313 | $79,096 | $15,599 |
| D2 | $33,172 | $77,468 | $14,424 |
| D3 | $39,313 | $79,096 | $14,464 |
| D4 | $39,313 | $79,096 | $14,464 |
| Total (4 Years) | $151,111 | $314,756 | $58,951 |
Research Opportunities
Research Themes:
Clinical Experiences
The curriculum features a progressive emphasis on digital workflows, including CAD/CAM instruction beginning in the first year (D1) and a dedicated Innovation Lab for full digital restorations.
Clinical Rotations:
- Fourth-Year Community Rotations - D4 students complete two weeks of community-based care rotations at various sites across South Carolina, such as Greenville and Myrtle Beach.
- Digital Dentistry Clinic - Features a 2:1 student-faculty ratio in a CAD/CAM-equipped clinic for single-visit ceramic restorations.
Postdoctoral Programs
- Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD)
- Digital Dentistry Residency (MSD)
- Endodontics (MSD)
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Orthodontics (MSD)
- Pediatric Dentistry (MSD)
- Periodontics (MSD)
- General Practice Residency (GPR)
Graduate Programs
- Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD)
- Master of Science in Oral Sciences
- PhD in Biomedical Sciences
- Community Dental Health Coordinator Certificate