Virginia (VCU SOD)
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry
Virginia Commonwealth University
School Information
Mission Statement
Educating tomorrow's oral health leaders in a community of service by utilizing emerging technologies and innovative research to provide comprehensive oral health care for all.
Combined Degree Programs
- DDS/PhD in Oral Health Research
Designed for students interested in translating oral research to the clinic; involves two years of preclinical dental school, several years of PhD research, and a return to clinical years.
International Student Programs
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 |
| biochem | 3 | No | C |
| math | 3 | No | C |
| english | 3 | No | C |
Credit Policies
Experience Requirements
Letters of Recommendation
Required Types:
- science professor (2)
- dentist (1)
Test Requirements
Application Logistics
Admissions Cycle
2024-2025
Mean Age
23
Class Size
95
GPA Statistics
Cumulative GPA
3.76
Science GPA
3.72
DAT Scores
Primary Scores
Academic Average
21.8
Total Science
21.5
PAT
20.7
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
- —
- 95th
- 26
Lower
Median
Upper
Cumulative GPA
Entering-class percentile
- 5th
- 3.25
- 50th
- —
- 95th
- 4.00
Lower
Median
Upper
Science GPA
Entering-class percentile
- 5th
- 3.21
- 50th
- —
- 95th
- 4.00
Lower
Median
Upper
Applicants & Enrollees
| Category | Applicants | Enrollees | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| overall | 2,171 | 95 | 4.4% |
| in state | 283 | 58 | 20.5% |
| out of_state | 1,709 | 29 | 1.7% |
| international | 179 | 8 | 4.5% |
Class Composition
Out-of-State Enrollee Origins
Home states represented by enrolled students from outside the school's local state.
28 students reported
Academic Year
2025-2026
Tuition & Fees (Program Total, In-State)
$274,729
Cost by Program Year
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Year | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | $52,811 | $90,543 | $18,423 |
| D2 | $52,811 | $90,543 | $16,243 |
| D3 | $52,811 | $90,543 | $14,963 |
| D4 | $51,704 | $89,091 | $14,963 |
| Total (4 Years) | $210,137 | $360,720 | $64,592 |
Research Opportunities
Research Themes:
Clinical Experiences
A 4-year competency-based curriculum that integrates biomedical, clinical, and behavioral sciences, with clinical rotations beginning extensively in the third year.
Clinical Rotations:
- Specialty Clinical Rotations - Includes Radiology, Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, and Orofacial Pain.
- Clinical Service-Learning - Senior students rotate through 14 external sites across Virginia, including safety-net clinics and the Virginia Home for residents with disabilities.
- Hospital-Based Care - Clinical experiences provided through partnerships with VCU Hospital and the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center.
Postdoctoral Programs
- Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD)
- Endodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Orthodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- General Practice Residency (GPR)
Graduate Programs
- PhD in Oral Health Research
- Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology
- Master of Science in Dentistry (M.S.D.)