COOPERATIVE DEGREE PROGRAM WITH LAKE ERIE COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE (LECOM)

Faculty:

• Steven G. Bassett, Ph.D.
• Jessica Brzyski, Ph.D.
• Kristen Butela, Ph.D.
• John Cramer, Ph.D.
• Demetra Czegan, Ph.D.
• Bernadette Fondy, Ph.D.
• Jamie Fornsaglio, Ph.D.
• Diana Hoover, Ph.D.
• Bobbie Leeper, Ph.D.
• Diane Miller, Ph.D.
• Jonathan Moerdyk, Ph.D.
• Suzanne Rogers, Ph.D.
• Susan Yochum, S.C., Ph.D.

The dental medicine cooperative degree program at Seton Hill University with LECOM offers a combined undergraduate and graduate program leading to two degrees: the Bachelor of Science in biology or biochemistry and the Doctor of Dental Medicine. The 4 + 4 program (Phase I: four years of study at the undergraduate level at Seton Hill. Phase II: four years of graduate dental school instruction with LECOM at its associated clinical training sites) allows the student to receive the Bachelor of Science degree upon completion of the degree requirements at Seton Hill. The Doctor of Dental Medicine degree is awarded after the successful completion of four years of study with LECOM and all requirements for the degree.

Admission criteria for the BS/DMD degrees

Phase I prospective students must:

1. Be accepted at Seton Hill University as full-time students,
2. Have a combined minimum SAT score (Critical Reading + Math) of 1170 if taken prior to March 2016; 1240 if taken March 2016 or later, or ACT Composite score of 26 or better,
3. Have a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale,
4. Complete EAP application with LECOM, and
5. Agree not to apply to another dental school’s program while enrolled in the LECOM program.

To be eligible for Phase II students must:

1. Maintain full-time status throughout participation in Phase I,
2. Be enrolled in Phase I no later than beginning of third year of study at SHU,
3. Be United States citizens or permanent U.S. residents,
4. For the minimum requirements (6 credits of English, 8 credits of biology with two labs, 8 credits of inorganic/general chemistry with two labs, 8 credits of organic chemistry with two labs, and 3 credits of biochemistry): no CLEP or IB credits will be accepted; no grade lower than “C” will be accepted; Pass/Fail will not be accepted; AP credits may be used to satisfy the requirements for English if a score of 4 or 5 was achieved.
5. Complete a higher level substitute course in the same discipline, in the event that Seton Hill accepts AP credits for science or mathematics.
6. Complete all degree requirements for the Seton Hill degree,
7. Display scholarly and professional potential to practice dental medicine and express the desire to become a dentist,
8. Not apply to another dental school’s accelerated program unless rejected by LECOM,
9. Have earned a cumulative SHU grade point average of 3.0 or better,
10. Have earned a cumulative SHU grade point average of 3.0 or better in science coursework,
11. Have an DAT score meeting LECOM requirements (typically >19),
12. Student also should have “shadowed” in a clinical dental setting, and
13. Student must have a background check as described by LECOM and must meet LECOM’s Health and Technical Standards.

To gain final acceptance, students must:

1. Meet all requirements listed above,
2. Apply to LECOM through the Associated American Dental School Application Service (AADAS) by November 15 of the year prior to the year of matriculation at LECOM and submit the on-line LECOM secondary application by January 1 of the year prior to anticipated matriculation at LECOM,
3. Arrange for letters of recommendation and supporting documentation, including official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions and DAT scores (taken within three years preceding matriculation) to be submitted to LECOM.

All candidates for the cooperative degree program’s Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees must complete the Liberal Arts Curriculum, the capstone assessment, and all required graduate and undergraduate courses for the major, earning a minimum 120 credits at SHU. The capstone assessment for the biochemistry degree includes successful completion of a comprehensive examination, an oral presentation of the showcase portfolio including a reflection paper that addresses how the student has developed as a chemist, and a discussion of the integration of the University and chemistry learning objectives. Students must contact Seton Hill-LECOM academic advisor for details.