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

Faculty:

• Jessica Brzyski, Ph.D.
• Amalene Cooper-Morgan, Ph.D.
• John Cramer, Ph.D.
• Demetra Czegan, Ph.D.
• Jamie Fornsaglio, Ph.D.
• Diana Hoover, Ph.D.
• Bobbie Leeper, Ph.D.
• Diane Miller, Ph.D.
• Jonathan Moerdyk, Ph.D. 
• Ja’Nean Reay Ph.D.
• Renee Rosier, 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:

• Be accepted at Seton Hill University as a full-time student;
• Have a minimum SAT score (critical reading + math) greater than or equal to 1170 on a single exam taken before March 1, 2016; SAT score of 1240 if taken after March 1, 2016 or later; or ACT Composite score of 26 or better;
• Have an unweighted high school GPA of 3.5 or better;
• Fill out an application through the EAP inquiry link on the LECOM website;
• Complete an interview;
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; and
• Agree not to apply to another medical school’s program while enrolled in the cooperative degree program with LECOM.

 Transfer Students applying to the combined Seton Hill/LECOM program must:

• Be accepted to Seton Hill University as a full-time student;
• Have a cumulative overall GPA of 3.4 or higher;
• Major only in the 4+4 program;
• Have at least two years remaining as a full-time student at the undergraduate institution
• Not hold a bachelor’s degree or higher; and
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

 

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. 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; AP credits will not be accepted for the required science courses.
4. Complete a replacement course applicable to the field of dental medicine or a course of similar academic rigor in the event that Seton Hill accepts AP credits for science,
5. Complete all degree requirements for the Seton Hill degree,
6. Display scholarly and professional potential to practice dental medicine and express the desire to become a dentist,
7. Not apply to another dental school’s accelerated program unless rejected by LECOM,
8. Have earned a cumulative SHU grade point average of 3.4 or better,
9. Have earned a cumulative SHU grade point average of 3.2 or better in science coursework,
10. Have a DAT score meeting LECOM requirements (typically >19),
11. The student also should have “shadowed” in a clinical dental setting, and
12. The 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 the 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 biology degree includes successful completion of a comprehensive examination. 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.