Periodontics Master's Program

Enrollment

2 residents per year; 6 residents total

Program duration

36 months; the periodontics program requires three full years of direct patient care. 

Tuition and fees

• Graduate/Professional cost of attendance

Accredited credit hours:

Residents must complete a minimum of 50 credit hours of course work, including 12 credit hours of clinical practice and six credit hours of thesis work.

The remaining credits will be from courses assigned by the course director which are specific to Periodontology.

• Satisfactory completion of the didactic and clinical components of the program results in specialty certification through the Marquette University Graduate School.
• Satisfactory completion of the research component of the program results in a master’s degree through the Marquette University Graduate School. 

Eligibility to Board and Accreditation

Eligibility to the American Board of Periodontology: Yes

Commission on Dental Accreditation status: Approval without reporting requirements

Admission options

Master of science degree applicants may only be admitted to the program under Plan A, which has two options:

1. Traditional thesis option 

• Graduate students who choose the thesis option will have their research and thesis preparation supervised by a primary adviser and approved by a thesis advisory committee that consists of at least three members.

2. Publication option

• The publication option, in addition, culminates in the acceptance of a first author, original, peer-reviewed publication based on a research project. Selection of the publication option requires completion of a traditional thesis in the event the submitted manuscript is not accepted by the submission deadline listed in this bulletin. All graduate students are required to present their research formally.

In partial fulfillment of the requirements to obtain the master of science degree, all candidates must complete the appropriate sections of the graduate core curriculum with a grade of B- or above, conduct a research project on an appropriate clinical or basic science topic, and successfully defend their research project. Format and content of the public defense is determined by the advisory committee.

Candidates are encouraged to pursue research that originates in their chosen dental specialty. Research projects are selected in consultation with the graduate program director. Where possible, graduate students in advanced dental specialty programs are encouraged to do clinically relevant research.

For a more detailed review of the program, including coursework details, please visit the Graduate School Bulletin

Be well-prepared

Learn and practice in a patient-centered environment that resembles the real world of dentistry. 

Be hands-on

Attend fewer traditional lectures because more of your time will be spent working with patients — beginning your first year.

Be aware

Gain an understanding of the link between oral and physical health to better serve your patients.

Be of service

Participate in university outreach programs at urban, rural and specialty care clinics, getting firsthand experience in public health.

Be mentored

Form professional relationships with practicing dentists throughout Wisconsin through our formal mentorship program offered to all students.

BE THE DIFFERENCE

School of Dentistry Research Themes

• Clinical Oral Healthcare and Outcomes Research
  The Marquette University School of Dentistry recognizes that evidence-based dentistry resulting from high quality clinical oral health care outcomes research informs dental clinical decision-making.  The continuous process of evidence-based dentistry driven by clinical outcomes research is our clinical research focus, and this unites our evidence-based clinical teaching.
• Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
  It is estimated that 50-75% of a dentist’s time is spent with the biomaterials that they use for patient care. Biomaterials Research at the Marquette University School of Dentistry has focused on Characterization of Material Properties, Fabrication of new biomaterials, Characterization of the Host Response to Biomaterials (Biocompatibility), and improving adhesion to tooth structure by modification of adhesive resins. Many of our clinical graduate programs also perform research on dental biomaterials used in endodontics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, and periodontics. The Dental School has Tissue Engineering research expertise which seeks to repair hard and soft tissue deficits using biomaterial scaffolds combined with cells or therapeutic agents.  As part of this research theme, the Dental School also has expertise in regenerative dental medicine and dental medical devices.
• Dental Public Health, Epidemiology, and Access to Care (Healthcare Disparities)
  A longstanding research focus of the Marquette University Dental School has been in the areas of Dental Public Health and Access to Care (Health Disparities and Health Services Research). Our faculty have research expertise in epidemiology of oral diseases and dental health care services research.  This research theme also includes expertise in Evidence-Based Dental Outcomes Research, Oral Health Prevention and Health Promotion, as well as Biostatistics and data science in dentistry and public health. This research focus/ theme is consistent with Marquette University’s mission of service to others.