International Advanced Standing (DMD) Program

Return to: Academic Programs

The International Advanced Standing Program (IASP) at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine is designed to permit qualified, international dentists who graduated from programs not accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) to earn a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from Pitt Dental Medicine.

The IASP is a minimum of two academic years in length. It is individualized for each admitted student and may require additional time to complete. The program begins in May of each year with intensive, one-term didactic and preclinical courses. Following successful completion of this provisional segment, IASP students enter the predoctoral program.

Requirements to Apply to Program

English Language Proficiency

• Must be proficient in the English language.
• Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (IB and Home based).
• Successful completion of the TOEFL with a score of 100 or above is preferred. 
• TOEFL results must be dated after Dec. 31, 2021 and sent directly to ADEA CAAPID®.

National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) (INDBE)Requirements

• Program requires passage of NBDE Parts I and II or INDBE to be considered for admission.
• Official NBDE both parts or INDBE results must be entered on the ADEA CAAPID application under the “Academic History” > “Standardized Tests” section.

Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT)

• Completion of the ADAT is preferred, but not required for admission to the program.

Letters of Evaluation

• Three Letters of Evaluation are required*:
• Two letters of evaluation must be from either a dean, associate dean, department chair or faculty member of the dental school from which applicant graduated.
• One letter must be from a shadowing experience, preferably within the United States.
• These letters must be directly uploaded by the letter writers to ADEA CAAPID. When you fill out your CAAPID application you will provide the names of your evaluators and their contact information. CAAPID will then contact them via email with instructions on how to submit a letter. The email will include a link to an online portal where they will upload their letters.
• Up to three additional letters may be uploaded by the applicant to the “Documents Section” of their CAAPID application.

*These three letters are non-negotiable.

Transcripts and Evaluations

• All foreign dental school transcripts must be evaluated and uploaded by transcript evaluators; either the ECE or WES evaluation will be accepted.
• Licenses/certifications should be uploaded to ADEA CAAPID in the “Supporting Information” > “Licenses” section.

Application Fees

• In addition to the CAAPID application fee, a university application fee of $75 is required upon submission of your application.
• University application fee can be paid online.

Additional Requirements

• Qualified applicants will be invited for a virtual interview and an in-person bench test.
• If invited for interview, applicants will be asked to submit:
• An electronic copy of a passport page of any valid visa status or proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (any status is acceptable) and
• An electronic 2” x 2” cell phone “headshot” photo. Photo must be in .jpeg or .png format.
• A bench test fee will be required from those applicants invited to interview.
• Additionally,  accepted applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable tuition deposit at time of acceptance to be applied to the fall term and a non-refundable fee prior to the provisional summer program that begins in early May.
• Again, all fees described herein are non-refundable.

Learn more about the International Advanced Standing Program at dental.pitt.edu/education/international-advanced-standing-program