Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, MS Program

The Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences (DOCS) Master of Science Program requires two years to complete, but no more than four years. Early completion may be considered for students with exceptional progress in their thesis that have completed their coursework. The MS Program is distinct from the PhD Program. MS students may apply to be accepted for the PhD Program once they are accepted into the MS Program. If the student is accepted into the PhD Program at a later date, courses taken toward their master’s degree will satisfy doctoral degree credit and residency requirements.

Students may earn Master of Science (MS) degree in Oral and Craniofacial Science within one of two research concentrations:

• Craniofacial and Dental Genetics
• Craniofacial Tissue Regeneration

The program is open to post-baccalaureate students, pre-doctoral (First Professional) DMD students, and dental residents. School of Dental Medicine pre-doctoral students and residents may apply for a dual degree option with the PhD or MS Graduate Programs in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences. 

Admissions will only be considered for the fall term each year. However, early applications are encouraged, and offers may be extended to suitably qualified candidates before the application deadline.

Students will experience to both concentrations in the program curriculum, which includes three courses with DMD students, and work with faculty in the Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences on research in one of these concentrations.

Requirements for the MS Degree

• A total of 31 credits: 25 didactic in the MS core curriculum and 6 in research
• Successful completion of MS core curriculum with a grade of B (3.0 GPA) or better in each course
• A one-year research project leading to an master’s thesis
• A master’s thesis
• Defense of the master’s thesis before a thesis committee research

Learn more about the Oral and Craniofacial Sciences Degree Programs at dental.pitt.edu/ocs-program