General Policies

Students in postgraduate programs offered by the UTHSC College of Dentistry are expected to perform at a level consistent with graduate education. Students are expected to receive grades of "A" or "B" in every course in which they are enrolled. A student who receives a minimally satisfactory grade (i.e., "C") may be required to remedy deficits in knowledge. If a student receives a "C" grade the program director will determine whether the performance is acceptable and, if not, will determine the remedy in consultation with the course director, the department chair, and the Associate Dean of Postgraduate Affairs. The remedial plan may involve repeating the course or successfully completing work deemed appropriate to the deficit. A student who receives an unsatisfactory or failing grade (i.e., "D" or "F") in any course work is placed on academic probation. This probationary standing must be removed within one year in order for the student to continue studies in the postgraduate dental education program. Failure to do so will result in separation from the University of Tennessee. 

A student who accumulates an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) below 3.00 is placed on academic probation. Probationary standing must be removed within one semester in order for the student to continue studies in the postgraduate dental education program. Failure to do so will result in separation from the University of Tennessee. In calculating GPA, all courses shall be considered, including failed and repeated courses. A final GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation. 

 

A cooperative effort of students, faculty and staff has resulted in the development of an Honor Code that is applicable to all students enrolled at UTHSC. The Honor Code was promulgated in order that student academic affairs will be conducted under the highest standards of individual responsibility, thereby promoting personal honor and integrity in the best traditions of the health science professions. Major responsibility for protection of the educational process is assumed by UTHSC students, who are directly responsible for the effective operation of the Honor Code through their college or school honor council. Students will receive a copy of the Honor Code from the Dean of Postgraduate Affairs of the College of Dentistry at the time of enrollment, and will be required to sign the pledge contained therein before formal matriculation is acknowledged. It is thereby necessary that each student has knowledge and understanding of the Honor Code and will strictly adhere to its terms while a student.

Students enrolled in postgraduate dental programs are not required to be licensed to practice dentistry while in school; licensure, however, is desirable.

Students enrolled in postgraduate dental programs are paid teaching assistants. As a result, students in postgraduate dental programs are employees of UTHSC and are therefore covered by the state administered professional liability plan. A student enrolled in a postgraduate dental education program is not required to obtain personal professional liability insurance to cover them while performing supervised patient care under the auspices of the university.

For the programs in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontology and Prosthodontics, all requirements must be completed within a total period of five (5) consecutive calendar years after matriculation as a student, including periods of withdrawal from the program. A student who fails to complete the requirements within the five-year period must be formally readmitted as a full-time, full-standing student in order to continue studies toward the certificate or degree. The readmitted student is then subject to the current terms of admission, time limitations, and any revised requirements for the awarding of the certificate or degree. No consideration should be assumed on the part of the student with regard to credit for previous work.

Students enrolled in the Master of Dental Science Program in Orthodontics, Periodontology, Prosthodontics, and the three-year Pediatric Dentistry programs, receive a waiver of tuition from the College of Graduate Health Sciences (CGHS) in exchange for creditable services in teaching and research to their respective Departments. Students enrolled in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the two-year Pediatric Dentistry certificate programs do not pay tuition or fees, except for selected courses.

If a student finds it necessary to withdraw prior to completion of their postgraduate program of study, a formal withdrawal is prerequisite to future consideration for re-entry into the institution. A student intending to withdraw from a postgraduate program in the College of Dentistry should notify the chairperson in their department or their program director in writing of his/her intentions.

Students who have withdrawn from a postgraduate dental education program are not permitted to utilize the teaching or research resources of the University.

Former students will be considered for re-entry if they have withdrawn properly and if they submit a written request to the Dean of the College of Dentistry. The Graduate Committee will consider applications for re-entry. In addition to the applicant's prior record, circumstances of withdrawal and reasons for requesting re-entry, consideration will be given to the impact upon the program in terms of space, facilities, class size, stipend availability, and other factors which might preclude or modify the conditions of re-entry. If re-entry is granted and the student has been absent from the program for no longer than one year, the student will be returned to the program without loss of standing. However, if the readmitted student has been absent from the program for more than one year and is granted re-entry, some repetition of course work may be required as determined by the program director, chairperson, and Associate Dean of Postgraduate Affairs.