Starting this fall, Community College of Denver (CCD) will offer its first Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree. This completion program in dental hygiene fills the gap in educational opportunities for dental hygienists in the state of Colorado.

There have been no other options for dental hygienists to pursue a BAS in the state since 2009 when the University of Colorado School of Dentistry closed their dental hygiene program.

The new program, which complements CCD’s current Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in dental hygiene, will be conducted entirely online with the exception of an internship at a public/community health facility that is local to the student. Classes will also be offered in eight-week sessions instead of the traditional 15-16 weeks.

"There are numerous possibilities of career pathways available for dental hygienists who have obtained additional education in the fields of public health, education, industry and research,” said Mary Catherine Dean, Coordinator of CCD’s BAS program. “A special emphasis of this program will be public health. Students will also work on leadership skills, administration, evaluation, research development and interpretation and communication.”

Applicants must be currently licensed to practice dental hygiene in the U.S., be a graduate of an accredited dental hygiene program, have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the dental hygiene, and meet CCD’s admissions criteria.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed Senate Bill 14-004 in 2014, allowing the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) to offer BAS degrees in dental hygiene. CCD is one of 13 institutions in the Colorado Community College System (CCCS).

For more information about new BAS visit www.CCD.edu/BAS.

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With nearly 8,000 students, Community College of Denver is located on the vibrant Auraria Campus in downtown Denver. As a leading point of entry to higher education for the city and county of Denver, CCD offers small-class sizes and flexible schedules, career and academic programs, award-winning professors, extensive advisory and support services, world-class facilities, easy access via RTD light rail, and affordable tuition. CCD is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution and is one of 13 community colleges in the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). Learn more at www.CCD.edu.