The pre-dentistry pathway at Southwestern University prepares you to pursue a career in dental medicine.
Dentists combine scientific knowledge, technical skill, and strong communication abilities to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health conditions. The profession offers the opportunity to work closely with patients, improve community health, and build long-term relationships through patient care.
At Southwestern, students receive individualized advising to help them design an academic and co-curricular pathway that prepares them for dental school. Through rigorous coursework in the natural sciences, combined with opportunities for research, service, and clinical observation, students develop the academic preparation and professional experiences needed to become competitive applicants.
Although many pre-dentistry students major in biology or biochemistry, students from a wide range of academic majors successfully apply to dental school. Southwestern’s liberal arts environment helps students develop the scientific knowledge, communication skills, and cultural competency that dental schools value.
Students preparing for dental school benefit from guidance through the Pre-Medical Advisory Committee, which provides individualized advising and a centralized process to support students throughout the dental school application process.
Each professional program sets its own entrance requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to research individual schools and ensure all prerequisite coursework is completed accordingly.
Core Courses
- BIO50-173/171: Molecular and Cellular Foundations in Biology (Lecture + Lab)
- BIO50-183/181: Evolutionary and Ecological Foundations in Biology (Lecture + Lab)
- Two additional upper-level Biology courses
- CHE51-103/101: General Chemistry I (Lecture + Lab)
- CHE51-203/201: General Chemistry II (Lecture + Lab)
- CHE51-313/311: Organic Chemistry I (Lecture + Lab)
- CHE51-323/321: Organic Chemistry II (Lecture + Lab)
- CHE51-604: Principles of Biochemistry
- PHY53-154/150: Physics I (Lecture + Lab)
- PHY53-164/160: Physics II (Lecture + Lab)
- MAT52-114: Introduction to Statistics
- Six semester hours of college English
Recommended Courses
While not required by every dental school, the following courses can strengthen preparation for the DAT and dental training.
- PSY33-104: Principles of Psychology
- SOC34-114: Introduction to Sociology or SOC34-124: Social Problems
- HIS16-014: Disease, Health, and Medicine in World History
- PSY33-344: Lifespan Development
- PSY33-544: Health Psychology
- BUS30-114: Fundamentals of Accounting
Advising Resources
Current students, alumni, and advisors can visit our Pre-Health website for additional resources on preparing for professional school, navigating the application process, and requesting letters of recommendation.