The application for the Dental Hygiene B.S. Degree Completion Option is available to download online. Within this application, there are 2 specific checklists, one for transfer students, and one for MSU, Mankato alumni. The completed application materials should be mailed directly to Angela Monson (address below).
Angela Monson, RDH, MSIn addition to applying to the program, transfer students must apply to Minnesota State University, Mankato. This can be done online by going to the Admission for Transfer Students page.
In this program, students participate in asynchronous online discussions; which means over the course of the week each student can be online when they want to. There are no required chat times where all students must be online at the same time. Students will gain knowledge through introductions by the professor, reading materials with a textbook or current journal articles, reviewing and locating current online resources, discussion with peers and reflection of applied knowledge through writing short papers. APA reference style is required for all written papers. Tests or quizzes are infrequent and would be open book. The classes encourage all students to utilize evidence based decision making and apply knowledge gained directly into clinical practice.
MSU currently uses Desire2Learn as the online platform for courses. Extended Learning provides great resources for students to use to prepare for online learning including a demonstration course in D2L. Technology requirements and skill requirements are also listed at this valuable website. It is highly recommended that all students interested in taking online courses at MSU review this website before starting class work.
To be able to register for classes, you will need your MSU Tech ID number (awarded after successful application to MSU) and your pin number. To register go to the E-services website. If this is the first time you have used your pin, the default pin is set to either your birth date (YYMMDD format) or the last six digits of your social security number. Help with identifying either your Tech ID number or your pin can be found at on the E-services Login Help page.
Once you are logged into the registration system, you have access to search for open sections, add a class, view your class schedule and registration windows and check any holds under the Registration tab. If you register for classes through the Search for Open Sections feature, you do not need to know the 6 digit course ID number. If you register for classes through the Quick Add feature, you will need to find the 6 digit course ID number available through the Course Listings page. The Student tab allows you to check you final grades, print or view your academic record and review your financial aid/account. The My Home tab allows you to modify your pin number through the User Account Maintenance.
There are two common holds that students commonly have on their account. The first hold is for transfer students related to MSU orientation. All Transfer students will receive an invitation to the University orientation, as part of the normal introduction to life at MSU. Unfortunately, a campus trip to MSU is unrealistic for the majority of online students. MSU has a new online orientation program for extended learning students, including those taking only online courses. Basically, it's a website where students learn about the resources they will need as an online or off-campus student, followed by a short quiz. I personally recommend printing the quiz and then moving through the website to discover the answers. After completion of the quiz, an email is sent to the Office of First Year Experience and the hold will be lifted. The link to this site is http://www.mnsu.edu/fye/orientation/extended/
The second common hold is for any transfer student or previous MSU student who has not taken upper division classes. This hold relates to an undeclared major and/or program required (inability to register for upper division courses). To have this hold removed, please email your advisor, Angela Monson at angela.monson@mnsu.edu or 507-389-2214. Include your name, MSU Tech ID, and explain the situation. The MSU Dental Hygiene secretary will be contacted to remove the program required hold.
If you have any other holds on your account, contact the Campus Hub at (507) 389-1866 or Toll Free at 1-800-722-0544. Questions can also be emailed to campushub@mnsu.edu.
Students can begin taking classes in either the fall or the spring of each academic year. At this time, none of the Dental Hygiene Degree Completion courses are offered during the summer.
Students can take up to seven years to finish their degree following the same entry course bulletin.
At this time, the Dental Hygiene Degree Completion classes will be offered on a 2 year rotating basis, with a minimum of 9 credits offered each semester. The plan for course offerings for 2007-2009 follows:
MSU Alumni received their Tech ID on the MSU MavCard. Tech ID numbers are listed on transcripts (both official and unofficial) described as "Student Campus ID" in the upper right corner. MSU Alumni can also use the following E-services Login Help website to locate their Tech ID.
Transfer Students will be issued the MSU Tech ID number after successful application to the University.
MSU Alumni who have taken any courses at another institution should request a transfer evaluation from the MSU Registrar's Office. This request can be made via email at: deborah.beal@mnsu.edu or on the phone at: 507-389-6266. Further information about transfer evaluations is available on the Transfer Evaluation page.
Transfer students will be mailed a copy of their transfer evaluation worksheet after successful application to MSU. Questions regarding the status of application should be directed to the Office of Admissions at admissions@mnsu.edu or on the phone at: 507-389-1822. Questions regarding the status of the Transfer Evaluation Worksheet can be made via email at: pamela.mattick@mnsu.edu or on the phone at: 507-389-5948.
An individual plan of study is designed with each student after reviewing the total number of credits achieved, number of general education credits achieved, number of upper division credits achieved, and types of degrees achieved. All students must complete a minimum of 40 upper division credits to be awarded a Baccalaureate degree. In addition, students must satisfy the General Education Requirements at MSU, Mankato.
If all campuses attended are within the MnSCU institutions, the CAS system can be used to help determine what general education categories have been completed, and what categories remain. The dental hygiene coursework will be accepted as part of unique articulation agreements, and are not included in CAS. CAS information can be found on the CAS website.
Prior to application to the program or MSU, an approximate plan of study can be determined by mailing unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended to Angela Monson (address below).
Angela Monson, RDH, MSAll academic institutions awarding Baccalaureate degrees require some form of General Education. General education coursework is designed to help each graduate identify and understand issues that arise in areas outside of the specified major. Additionally, general education courses encourage students to develop sound writing and speaking skills, develop critical thinking, and value the culture, knowledge, history, and views of other people and communities.
At MSU, transfer students are required to complete 40 credits of General Education, or have previously completed an Associate of Arts degree, or the MN Transfer Curriculum. Most students have completed the majority of these courses by the time they apply to MSU, Mankato. The 40 credits of General Education are required in 9 different categories (1-10 excluding 2). A description of these categories can be found on the Academic Bulletins page.
Some classes such as DHYG 442 Current Issues in Dental Hygiene will not have a textbook, but rather require you to access and print specified journal articles. Required textbooks can be found through the University Bookstore website or call the bookstore directly at: 507-389-1649.
First time users need to register online. While used books can be requested online, they may or may not be available. A charge for the books occurs once they are mailed. Shipping and Handling will be added: $6.95 for the 1st book and $1.95 for each additional book. Books can be purchased in person at the MSU bookstore to avoid shipping and handling charges. A credit card is needed to purchase online.
Current tuition prices of attending an online class at MSU, Mankato are the same as traditional face to face coursework. Tuition information can be found at: http://www.mnsu.edu/campushub/tuition_fees/index.html. Minnesota State University, Mankato is pleased to offer in-state tuition to out-of-state students who take 100% online coursework. Students enrolled exclusively in online courses at Minnesota State University, Mankato for an academic term can submit a request to be charged tuition at a market rate equivalent to the rate charged for on-campus Minnesota resident students.
Exceptions to the 100% Online Learner market rate tuition occur when the student is a resident of a state with a reciprocity agreement with the State of Minnesota; in those cases, the reciprocity rates supersedes the 100% Online Learner rate.
If you are a resident of Minnesota, you do not need to request the 100% Online Learner status.
The MSU Campus Hub serves as the resource center for student questions and concerns including financial aid. The Financial Aid Programs website includes information about how to apply for aid, the types of aid available including special programs. All questions regarding financial aid should be addressed to the Campus Hub at 507-389-1866 or Toll Free at 1-800-722-0544. Questions can also be emailed to campushub@mnsu.edu.
No campus visits are required in the program. Certain courses may arrange weekend visits (Friday/Saturday) to allow students to participate in hands on training related to advanced instrumentation or technology. Notice of a weekend visit would be provided within the course syllabus. Students unable to attend campus visits would be able to make other arrangements with the instructor.
In order to obtain interlibrary materials, you need a barcode number from your MavCard. If you would like to visit the campus, information about a traditional MavCard can be found on the MavCard website. If you are unable to visit the campus, an extended learning MavCard can be ordered through the Extended Learning MavCard page.
Students will need to be able to use library databases to search for current literature about dentistry. The library subject guides of dental hygiene provide a list of databases that commonly provide research articles related to dentistry including Academic Search Premier, Medline, and Scopus. To access these databases from off campus, you will need to enter your MavUser name and MavPassword (which may be different from the username and password you use for D2L). Information about the Virtual Private Network used to access library materials off campus is available at the Library: Proxy Server page. Further information and assistance with using the MSU library from a distance is available at the Distance Library Services page.
MSU, Mankato offers some general education coursework online. Students can search for online courses using the following information on the Tips for Course Search page. MN Online is another avenue for students to identify online courses from other Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. When selecting general education coursework, it is highly recommended to work directly with the degree completion coordinator, to ensure successful transfer and equivalency. Further information about MN Online and example courses that meet MSU General Education requirements can be requested from the degree completion coordinator at: angela.monson@mnsu.edu.
If you are completing a course from another institution, and need financial aid for this course, please contact the Campus Hub with the institution name and course number/title, including number of credits. They will help you determine if you need a Common Market Passport or a Consortium Agreement. This process will be completed in conjunction with the MSU Registrar's Office and can take anywhere from 2-5 weeks. Students may need to be registered and pay for the course before the agreement can be complete, and will later be reimbursed through financial aid's normal distribution process.
Students who complete all 32 credits of the degree completion program can register for any elective upper division credits that interest them. These 8 credits can be taken at MSU, Mankato, or at another 4-year institution close to home. These students also have the opportunity to test out of 8 credits of dental hygiene coursework. Requirements for the Credit by Examination include:
No, the Dental Hygiene B.S. Degree Completion program is considered a broad major and does not need a minor.
Prior to applying for graduation, check with Angela Monson, Degree Completion Coordinator, to be sure your Plan of Study has been approved and sent to the Registrar's Office. Students are unable to be processed by the Graduation Office at MSU without this form. Be sure to write on your application for graduation that you are seeking the Dental Hygiene BS Degree Completion Option Code 0629.
The undergraduate graduation process at MSU begins by a student filling out an application for graduation form—available at the Registrar's Office or the HUB. Students are asked to apply for graduation one year in advance of their proposed graduation date.
Applications for Graduation are due no later than two weeks (14 calendar days) prior to the last day of a given term. Applications received after the deadline will not be evaluated for that term and will be moved to the next term.
The Graduation Department processes applications, in the order they are received, to assure that all requirements and general University policies are met. When these items are met, degrees are placed onto a student's record.
The most common policies/requirements affecting graduation with a four year degree are:
Some important items which will make the graduation process go smoothly are:
Questions concerning caps and gowns should be directed to the Barnes and Noble bookstore on campus (room: SU 18, phone: 389-1649)
Questions concerning graduation ceremonies should be directed to the MSU Commencement Office (room: AF 217, phone: 389-1798)
Questions concerning undergraduate graduation should be directed to the Graduation Department (room: WA 132, phone: 389-6266, 1-800-722-0544)
Not the Ghostbusters. The proper person or office to contact depends on the question.
Questions concerning Registration, Financial Aid, Student Charges and Payments, MavCard, Transcripts, Address/Name Change and other campus information should be directed to:
Campus Hub
Phone: 507-389-1866 or Toll Free at 1-800-722-0544
Email: campushub@mnsu.edu
Questions concerning your computer, campus email, MavDISK, or your Mav User Name and Password should be directed to:
Technology Help Desk
Phone: 507-389-6654
Email: helpdesk@mnsu.edu
Questions concerning the Desire2Learn online platform should be directed to:
Desire2Learn Help Desk
507-389-6654
Questions specific to the Dental Hygiene B.S. Degree Completion program should be directed to:
Angela Monson
Phone: 507-389-2214
Email: angela.monson@mnsu.edu
