Admission Requirements

Steps for Admission

• Phase I – Complete all steps in Phase I to be accepted as a pre-program Dental Hygienist student. Students who have pre-program status have been accepted into the college but not into the program. Pre-program status may be granted because admissions requirements need to be satisfied, the program is filled to capacity, or the program start date is in the future. Pre-program students are eligible for financial aid and will be invited to complete Phase II requirements and general education courses. Pre-program students may not register for Dental Hygienist courses (508 numbered).
• Phase II – If not completed at the time of application, complete all steps in Phase II to become program eligible or for placement on the waiting list.
• Phase III – Students who needed to complete Phase II requirements will need to submit the Core Course Eligibility Form when the last Phase II requirement is satisfied to alert Admissions of program readiness.

Pre-Program Requirement (Phase I)

1. Submit an application for admission located at cvtc.edu/apply
2. Pay the one-time $30 application processing fee.
3. Education requirement: Applicants must be a high school graduate or have completed the High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) or the General Education Development Certificate (GED).
4. Assessment Range -submit ONE of the following by providing proof with a transcript or score sheet. You will be considered eligible for pre-program even if one of the below options is too low (except for the General Anatomy & Physiology requirement).
   • Minimum high school/GED/HSED GPA of 2.8
   • Minimum college GPA of 2.2 (6 or more credits)
   • Associate Degree or Bachelor's Degree
   • 806-177 General Anatomy & Physiology, Must obtain a “C” grade or better.
   • ACT® composite score 23
   • ACCUPLACER® (Next-Generation) Assessment composite score of 263. The composite score consists of Reading, Writing and Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS). ACCUPLACER® is an un-timed, computerized test. To schedule an ACCUPLACER® appointment, visit our website: cvtc.edu/assessment or contact Student Central at 715-833-6200. You will be subject to a testing fee.
     Compass® and ACCUPLACER® (Classic) scores are accepted as well. Contact Student Central at 715-833-6200 for additional information. 
5. Complete a Wisconsin Criminal Background Check and Background Information Disclosure Form. For instructions to request a background check, please go to cvtc.edu/backgroundcheck. A hardcopy instruction packet can be supplied upon request by calling 715-833-6200. A $39 fee will be required at the time of your order. Background checks processed for other entities will not be accepted.
   
   Please note: Your processed criminal history results are considered current for admission purposes for four years. If you are still enrolled as a student or re-enter CVTC after the four-year expiration date, you will be required to request another background check and pay the required processing fee. Also, once enrolled in core courses, you may be asked to complete another background check to meet certain clinical site compliance agreements.

Core Program Requirement (Phase II)

6. Submit proof of completion of the academic prerequisites of algebra, biology, and chemistry with a “C” grade or better in one of the following ways:
   1. Two semesters at high school level with a "C" grade or better each semester (high school transcript)
      Note: High school seniors currently enrolled in prerequisite classes must submit proof of current enrollment, OR
   2. One semester at postsecondary level with "C" grade or better (college transcript), OR
   3. Complete equivalent college-level courses (offered for credit at CVTC as 834-110 Elementary Algebra; 836-113 Prep for Basic Biology; and 836-133 Prep for Basic Chemistry).
7. Complete 806-177 General Anatomy & Physiology with a grade of "C" or better ("C-" is not acceptable). If this course was taken at a college other than CVTC, submit a transcript showing the grade and credits earned.
8. Meet and submit proof of one of the above Assessment Range options listed in Phase I. In order to be eligible for the core program, you must provide a transcript or score sheet that shows you have met the minimum required.
9. Complete the HESI A2® Exam – HESI A2® scores of 75 or higher in each of the following areas: Anatomy & Physiology and English are required. The English score is a composite of grammar, reading, and vocabulary. Please note: there is a Math section which is an optional test for this program, but required in other program areas. Therefore, it is recommended to take the Math section now to have on file. You will be subject to a testing fee and the number of times you can test are limited. It is also recommended that you take the HESI assessment after you complete General Anatomy & Physiology. For more detailed information about CVTC's HESI requirement and to schedule a testing appointment go to cvtc.edu/HESI.

Core Course Eligibility (Phase III) 

Applicants who meet all requirements in Phase I and II will be accepted or placed on a waiting list as of the date all documentation is received.

10. Core Course Eligibility – Applicants meeting one of the scores or options listed above in Phase I and completing Phase II requirements must submit a completed Core Course Eligibility Form (CCE Form) to the Admissions Office.
    • Prior to the end of each term you will be notified through student email of the CCE Form submission date for that term. You are also encouraged to check with the Admissions Office prior to the end of the term in which you are completing a pathway and coursework to find out the exact CCE Form submission date.
    • On the form applicants should indicate the August semester and year they will be prepared to begin the Dental Hygienist core courses. Applicants are placed on waiting lists by date of eligibility regardless of the semester and year requested.
    • Students completing all the Phase I and Phase II requirements will be accepted or placed on a waiting list only when the Core Course Eligibility Form is on file.

Additional Information

• A Pre-Entrance Health History and Physical Examination, Dental Exam and Prophylaxis, and Dental Office Visit/Interview – Forms must be on file three weeks prior to entering the core courses of the Dental Hygienist program (508 numbered courses). The Admissions Office will notify you at the appropriate time with a specific deadline.
• CPR certification - Students are required to attend a CPR training course on their first day of class. This training course is the American Heart Association – BLS Provider level and is administered through CVTC. Students must sign up and pay for this course along with their other core dental classes. More detailed information will be provided prior to the start of the semester.
• General Education Courses – Students are strongly encouraged to complete the general education courses for the Dental Hygienist program prior to starting the core program. It is strongly recommended that students complete the following courses within 5 years of entry into the program core courses.
  • 806-186 Introduction to Biochemistry
  • 806-197 Microbiology
• Course Sequence - Upon acceptance to the core program, students are required to follow the core course sequence (508 numbered courses) and semester credit load as identified on the Program Requirement Sheet.
• Financial Aid – Information on financial aid availability, procedures, and deadlines may be obtained by going to cvtc.edu/payforcollege or by calling 715-833-6200.
• Transfer Credit – Applicants with post-secondary credits should submit an official transcript* to the Admissions Office at admissionsmail@cvtc.edu for evaluation and possible transfer credit.

*Official transcripts must be submitted directly to CVTC from the educational institution by USPS mail or other recognized mail service providers in a sealed envelope or from a digital credential service (i.e., Parchment) approved by CVTC.

Last Updated: February 22, 2024 @ 8:19 a.m.