Completion of the dental hygiene curriculum requires a minimum of four full academic years of study. The first two years focus on a broad spectrum of courses, including; university general education core requirements, competencies, and proficiencies, as well as dental hygiene prerequisite basic science courses. Once admitted to the program, students combine dental hygiene lecture and clinical coursework over a twoyear period on a semester system. Upon satisfactory completion of university and dental hygiene program requirements, students receive a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree. Dental hygiene graduates are eligible to take national, regional, and state licensing examinations. Successful completion of the examinations enable baccalaureate dental hygienists to seek employment in private dental practices, health clinics, school programs, public health programs, hospitals, nursing homes, industrial clinics, college dental hygiene programs, corporations, and research.?