West Coast University (WCU) started in Los Angeles, California in a single classroom, focusing on ophthalmology. That was 1909 and for over 100 years has expanded to a pristine healthcare education institution. WCU has a unique student-centric approach by combining critical thinking, developing academically, professionally and personally. It is a combination of critical thinking with hands-on experience putting the students “ahead of the curve” over the traditional University approach.
WCU has both an on-ground and online academic presence. They have seven modern facilities in three states- Southern California, Texas and Florida. They are focused undergraduate degree programs in nursing and dental hygiene. In addition, they have Master’s and Doctorate programs in nursing, health administration, occupational or physical therapy, and pharmacy.
For those of you that have always enjoyed science, and even more into healthcare then a career in dental hygiene may be just the option you are looking for. In addition to that, it is possible to earn your Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene in less than 32 months. Of course, to accomplish this, you may have to enjoy warmer weather at WCU’s Orange County campus as that is where it is offered. WCU is among only 53 Dental Hygiene programs conferring baccalaureate degree in the United States. Of all the dental hygiene schools in California, WCU is among the most popular. In addition is it one of the four in the state of California and the first of its kind in the United States.
During your training you will be part of the dental clinic that offers free services to the public. This free dental clinic helps more than 15,000 patients per year. This is an example of the hands-on approach that WCU offers its students.
If you wish to apply for this program, or if you are requesting advanced standing in the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) you must accomplish the following:
Passing of the Test for Essential Academic Skills (commonly referred to as the TEAS Test) with a minimum of 50% is required. The dental hygiene program applicant may retake the TEAS test ONCE if it’s not passed the first time. If the TEAS test isn’t passed by the second attempt, the applicant has to wait at least 6 months before retaking the test. During this 6 month period, additional study is highly advised. Passing scores are only valid for up to one year. During the application process and information sessions, the Applicant will be given deadlines and detailed information regarding the TEAS test, observing current dental hygienists, and more. These information sessions are mandatory to ensure the applicant is fully prepared.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to complete the application, and provide the supporting documents. Once these have been submitted, they will be evaluated at which point the conclusion of acceptance or not will be provided to the applicant. The evaluation process does include an objective analysis of the following:
The scale is 100 points which breaks down as follows:
Applicants are then ranked on a peer level and then selected into the program. It is the policy of the school to not have a waiting list. The applicants who are not accepted need to reapply for the next class.
West Coast University Dental Hygiene Program 714-782-1700 1477 S Manchester Ave Anaheim, CA 92802
For those applicants to the WCU Dental Hygiene program who want to request an evaluation of transferrable credits, the following must be provided: Official transcript of transferring university have to be provided BEFORE the deadline for the application. General Ed courses and pre-requisite classes are the only courses that can be transferred. Any other course work completed that applies to this program will have to be re-taken at WCU. Only credit from an accredited institution(s) for the General and pre-requisite courses for the WCU dental hygiene course will be accepted.
Science courses more than 5 years since completion will not be considered or accepted. All the dental hygiene classes must be taken at WCU and in proper succession as the program at WCU is built upon the previous courses. It is imperative that the applicant request transfer credit at the time of application, and not after application has been submitted. Any requests for credit transfer after application is submitted won’t be considered.