Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (DEAP)

Dentists are integral members of the health care team. Today’s oral health professionals focus not only on the diagnosis and detection of oral health problems, they also stress the importance of oral health to systemic health and well-being. Oral-systemic health linkages and profound oral health disparities are indicated in emerging research. The West Virginia University School of Dentistry engages students in an abundance of educational, outreach, and research experiences to help reduce these disparities and prepare them to provide exemplary and culturally sensitive oral healthcare. There are many career options in dentistry, including private practice, public health and academic dentistry. Dentists in private practice serve as their own bosses, allowing them flexibility to balance their professional and personal lives. A career in public health focuses on community health. Academic dentistry careers combine teaching, research, community service, and patient care. There are nine recognized dental specialties:  Dental Public Health, Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, and Prosthodontics. The need for dentists is expected to continue to increase as the demand for oral health care grows.

Capitalizing on the strength of partnerships, the WVU School of Dentistry and Slippery Rock University (SRU) are joining together to promote students’ seamless progression from college to dental school through the Slippery Rock University and WVU School of Dentistry Dental Early Admission Program (SRU/WVU DEAP). This joint program helps simplify the dental school admission process while easing the financial burden of the application. DEAP gives a select number of motivated Slippery Rock University pre-dental students an early introduction to the WVU School of Dentistry faculty, students and alumni while also providing unique opportunities to help prepare them for WVU’s challenging dental program.

The WVU School of Dentistry has partnered with SRU’s Department of Biology to offer highly qualified rising sophomores at SRU potential early admission to WVU’s Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) program. Individuals who complete their first year at SRU and aspire to earn a dental degree are eligible to apply to DEAP. Admission to the DEAP is available to a maximum of two SRU students annually through a competitive application and interview process. West Virginia residents receive priority consideration. Because the WVU School of Dentistry values diversity and recognizes its importance in addressing access to quality oral health care, individuals from populations that are under-represented in dental school, including African American, Latino/Hispanic, Native American, first-generation college and economically disadvantaged, are encouraged to apply. 

Slippery Rock University is responsible for DEAP student recruitment since enrollment in SRU is a key program requirement.

DEAP applications are available to all SRU students who meet the specified criteria below.

DEAP is one of several WVU School of Dentistry early admission agreements with college and universities to help guide pre-dental students’ smooth progression into the D.D.S. program.  Participating students take part in pre-health professions seminars and community service activities while enrolled at SRU.

Applicants must have completed the following specific course requirements at SRU prior to application: 

  • Biology: A minimum of 11 semester credit hours, including two credits of laboratory work. These 11 credits may consist of 8 credits of general biology and zoology, or a combination of biology, zoology, and botany, and 3 credits of Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy.
  • Inorganic Chemistry: A minimum of eight semester credit hours, including two credits of laboratory work.
  • Organic Chemistry: A minimum of eight semester credit hours, including two credits of laboratory work.
  • Biochemistry: Three semester credit hours of Biochemistry.
  • Mathematics: Four semester credit hours of calculus and three credits of statistics
  • Physics: A minimum of eight semester credit hours, including two credits of laboratory work.
  • English: A minimum of six semester credit hours of composition and literature.
  • Behavioral Sciences: A minimum of six semester credit hours of courses in the behavioral sciences; i.e., psychology, sociology, anthropology, medical ethics, or philosophy.

DEAP Admission Requirements

Students admitted to DEAP must:

  • Have successfully completed a minimum of 30 semester hours and a maximum of 75 semester hours, with a minimum of a 3.60 GPA, to include at least two (2) of the required Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math core courses each semester.   Core courses are listed under “Undergraduate Curriculum.” 
  • Complete the Physics core courses by the completion of their sophomore year.

Prior to admission to DEAP, students must have at least 20 hours of documented observation in one or more general dental practices.

Upon acceptance to DEAP, students sign a commitment statement affirming their intention to satisfy program requirements and participate in SRU/WVUSoD DEAP activities. 

DEAP participants typically are expected to complete their undergraduate degree at SRU within 4 four years.

Dental School Application

In the summer following their junior year at SRU, DEAP students are required to apply to the WVU D.D.S. program via the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) and, when prompted, complete the WVU School of Dentistry Supplemental Application for Admission in the fall semester of their senior year. The latter application fee is waived. An interview with the Dental Admissions Committee is required to verify that the candidate has fulfilled all D.D.S. program admissions requirements. DEAP applicants are informed about their dental school application status via letter from the Associate Dean for Dental Admissions, Recruitment and Access on or after December 1.

SRU DEAP Application

Individuals who receive provisional acceptance to the WVU School of Dentistry educational programs must pass a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI), at their own expense, prior to final acceptance to the WVU School of Dentistry.

DEAP Ongoing Requirements

To continue participation in DEAP while enrolled in Slippery Rock University, students must:

  • Maintain at least 3.60 overall and science GPAs.
  • Maintain standards of honesty, integrity, and citizenship.

Students accepted into the SRU/WVUSoD DEAP program will be guaranteed admittance to the WVU dental program if they:

  • Successfully complete all prerequisite courses for dental school admission and all other requirements, including immunizations and criminal background clearance.
  • Have maintained overall and science GPAs of 3.60 or above at Slippery Rock University.
  • Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and score at or above the average Academic and Perceptual Ability Test (PAT) scores achieved by the previous WVU entering dental class.
  • Fulfill preparatory community service (minimum 75 hours) and dental shadowing requirements (minimum 75 hours in various general dental practices).
  • Successfully complete dental school application and interview requirements.
  • Demonstrate honesty, integrity, leadership and citizenship.
  • Individuals who receive provisional acceptance to the WVU School of Dentistry educational programs must pass a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI), at their own expense, prior to final acceptance to the WVU School of Dentistry.

Undergraduate Curriculum

Biology Core Courses (11 semester credit hours)

  • Bio 104 Principles of Biology (4 hours)
  • Bio 212 General Zoology (4 hours)
  • Biology 340 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (3 hours)

Chemistry Core Courses (19 semester credit hours)

  • Inorganic Chemistry + labs (8 hours)
  • Organic Chemistry + labs (8 hours)
  • Biochemistry (3 hours)

Mathematics Core Courses (7 semester credit hours)

  • Math 225 Calculus (8 hours)
  • BIOL 325 Biometry (8 hours)

Physics Core Courses + labs (8 semester credit hours)

English Composition and Rhetoric Core Courses (6 semester credit hours)

Behavioral and Social Sciences Core Courses (6 semester credit hours)

  • Psychology 101 (3 hours)
  • Elective Behavioral/Social Sciences Course (3 hours)

Dental Track Courses (26 semester credit hours)

Slippery Rock University determines the additional courses necessary to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements.