Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

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Graduate Program in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Students in the graduate program gain experience in oral and maxillofacial pathology practice, surgical pathology, clinical management of patients with disorders of the head and neck, pathology laboratory management and teaching and research skills for enhancement of an academic career. The program prepares qualified oral and maxillofacial pathology specialists for positions of responsibility in institutions of dental higher education and research, or in the oral pathology private practice setting.
The students will become involved in activities essential in the development of an oral and maxillofacial pathologist including clinical oral pathology consultations in the dental school clinics, daily biopsy review sessions where the student learns histopathologic diagnosis and the process of composing a pathology report; pathology laboratory management, tissue and slide preparation.
Mentoring in classroom instruction and lecture preparation and interaction with medical and dental colleagues on issues of patient care are included.
Curriculum
In addition to formal coursework and clinical activities within the dental school setting the student will participate in 12 months of general pathology rotations at UNC Health. Other rotations determined by the student’s interests are scheduled in July of the second year.
Admissions
The Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology program will not be accepting applications for July 1, 2025.
Additional Information
The Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology program will not be accepting applications for July 1, 2025.
Applications for admission to the program are through the UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School. Candidates should apply for the second summer session term (July 1 start date).
The application fee must be paid in US funds or through an international money order. This fee cannot be waived. Applications that arrive without the required fee will remain unprocessed, pending receipt of the fee. The UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School will send a notification of receipt of the application only after the fee has been paid and the application has been processed.
Admissions criteria are applied equally to all applicants regardless of race, gender, color, national origin or religion. Minority students are encouraged to apply.
General questions may be directed to:
The UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School
200A Bynum Hall
CB# 4010
Chapel Hill NC 27599-4010
Phone: (919) 966-2611
All prospective students must hold a DDS, DMD or equivalent degree from a dental school.
Applicants should have National Dental Board Scores (Part I) at the time of application. Part II should be completed prior to the start of the Program.
For international students, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) can serve as an alternative to National Dental Board Scores.
IIn addition to the above items, international applicants must include the following in their PASS application:
- Foreign transcripts evaluation
- TOEFL examination scores
International students are required to take the TOEFL exam with a minimum of 90 on the internet-based test, or the IELTS with a minimum score of 7.5. The exam score must be less than two years old.
International applicants must submit official academic records bearing the signature of the registrar or another academic official and either a raised or ink stamp or seal of the issuing institution. Records must be issued in the original language and be accompanied by certified English translations. International applicants must also submit verification that the degree has been awarded or a copy of the degree award.
Applicants may view the Adams School of Dentistry policies using the links below including, but not limited to, Bloodborne Pathogens and Infectious Disease.
The cost of attending graduate school includes tuition, fees, and health insurance, for which the student is billed directly. Tuition and fees for the master’s programs in the Adams School of Dentistry are available through the University Cashier.
Graduate students must pay tuition and fees during all years of study and training. These charges are subject to change at any meeting of the NC Board of Trustees and a yearly increase of 5-10 percent should be anticipated each year. Estimates for living expenses are available through the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid.
Out-of-state students and international students with permanent resident status (“green card”) are required to establish legal residence in North Carolina and to apply for classification as a state resident for tuition purposes when eligible. Failure to do so will result in the denial of tuition remission and in-state award. Guidelines and application forms for establishing residency are available from the UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School.
Stipend Support
Stipends are contingent on availability of funds. Regardless of the availability of stipend support, teaching responsibilities are required as a part of the program.
Tuition Remission
Tuition remission, or the reduction by 50% of the out-of-state to the in-state tuition rate, is awarded by the semester as is a 50% in-state award which also reduces tuition cost.
To meet the general eligibility requirements, the student must be enrolled as a full-time student during the semester of the award.
Awards are contingent on availability of funds; having a teaching or research assistantship does not guarantee remission will be awarded. There is no application process for tuition remission. Tuition remission is not offered during the summer.
Graduates are expected to participate in research oral presentations during the 1st year of residency, and to present their thesis research in the Adams School of Dentistry’s Research Day during the third year of residency. Preparation of a master’s level project with submission to a peer reviewed journal and an oral defense are required. Students will be encouraged to prepare abstracts and/or table clinics for scientific or educational meetings, as appropriate.
Students who are not graduates of an ADA-accredited dental school must complete a simulation exam as part of their NC intern permit process. Such candidates must pass and complete the simulation exam within two months of their formal matriculation in the program. If a candidate does not pass the simulation exam within the two-month interval, they cannot advance in the clinical program and will be subject to dismissal from the program. These students are also required to take and pass Applied Pharmacology in Summer Term II.
Contact
Mailing Address
UNC Adams School of Dentistry
Campus Box #7450
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7450