Orthodontics Advanced Specialty Training Program
Orthodontics Advanced Specialty Training Program Heading link
The Department of Orthodontics, University of Illinois Chicago, offers a program which leads to a Specialty Certificate in Orthodontics through the College of Dentistry and the M.S. in Oral Sciences degree under the auspices of the Graduate College.
Learn more about the Department of Orthodontics.
Program Description Heading link
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A minimum of 30 consecutive months of continuous attendance is required of candidates for the Specialty Certificate and Master of Science degree. Eight to nine residents begin the program each July. Students must register for a full program each semester during their residency, which will include the clinical and didactic courses required for the Specialty Certificate, Oral Sciences courses, research, and teaching.
The program is designed to prepare residents for American Board of Orthodontics diplomate status. The curriculum is composed of seminars, lectures, clinical practice with emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving. The program includes instruction and extensive experience in diagnosis and treatment planning, biomechanics, orthognathic surgery and other interdisciplinary procedures. The residents will have the opportunity of treating the full range of different malocclusions in children and adults in a state-of-the-art orthodontic facility.
An original research project intended to produce results suitable for publication in a peer reviewed journal is required for the receipt of the Certificate in Orthodontics as well as the MS Degree. Residents are also encouraged to present their scientific results at regional and national meetings.
The program can be individualized for those who wish to combine specialty training in orthodontics with a Ph.D. degree. The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. The content follows the ERASMUS recommendations.
Admission Eligibility Heading link
Applicants must possess a DDS, DMD, or equivalent degree or be on track to graduate with required degree prior to matriculation into the program.
Applicants in the United States must have a DDS, DMD or equivalent degree to apply.
A foreign-trained dentist can apply for the program as long as the applicant earned a foreign DDS credentialed degree equivalent to the DDS, DMD degree like the United States.
Tuition & Fees Heading link
The 2024 – 2025 total programmatic tuition and fee rate $43,075 annually and university student fees estimated to be $7,329 per year (with anticipated annual increase of 1.5%, pending approval by the Board of Trustees). Additional expenses include one time instruments, licensing, board exams, memberships, camera, laptop and supplies at approximately $10,000. Billing will occur in each of the 3 semesters, Fall, Spring and Summer. (Note: All fees are subject to change for the next academic year. We will update the latest tuition upon approval of the school.)
The college does NOT provide a tuition waiver. Consequently, you may wish to apply for financial assistance to help cover the cost of your education. Consideration for federal and/or state aid programs require applicants to complete the FAFSA. For eligibility and further information visit the UIC Office of Student Financial Aid.
International students need to provide evidence of funding to the UIC Office of International Services during their application process. The applicant can find more information here on acceptable proof of financial support:
(Unfortunately, we also are not able to advise the student on any private lenders that work with international students.)
Compensation plan – UIC Advanced Education Specialty Program in Orthodontics provides the below compensation plan for eligible students as follows:
- First year of program – $12,000 per year
- Second year of program – $15,000 per year
- Third year of program – $18,000 per year
International student fee: There is a fee of $130.00 per semester (Fall and Spring) and $65.00 per summer session for all international students attending UIC in valid non-immigrant status such as F-1, J-1, H-4, and J-2 The fee will allow the Office of International Services to continue to provide essential services, upgrade technologies used for student advising, increase programming options, and host cultural events to increase and expand upon the UIC Experience.
How to Apply Heading link
The UIC College of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics participates both in PASS (Postdoctoral Application Support Service) and in the National Matching Services. Applicants should request BOTH Applicant Agreement Packages.
The deadline for the 2024-2025 admission cycle is August 15th, 2024. If you miss the application window, please check our website in the near future for more updated information.
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIRED OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED THROUGH THE PASS WEBSITE (https://www.adea.org/pass/) ONLY.
DO NOT MAIL ANYTHING DIRECTLY TO THE DEPARTMENT.
Original Copies of Official documents will be required only upon acceptance to the program.
1. Completed PASS Application Form
2. Three Professional Evaluations
3. Official Dean’s/Institution Evaluation
4. Curriculum Vitae/Resume
5. Official undergraduate college transcripts
Official undergraduate college transcripts are required for all undergraduate colleges attended. The copy/unofficial transcripts can be uploaded to Pass in the meantime for selection. The official transcript only needed once the applicants are matched and accepted to the program.
6. Official dental school transcripts
Official dental school transcripts are required for all dental schools attended. The copy/unofficial transcripts can be uploaded to Pass in the meantime for selection. The official transcript only needed once they matched and accepted to the program.
7. Tests required
We require ONE of the following tests: INDBE, GRE, ADAT, or DAT official scores. Applicants may upload the unofficial test scores to PASS for application purpose. After the match results come out, the applicants who match with our program will be required to provide the official test scores to the University’s central admissions office https://applygrad.uic.edu/portal/programs.
If the applicant has not taken the DAT, ADAT, MCAT or National Dental Board Examinations (NBDE or INBDE), the GRE General test is REQUIRED.
Institution code to use when ordering your GRE score report is 1851. No departmental code is required
Note: As stated above, foreign-trained applicants unable to submit NDBE Part I/INBDE exam results are REQUIRED to take one of the three standardized tests ADAT, DAT, or GRE.
8. Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) examination results is REQUIRED of all international applicants and applicants who are educated in a country where English is not the primary language.
Our TOEFL requirements are the same as for the MS in Oral Sciences degree program as set by the UIC Graduate College (Refer to the section of English proficiency under the following link: https://admissions.uic.edu/graduate-professional/requirements-deadlines/international-requirements).
9. 2 x 2 photo of applicant in JPEG or PNG format (Note: Photo needs to be emailed to ortho@uic.edu)
10. Application Fees (payable to UIC Department of Orthodontics)
All applicants are required to submit a non-refundable processing fee of $25.00 to the UIC Department of Orthodontics through our online Payment Portal:
Should there be any question in regards to the online payment portal please contact
Attn: Huibi Liu
E-mail: ortho@uic.edu
Regarding the Graduate College Application and Fee to the UIC Department of Orthodontics
The fee to the UIC Graduate College is a SEPARATE fee from the application fee to the UIC Department of Orthodontics, and will be required AFTER the application matches.
AT THIS TIME, PLEASE DO NOT COMPLETE THE APPLICATION AND DON’T PAY APPLICATION FEE TO THE UIC GRADUATE COLLEGE.
The Graduate College Application will have to be filled only by the candidates who are ACCEPTED in the Program, after the matching process is complete. The links below for Domestic and International applicants are simply informational.
Admission criteria are applied equally to all applicants regardless of race, sex, gender, color, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation.
Please Note: The Department of Orthodontics will only interview applicants that exclusively apply to match-only programs.
Additional resources for prospective applicants and potential evaluators.
ADEA PASS and Match application video tutorial
Information on detailed application prerequisite and matriculation requirements
ADEA PASS Contact: JonesY@adea.org or 202-289-7201 Ext. 190
More information about UIC Graduate/Professional Degree Seeking applicants can be found at:
Additional information for international applicants:
International applicants may contact UIC OIS (Office of International Services) directly with their citizen question. They would best be able to advise on the applicant’s specific situation. UIC Office of International Services contact email is OIS@uic.edu.
Interviews Heading link
All interviews are scheduled by invitation from the Department of Orthodontics. Faculty and applicants meet during interviews. After the interview is concluded, the admission committee meets and the results are forwarded to the Match Program.
Any questions regarding application procedures should be directed to:
Department of Orthodontics
College of Dentistry
University of Illinois Chicago
801 South Paulina Street, M/C 841, Room 131
Chicago, IL 60612-7211
Fax: 312-996-0873
E-mail: ortho@uic.edu