Dental Education
Online Master of Medical Sciences in Dental Education
Gain the skills, knowledge, and leadership tools to shape the future of dental education—100% online, with full-time or part-time options.
Discover a program designed for dental educators
Earn your Master of Medical Sciences (MMSc) in Dental Education from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. This fully online graduate program prepares dentists, allied oral health professionals, and academic leaders to design innovative curricula, strengthen teaching effectiveness, and lead meaningful change in academic dentistry and oral health education.
Designed for working professionals and accessible globally, the program integrates synchronous and asynchronous learning while building expertise in curriculum design, clinical and didactic teaching, educational research, and academic leadership. Students may complete the program in one year full-time or two years part-time.
Grounded in Harvard’s tradition of excellence, the program prepares graduates to shape the future of dental education worldwide.
Choose a format that fits your life
| Program length | Format | Degree awarded |
|---|---|---|
1 year (full-time) or 2 years (part-time) |
100% online with synchronous and asynchronous components |
Master of Medical Sciences (MMSc) in Dental Education |
Who should apply?
- Practicing dentists and dental educators
- Allied oral health professionals
- Public health professionals in oral health
- Academic leadership aspirants
- International clinicians with a passion for teaching
Eligibility: A bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent is required.
Why choose this program?
Continue your work in clinical practice or academia while earning your degree. The flexible online format blends live, real-time sessions with self-paced coursework—no relocation required.
Build expertise in didactic, preclinical, and clinical teaching methods. Prepare to lead curriculum reform, inspire future clinicians, and drive innovation in academic dentistry.
Collaborate with a diverse cohort of educators, clinicians, and public health professionals from around the world. Expand your network and gain new perspectives on dental education.
Position yourself for influential roles such as program director, department chair, or academic dean. Grow your credibility and confidence as a leader in dental education.
Access world-class faculty, cutting-edge educational tools, and the deep institutional knowledge of Harvard School of Dental Medicine—an institution committed to equity, excellence, and global engagement.
Curriculum overview
From curriculum design and educational research to leadership communication and AI applications in healthcare, the Online MMSc in Dental Education curriculum equips students with the skills to lead, teach, and innovate in dental and oral health education.
Full-time students complete all program requirements in one year. Part-time students complete core courses in Year 1 and the remaining requirements in Year 2. Courses are offered during Eastern Time business hours (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.) for both full-time and part-time tracks.
Core Course: Introduction to Dental Education
An immersive eight-week course introducing students to the foundations of educational theory and higher education administration at the start of the program.
Core Course: Innovation in Dental Education and Scholarship (IDEAS)
An interdisciplinary course covering pedagogy, curriculum design, assessment, research methods, biostatistics, and clinical education.
Core Course: Effective Leadership Communication Seminar Series
Develops persuasive communication and public speaking skills for leadership in education and healthcare settings.
Dental Education E-Portfolio
A year-long reflective portfolio documenting program activities and learning milestones while reinforcing key concepts in dental education.
Core Course: AI Applications in Education and Healthcare
Explores artificial intelligence and innovation in health professions education and clinical practice.
Capstone Project
A faculty-guided capstone project completed and presented at the conclusion of the program as a graduation requirement.
Core Course: Fundamentals of Biostatistics for Healthcare Educators
A seven-session course introducing the fundamentals of biostatistics and applied data analysis using statistical software.
Elective Across Harvard
Students may choose from select offerings across Harvard University, including courses in learning sciences, design thinking, global health policy, and writing for publication.
External Education
Students enroll in one Harvard School of Dental Medicine expert-led continuing education course in a topic of their choice. Participants also have the opportunity to engage with course directors and gain insight into effective educational strategies and professional training.
Admissions at a glance
| Admissions detail | Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | February 1 | |||
Program start | July 1, 2027 | |||
Learning format | Online | |||
Program length | 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time | |||
Degree earned | MMSc in Dental Education | |||
Professional commitment | Full-time: Avoid additional professional commitments Part-time: Approximately 6 hours/week for live sessions, plus asynchronous coursework | |||
Application fee | $95 (non-refundable), pay online below | |||
Degree earned | Master of Medical Sciences (MMSc) in Dental Education | |||
Estimated tuition | $76,828 (The cost of attendance reflects the projected cost for the 2026-2027 academic year and is subject to change for future academic years.) | |||
TOEFL | Applicants who only have international academic degrees must demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. See requirements and waiver criteria. |
Application requirements
1. Apply via ADEA PASS and include the following materials
- Supplemental essay
In addition to the personal statement, HSDM requires a supplemental essay (maximum 3,000 characters, including spaces) responding to the following prompt: “Tell us about a time when you engaged in a difficult conversation with someone whose perspective differed from your own. Were you able to find common ground? If so, how? If not, what were the primary barriers?” - CV or résumé
- All university transcripts
- Institutional Evaluation Form (IEF)*
- Three Professional Evaluation Forms (PEFs)**
If applicable
- Transcript evaluation (for non-US degrees)
- TOEFL scores (required for international students)
2. Pay your application fee online.
* IEF may come from a postdoctoral program or research advisor (e.g., PI).
** At least one PEF should come from your most recent academic director or employer.
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or the foreign equivalent.
1. Download the paper application for allied health applicants. DMD/DDS or foreign equivalent applicants must apply through the ADEA PASS portal.
2. Submit completed app and materials to: age_admissions@hsdm.harvard.edu
- Completed HSDM application form
- CV or résumé
- All university transcripts
- Three Professional Evaluation Forms (PEFs)*
If applicable
- Transcript evaluation (for non-US degrees)
- TOEFL scores (required for international students)
3. Pay your application fee online
* At least one PEF should come from your most recent academic director or employer.
Program director
Sang E. Park
Faculty and staff
Muath Aldosari
Sondos B. Alghamdi
Edward Krupat
Jill Slye
Questions?
We’re here to help with information, guidance, and next steps.