Program at a Glance
32 weeks
Length of Program
4 courses
Taken online
Certificate
Earned upon program completion
About Our Program
The Oral Health Educator Certificate program provides you with the knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective educator in the classroom and in the clinic. This program develops essential skills, while guiding learners in the exploration of contemporary educational methods, innovative teaching strategies and student assessment. Early-career and seasoned educators will enhance their understanding of dental education.
The certificate can be completed asynchronously over 32 weeks of curriculum, across four courses. Each course is eight weeks long, and courses can be taken individually or in sequence in pursuit of the certificate.
Course Series
The Oral Health Educator Certificate Program is made up of 4 courses for a total of 12 credits.
Course dates:
- Didactic Teaching: August 24 - October 18, 2026
- Clinical Teaching: October 19 - December 13, 2026
- Assessment: January 4 - February 28, 2027
- Instructional Strategies: March 1 - April 25, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Why pursue a certificate?
Oral health practitioners often take on the role of educator following years of clinical practice. You may not have received any formal training in teaching, and may not be familiar with the academic environment. The online, self-paced courses involved in the certificate will develop your confidence as an educator while allowing you to maintain work-life balance.
Who should apply?
Faculty, lecturers and instructors engaged in dental and dental hygiene education and seeking to develop effective classroom and clinical teaching skills are welcome to apply for this certificate.
Prerequisites:
- Bachelor's degree, at minimum
- Licensure in a dental profession
- A current faculty appointment in a dental educational institution
School of Dentistry professors on the Oral Health Educator Certificate Program
"The Oral Health Educator Certificate has given me all the tools I need to successfully transition from being a clinician to an educator. I can already see a noticeable difference in how I approach my students while teaching in both the clinical and classroom setting. I know I will benefit tremendously from this program, and more importantly, I know my students will too. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is looking to enhance their career in academia.” - Brian Hatch, DDS - Clinical Associate Professor
“One of the biggest things I’ve gotten out of this course so far is an appreciation for the educational process itself. I never realized the amount of effort, thought and preparation it takes to make a course. Now I have a greater appreciation for all the things I’ve learned—and the people who’ve taught me!” - Kacie Woodis, DDS - Clinical Associate Professor
Apply Today
Applications are submitted through the University of Minnesota Graduate School.
Get more information on requirements and the application process: