Combined PhD and Diploma in Orthodontics
This combined program option is a clinical specialty program that is offered in conjunction with a PhD in Craniofacial Science. The program provides education and training for clinicians, researchers and teachers. Achievement of the Diploma in Orthodontics requires completion of the clinical and didactic requirements associated with the diploma program in the Faculty of Dentistry, successful completion of the PhD in Craniofacial Science course requirements, and successful defense and submission of the thesis to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. In this program option, the degree and the diploma are awarded conjointly and both must be completed to graduate. The combined program will require a minimum of six years to prepare the student for clinical practice and a research career. Graduates will be eligible to take the examinations for specialty certification in orthodontics offered by The Royal College of Dentists of Canada and The American Board of Orthodontics.
Preference may be given to applicants who have already graduated from dental school and have some clinical, research, and teaching experience.
Applications will be managed through the Match Program and applicants register for the Match via the online registration portal shared by the Match and the ADEA Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS). The registration portal can be accessed from the Match web site, or directly at https://portal.passweb.org. Applicants must adhere to the schedule of dates provided through the Match website www.natmatch.com/dentres.
The deadline for fully documented applications is September 1 for entry the following September.
Program Course Requirements
Combined PhD/Diploma Program Course Requirements
Year 1
| DENT 524 - Craniofacial Growth and Development |
| DENT 540 - Research Methods& Seminars in Oral Biology |
| DENT 543 - Advanced Occlusion and Articulation |
| DENT 565 - Biomechanics of Craniofacial Orthopedics & Orthodontics I |
| DENT 567 - Orthodontic and Craniofacial Orthopedic Patient Care I |
| DENT 649 - Doctoral Dissertation |
| DENT 756 - Oral Radiology |
| DENT 771 - Orthodontic and Dentofacial Orthopedic Clinics I |
| DENT 774B - Interdisciplinary Care in Orthodontics & DentofacialOrthopedics I |
Year 2
| DENT 649 - Doctoral Dissertation |
| DENT 771 - Orthodontic and Dentofacial Orthopedic Clinics I |
Year 3
| DENT 649 - Doctoral Dissertation |
| DENT 771 - Orthodontic and Dentofacial Orthopedic Clinics I |
Year 4
| DENT 649 - Doctoral Dissertation |
| DENT 771 - Orthodontic and Dentofacial Orthopedic Clinics I |
Year 5
| DENT 566 - Biomechanics of Craniofacial Orthopedics and Orthodontics II | DENT 772 - Orthodontic and Dentofacial Orthopedic Clinics II |
| DENT 568 - Orthodontic and Craniofacial Patient Care II | DENT 775B - Interdisciplinary Care in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics II |
| DENT 649 - Doctoral Dissertation |
Year 6
| DENT 569 - Orthodontics and Craniofacial Orthopedic Patient Care III | DENT 773 - Orthodontic and Dentofacial Orthopedic Clnics III |
| DENT 649 - Doctoral Dissertation | DENT 776B - Interdisciplinary Care in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics III |
Please note: courses are subject to change.
Application without a Master's degree
Students entering directly without a Master's degree must, during the first year of study, complete 12 credits with a first class average of which at least nine credits must be at the 500-level or above and at least nine credits must be no less than 'A-' (at UBC, 80%), to maintain registration as a doctoral student.
Admission to Candidacy
The basic requirements for a doctoral student to be advanced to candidacy are:
- All required coursework has been successfully completed at the minimum grade
- The comprehensive examination has been passed:
Guidelines for Comprehensive Examination (PDF) - The research supervisor has certified that the thesis proposal has been approved by the Supervisory Committee.
Thesis Requirements
PhD thesis preparation and submission follow present guidelines set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies: www.grad.ubc.ca/students/thesis
Tuition
- Projected Tuition and Clinic Fee Costs for PhD/Diploma in Orthodontics - Domestic (PDF)
- Projected Tuition and Clinic Fee Costs for PhD/Diploma in Orthodontics - International (PDF)
Financial Assistance
Limited financial assistance in the form of Fellowships and Assistantships is available on a competitive basis for graduate students enrolled in degree programs. For further information, please see the Faculty of Graduate Studies website at www.grad.ubc.ca/awards.
Admission Requirements
All Clinical Programs - Important Info for Applicants
- Information for Prospective Clinical Students in the UBC Faculty of Dentistry
- Policy Statement on Infectious Diseases for All Clinical Programs
Applicants to graduate programs in the Faculty of Dentistry must hold a DMD or its equivalent from a recognized university and satisfy the minimum requirements for admission by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Faculty of Dentistry. Please note that until we receive an application form we are not in a position to evaluate credentials.
Academic Requirements
Canadian or U.S. Credentials
Applicants with Canadian or US credentials must have a minimum average equivalent to a UBC B+ (76%) in third- and fourth-year senior level courses.
International Credentials
International applicants must have a minimum overall average equivalent to a UBC B+ (76%). Applicants should have academic backgrounds within the general requirements listed by country on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.
GRE Although the GRE is not a requirement, applicants holding a GRE score are encouraged to submit.
English Proficiency Requirements
Applicants who received their qualifying degree from a country in which English is not the primary language must present evidence of proficiency in English. One of the following tests of English proficiency is acceptable:
TOEFL
The minimum TOEFL score required is 580 paper-based or 93 internet-based, taken within twenty-four (24) months prior to the time of submission of the application. TOEFL score sheets must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Centre in sealed and official envelopes. Photocopies of test scores are not acceptable.
IELTS
A minimum overall band score of 7.0 is required with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component of the academic (not general) IELTS test. IELTS score sheets must be sent directly from source in sealed and official envelopes. Photocopies of test score are not acceptable.
PLEASE NOTE: Given that the number of applicants exceeds the number of positions available, a record that satisfies the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Preference for admission to clinical specialty programs may be given to applicants who have already graduated from dental school and have some clinical, research, and teaching experience.
Application Process
Application Form and Fee
Applications have been completed for the program commencing in 2012. Applications to the 2013 program are expected to be opened by May 2012. Please see graduate program descriptions for application deadlines.
Applicants are advised to apply using the online application system. The online application requires credit card payment via Visa or MasterCard, or debit card payment from bank accounts at Scotiabank, Royal Bank, or TD Canada Trust. The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable and is required for each graduate program applied to per year.
Domestic Application Fee: $90 CDN subject to change without notice
International Application Fee: $250 CDN subject to change without notice
Reference Letters
Three (3) references are required with the application. Referees must be individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications. A referee may be academic, professional, or personal. There are two possible formats for references, either electronic or paper letter:
Electronic Reference Format:
The online application system requires you provide each referee's name, address, and email address. Should you choose to include this, an electronic reference form will be securely sent to the referee which they may fill out and submit directly to our graduate office. Please note that we are unable to accept email addresses from Hotmail, Yahoo, GMail, or other free email accounts. References received from non-institutional email addresses will not be accepted.
Paper Letter Reference Format:
A referee may prefer to send a paper letter. Paper letters of reference must be mailed directly to the Admissions Office, Faculty of Dentistry in sealed and endorsed official envelopes.
Required Application Documentation
Fully documented applications must be received by the graduate office by the application deadline. Early submission of the application and supporting documentation is strongly encouraged to ensure all requirements are met.
Along with the application form and fee, a fully documented application must include:
- Two (2) official copies of university transcripts from all colleges and universities attended sent from source in sealed and endorsed envelopes (except UBC transcripts).
- Two (2) official copies of the degree certificate if the official transcript does not indicate the degree received and degree conferral date.
- If university transcripts and degree certificates are issued in a language other than English, a literal English translation of two (2) sets of official transcripts (and degree certificates if necessary) must be obtained from the issuing University’s translation service. Send both the original language and literal English translation transcripts in sealed envelopes endorsed by the issuing university.
- A TOEFL or IELTS score sheet taken within twenty-four (24) months prior to the time of submission of the application if the qualifying degree was received from a country in which English is not the primary language.
- Three (3) references in either the electronic reference format or sealed and endorsed paper letter format.
- After submitting documents please allow one - two weeks for received items to appear on your online checklist due to the high volume of mail and inquiries we receive during the admission period.
Send all application documentation to:
Admissions Office, Graduate Programs
UBC Faculty of Dentistry
2199 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Canada
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying
Can I apply with an international degree?
Yes, provided you meet the minimum requirements, both international and domestic applicants are weighted equally in the pool of applicants.
Are there any additional examinations or pre-requisites required?
Other than those listed above, there are no additional examinations or pre-requisites required.
Am I required to have to have found a supervisor prior to applying?
Applicants are not required to have found a supervisor prior to applying.
Can I apply after the application deadline?
Online applications will close after the application deadline and only fully documented applications received by the deadline will be considered for admission. We will keep any application documentation on file for consideration should you choose to apply for the next available intake. Please note that reference letters and English proficiency score sheets are only valid for 24 months.
Can I apply to the PhD stream with an undergraduate degree?
Yes, provided you also meet the minimum requirements specified by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Please note that you may not transfer from the PhD track to the MSc track once accepted to the PhD program; however you may transfer from the MSc track to the PhD track with Faculty approval and after meeting the minimum requirements.
Can I apply to both the MSc and PhD streams?
Yes, you may apply for both with two separate applications and two application fees. Please note that you may not transfer from the PhD track to the MSc track once accepted to the PhD program; however you may transfer from the MSc track to the PhD track with Faculty approval and after meeting the minimum requirements.
Application Documentation
It is difficult to get university transcripts from my country, do you accept other copies?
As per the Faculty of Graduate Studies, we must receive copies of official transcripts and degree certificates if required in sealed and endorsed envelopes direct from the issuing university.
Will you offer conditional acceptance or extensions if I cannot send documents before the application deadline?
At this time we do not offer conditional acceptance or extensions. We do encourage applicants to consider applying for the following year should they be in a position to not meet the application deadline or requirements.
My transcripts are in French from a Canadian University, do you require English translations?
We will accept French language transcripts from a Canadian University.
What do I need to send if my transcript does not include grades?
If transcripts are issued without grades, you must request a ranking letter from the Faculty Dean’s Office. Along with copies of the original transcripts, the ranking letter must be sent in a sealed and endorsed envelope from the issuing university.
What if my university only issues one copy of transcripts?
You must make photocopies of your original academic records and have the issuing university verify the photocopies are consistent with their records, stamp them with an official university stamp or seal, and have the original and photocopy sent in sealed and endorsed envelopes.
What if my university does not issue English translations of university transcripts or degree certificates?
Take a photocopy of your transcripts and degree certificates if required to a certified English translator and have them provide a complete, word-for-word, literal English translation. Ensure they include the information on the reverse side of the documents. Once you receive the translations, the documents must be returned to the university, stamped as true copies by the university. These documents and translations must be received in sealed and endorsed official university envelope(s).
Contact
If you have further questions about our programs, please contact us at the following address:
Mrs. Jackie Lee, Assistant Manager
Admissions
UBC Faculty of Dentistry
2199 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Canada
Tel: 604.822.4486
fodadms@dentistry.ubc.ca
