Graduate Program in Orthodontics

The entire program consists of a minimum of 70 credit hours of clinical and didactic coursework. Each week of the curriculum includes approximately three and a half days of patient treatment in the clinic. Each graduate student will start approximately 55 new cases from patients. This way, each graduate student has the opportunity to treat a variety of orthodontic problems and cover a wide range of treatment methods. The remaining one and a half days are dedicated to didactic instruction, seminars, and research. 

As part of graduate orthodontic education, students are required to complete a research project that involves a critical review of the literature, development of a hypothesis, study design, statistical analysis, and data interpretation. Participating in research cultivates critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the specialty. 

The curriculum incorporates Advanced Craniofacial Growth and Development, Biomechanics and Tooth Movement, Orthodontic Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, Hands-on experience with digital orthodontics (3D imaging, CAD/CAM, aligners), and more. 

• Graduate with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) – 4 years. 
• Pass the INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination) to qualify for licensure and specialty programs. 
• Apply to the National Matching Services (see details below).
• Must apply through ADEA PASS (Postdoctoral Application Support Service) (see details below).

National Matching Serivces

The University of Oklahoma Graduate Orthodontic Program participates in the National Matching Service (NMS). All applicants, including both domestic and international candidates, are required to register with the Match.  https://natmatch.com/dentres/

The deadline for submission of all application materials to the OU Orthodontics Department is September 1 of the year preceding matriculation. From a highly competitive applicant pool of more than 250 candidates, approximately 36 applicants are selected for interviews, which are typically conducted in late October or early November. Four residency positions are filled annually through the Match process.

ADEA PASS

All applications to the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, Graduate Program in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, are processed through the ADEA Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS).  https://www.adea.org/home/application-services/apply-to-advanced-programs/adea-pass-applicants

Minimum requirements for consideration include the following:

• Applicants should be in good academic and professional standing.
• Applicants should demonstrate proficiency in English.
• Applicants should be currently enrolled in, or have graduated from, an accredited U.S. or Canadian dental school.
• Applicants should have successfully completed National Board Dental Examination Part I or the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE). Applicants planning to take the INBDE during the fall application cycle, after the application deadline, remain eligible to apply.
• Applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States or provide evidence of equivalent educational preparation from an international institution.
• The GRE is not required; however, if taken, please provide the scores.

Applicants should not apply to the University of Oklahoma Graduate College unless they have been formally selected for acceptance into the program.

Application Deadline: September 1, 2026.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

Candidates with dental degrees from institutions not accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) are considered international applicants and may be eligible for admission.

International candidates must apply through the Match. If matched, candidates will have the option to accept the position. The program accepts international students on a periodic basis, typically every three years. International students are responsible for paying out-of-state tuition.

All standard application requirements apply to international applicants, with the following exceptions:

• TOEFL: Required for applicants from countries where English is not the primary language. Minimum scores are 95 (internet-based) or 5 or higher (new 1 - 6 scale). 
• National Board Scores: Preferred but not required at the time of the application.
• Transcripts: If an applicanet submits an enrollment verification or class schedule, an official transcript must be sent to the Office of Admissions and Records once final grades are posted.
• Credential Evaluation: Applicants with academic credentials from outside the United States must obtain a course-by-course evaluation through World Education Services (WES). The Office of Admissions and Records only accepts WES evaluations. More information is available at World Education Services (WES).
• GRE: The GRE is not required; however, applicants are encouraged to submit scores if available.