An LMU-CDM student who has fulfilled all the academic requirements may be granted the degree Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene provided the student has:
- Complied with all the curricular, legal, and financial requirements of LMU-CDM;
- Successfully completed all coursework requirements in no more than two years for Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene, and four years for the Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry program unless an extension is approved by the Office of Academic Affairs.
- Successfully complete any CBDE Clinical Practice rotations prescribed by clinical affairs, as described in the CBDE Student Manual, and also completeany other Fall or Spring rotation(s) that they commit to pursue after selection or match and confirmed by signature during the first twelve weeks of their D4 year.
- Attended, in person, the ceremony at which time the degree is conferred unless an exception is approved by the Dean of the CDM;
- Taken and passed the INBDE or NBDHE;
- Demonstrated the ethical, personal, and professional qualities deemed necessary for the successful and continued study and practice of dental medicine and dental hygiene.
- Successfully completed and submitted the ADEA Senior Survey for the respective year of graduation.
- An exit interview to discuss feedback and program assessment.
- Forwarding address and contact information
- Key Office signature required include: Financial Aid, Students Accounts, Office of Clinical Affairs, Registrar’s office, Student Services, and any other necessary signatures.
Students whose graduation date is delayed will be allowed to participate in commencement with the incoming class if they have passed the INBDE or the NBDHE and will complete their rotations and all other graduation requirements before the end of the following semester.
ADEA Senior Survey
All fourth-year dental students are required to complete the ADEA Senior Survey as part of their graduation requirements. Administered annually by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), this national survey gathers critical data from graduating predoctoral dental students across the United States. The survey is designed to provide insight into a wide range of topics, including students’ motivations for choosing dentistry as a career, their academic and clinical educational experiences, financial obligations such as educational debt, and their immediate post-graduation plans, including private practice, advanced education programs (such as AEGD or GPR), military service, public health, or other career paths.
Each student will receive an individualized email from ADEA containing a secure link to the survey. Students must complete the survey in full by the stated deadline and provide proof of completion to the Office of Academic Affairs, as instructed.
Student Consultation
LMU-CDM maintains an open-door policy regarding CDM students. All faculty, advisors, and administrators are available for advice and student support. The input and opinions of the dental and dental hygiene students are important. As stated previously, there will be regular meetings with the faculty advisor; however, the student may meet with his/her advisor on an ad hoc basis. Appointments are recommended but not required.
Appointments should be scheduled via email to the faculty member or the faculty’s administrative assistant. Any student who feels that they have a question or request that has not been addressed should see the Dean or Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and/or Dean of Clinical Affairs
Posthumous Degree
Upon the recommendation of the faculty, the LMU Board of Trustees may confer a posthumous degree the student was pursuing if all requirements were likely to have been completed during the final year for which the student was registered had it not been for the intervention of death.