The D.M.D./Ph.D. program s designed for students who want to pursue careers in dental academics and uses an integrated clinician scientist training program to provide in-depth academic and research opportunities. Students in this specialized program apply credits earned in dental and graduate school towards earning both a D.M.D. degree and a Ph.D. degree in biomedical science. Program duration is expected to be 8 years; however, students with strong prior research experience have completed the program in 7 years.
Financial Support
Students pursuing basic or clinical research are eligible for funding through the School of Dentistry’s Dental Academic Research Training (DART) Program.
| D.M.D. | Ph.D. | Funding Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apply to: | Dental School | Graduate School | |
| Applications Due: | July - November | July - November | |
| Class Begins | July | August | |
| Year 1 | - | Core Courses/Lab Rotations | Graduate School |
| Year 2 | - | Research & Advanced Topics Apply for candidacy |
DART |
| Year 3 | - | Research & Advanced Topics Apply for NIH Individual Fellowship (F) grant* |
DART |
| Year 4 | D1 50% dental classes | 50% research | DART |
| Year 5 | D1 75% dental classes | 25% Research - final thesis | NIH Individual Fellowship |
| Year 6 | D2 100% | - | NIH Individual Fellowship |
| Year 7 | D3 100% | - | NIH Individual Fellowship |
| Year 8 | D4 100% | - | Student responsible for funding |
*Students who are not awarded an NIH F grant will be responsible for paying tuition and fees.
How to Apply
Separate applications are required to the UAB School of Dentistry and the UAB Graduate School. UAB School of Dentistry participates in the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). Students should initiate AADSAS applications as early as possible.
To apply to the program, applicants must:
- Contact UAB School of Dentistry indicating intent to apply for the D.M.D./Ph.D. program
- Submit a formal application to the UAB School of Dentistry through AADSAS as early as possible
- Submit an online application to the UAB Graduate School through one of the Biomedical Sciences Interdisciplinary Themes, Engineering (Biomedical or Materials) Public Health or other graduate programs
- Have successfully taken the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT)
- Have completed all prerequisite courses for both dental and graduate school admissions
- Have prior hands-on research experience
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (Green Card holder)
Note: Separate applications are required to the UAB School of Dentistry and the UAB Graduate School. UAB School of Dentistry participates in the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). Students should initiate AADSAS applications as early as possible.
Applicants under consideration will be requested to file a supplemental D.M.D./Ph.D. application. Applicants who qualify for admission will be invited for a personal interview with the Admissions Committee.
Candidates will be evaluated based on their academic record, DAT scores, research accomplishments, publications, commitment to a research dental academic career, character, and personality traits indicating potential for success in a D.M.D./Ph.D. program.
Application Inquiries
Interested students need to contact UAB School of Dentistry admissions at (205) 934-3387 or by email at