Orthodontics
Advanced Specialty Certificate Program
The 33-month program in orthodontics is administered in conjunction with the USC Graduate School. The Orthodontics Program leads to a Master of Science degree in craniofacial biology and a certificate in orthodontics. The program can also lead to a PhD track if desired.
The orthodontics curriculum prepares students for academic careers as clinical scholars through the integration of the basic sciences with orthodontic education, as well as providing the clinical experience necessary to practice orthodontics.
Application Deadlines
PASS deadline: October 2
How to Apply
The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC uses theAmerican Dental Education Association’s Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) centralized application for its specialty certificate programs. Supplemental materials are not to be sent to the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry.
In addition to the PASS, all Orthodontics Program applicants must submit a non-refundable processing fee of $85 ($145 for international applicants) online or by mail.
To pay online, visit our Online Payment Portal. An email confirmation will be sent once payment is submitted.
USC will also accept personal check, cashier check, or money order made payable to USC School of Dentistry. Please include your PASS ID number on the check or money order and mail to:
USC School of Dentistry
925 W. 34th Street, DEN 201
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0641
This program also uses the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (Match) to help place residents.
Cost of Attendance
This program does not provide a stipend.
Estimated cost of attendance for 2017-2018
| Direct Costs | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
| Tuition | $76,264 | $91,055 | $91,055 | |
| Instrument Management System Fee | $765 | $915 | $915 | |
| Dental Equipment | Please contact your department | |||
| Health Insurance | $1,712 | $1,712 | $1,712 | |
| Health Fee | $819 | $919 | $919 | |
| Disability Insurance | $55 | $55 | $55 | |
| Topping Student Aid Fund | $16 | $16 | $16 | |
| Student Programming Fee | $80 | $80 | $80 | |
| Student Service Fee | $28 | $28 | $28 | |
| Total Direct Costs | $79,739 | $94,780 | $94,780 | |
| Allowances for Indirect Cost | ||||
| Room & Board | $18,330 | $22,272 | $22,272 | |
| Transportation | $2,880 | $2,532 | $2,532 | |
| Personal/Miscellaneous | $2,110 | $3,456 | $3,456 | |
| Estimated Cost of Attendance | $103,059 | $123,040 | $123,040 | |
U.S. Department of Education Disclosure
For certificate programs that meet federal Title IV eligibility, USC is required by the U.S. Department of Education to disclose certain Gainful Employment (GE) information. The following Gainful Employment Disclosure Template link provides information regarding related jobs, cost, loan debt and completion rate for the program:
www.usc.edu/admission/fa/applying_receiving/certificates/orthodontics/Gedt.html
Financial Aid
Click here to learn more about financial aid options or click here for information on how to inform the Financial Aid Office of any changes in circumstance that might affect your eligibility.
Health Requirements
Please note that all matriculating students must comply with the university’s health requirements.