Do I Need A Bachelor’s Degree to Teach?

Whether it was a professor who inspired you or you’ve always had a passion for higher education, dental hygienists have much to offer the next generation of clinicians. But what steps should you take if you’re considering a career in academia? Here is some advice from dental hygienists who are devoting their careers to educating the next generation of dental hygienists.

“With a baccalaureate degree, you are eligible to teach in a community college dental hygiene program. I would also ask a mentor at your college to help you locate available positions. If you hope to someday teach at the college or university level, a master’s or doctoral degree is necessary.”

—Jacquelyn L. Fried, RDH, MS

Associate professor, Dean’s Faculty, in the Department of Dental Hygiene at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in Baltimore, and a Dimensions of Dental Hygiene “Six Dental Hygienists You Want to Know” for Academic in December 2012. She is also a member of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene’s Editorial Advisory Board.

“You will not regret earning a bachelor’s degree! It does open more doors to careers beyond clinical dental hygiene. Most importantly, it will lay the foundation for working on a master’s degree. A master’s degree is necessary whether you opt for education or public health … or both. And don’t rule out a doctorate!”

—Alice M. Horowitz, RDH, MA, PhD

Research associate professor in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health, School of Public Health at the University of Maryland in College Park, and a Dimensions of Dental Hygiene “Six Dental Hygienists You Want to Know” for Research in December 2018