Required Application Courses

• Applicants must be TSI complete before applying to the program.
• A grade of C or higher is required in each course.
• Courses completed outside of Amarillo College must be evaluated by the Registrar's Office.
  • NOTE: Approval of a course for transfer credit does not automatically confirm that it meets a specific Dental Hygiene application requirement.

Applicants must complete the following five courses before the application deadline:

• BIOL 2401: Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIOL 2402: Anatomy and Physiology II
• BIOL 2420: Microbiology for Non-Science Majors
• CHEM 1405: Introductory Chemistry I
• HITT 1205: Medical Terminology I

Course Repeat Policy

Each required application course may be repeated only once.
If a course is repeated, the highest grade earned will be used in the admission scoring process.

General Education Courses

The following general education courses are part of the Dental Hygiene degree plan but do not earn admission points:

• ENGL 1301: Composition I 
• SOCI 1301: Introduction to Sociology 
• PSYC 2301: General Psychology 
• SPCH 1318: Speech 
• PHIL 2306: Introduction to Ethics 
• EDUC 1100: First-Year Seminar

Although these general education courses do not contribute points toward the application, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete them before beginning the Dental Hygiene Program. These courses may also be completed according to the approved Dental Hygiene Program Map (pdf). The current program map places these general education courses throughout the five-semester curriculum. Students should consider how completing general education courses early could affect their semester credit load and financial-aid eligibility.

• Required Application Courses, General Education Courses, Course Repeat Policy, Course Substitutions, and Transfer Credit (pdf)
• Program Structure by Semester (pdf)

Admission Point System

AC Dental Hygiene Point System (pdf)

AC Dental Hygiene Application Scoring and Selection Process (pdf)

Required Application Course Points

Admission points for required application courses are awarded based on the final grade earned in each of the five courses.

TEAS 7 Examination Points

TEAS scores are accepted only if the exam was taken within the 12 months preceding the application deadline. Applicants are permitted only one TEAS attempt per admission cycle.  

Minimum Score: 65% 

The TEAS includes four scored areas:

• Science 
• Reading 
• Mathematics 
• English and Language Usage 

Applicants may earn up to 26 admission points based on their section scores. 

Applicants may earn admission points based on their performance in each TEAS content area. Points are awarded according to the following scale: 

TEAS 7 Science

• 85% and above = 9 points
• 75–84.9% = 6 points
• 65–74.9% = 3 points
• Below 65% = 0 points

Maximum Science Points: 9

TEAS 7 Reading

• 90% and above = 6 points
• 80–89.9% = 4 points
• 70–79.9% = 2 points
• Below 70% = 0 points

Maximum Reading Points: 6

TEAS 7 Math

• 90% and above = 5 points
• 80–89.9% = 4 points
• 70–79.9% = 2 points
• Below 70% = 0 points

Maximum Math Points: 5

TEAS 7 English & Language Usage (ELU)

• 90% and above = 6 points
• 80–89.9% = 4 points
• 70–79.9% = 2 points
• Below 70% = 0 points

Maximum ELU Points: 6

Maximum Total TEAS Points: 26 points

Additional Admission Points

Applicants may earn up to 7 additional admission points.

Additional points may be awarded for attendance at a Dental Hygiene Program Information Session, a previously earned associate degree or higher, verified alternate-candidate status within the past five years, and completion of 16 hours of dental hygiene observation.

Dental Hygiene Program Information Session (Optional)– 1 point

During the Dental Hygiene Program Information Session, prospective students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the program and its requirements. The session will provide information regarding program expectations, the time commitment required of students, applicable fees and required expenses, and the qualities and preparation necessary for success in the program.  
You will earn one additional point on your application just for attending the session.

Information Session Dates

All sessions will be held from 9:00–11:00 a.m.

• December 1, 2026 
• January 25, 2027 
• February 9, 2027 
• March 9, 2027 

Location:

6222 SW. 9th Avenue
Amarillo, TX 79106
Amarillo College West Campus
Jones Hall, 1st Floor (3-story building)
* Note: When you arrive, please come in through the dental entry doors, and we will direct you to the meeting room.

Dental Hygiene Observation Hours (Optional) – 2 points

To earn two additional admission points, you must complete two full days of dental hygiene observation in one or more dental offices (16 total hours). 

Submission Requirements

The completed Observation Verification Form must be submitted before the application deadline to earn the additional points.
Email the form to:
Jordane Burke, RDH, Administrative Assistant, Dental Hygiene Program at j0479978@actx.edu 

• Observation hours are valid for three years.
• Observation hours cannot be completed in an office where the applicant is employed.

Observation Forms

Applicants must follow the official instructions and use the required verification form.

• Observation Verification Form (pdf)
• Applicant Observation Instruction Sheet (pdf)
• Observation Offices List (pdf)

Note: The dental offices listed are provided as recommended options for completing observation hours. Observation hours may also be fulfilled at other dental offices that align with the program’s requirements.

Previous Degree Earned - 2 points

Applicants who have earned an associate degree or higher may receive two additional points. The degree must appear on an official transcript received and evaluated by Amarillo College.

Verified Alternate Candidate - 2 points

Applicants who received official alternate-candidate status from the Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Program within the past five years may receive two points. The program will verify eligibility.

Before You Apply

Before beginning the Dental Hygiene application process, applicants must:

• Apply for General Admission to Amarillo College and receive an AC Student ID #.
  • Confirm active student status. Students who have not attended Amarillo College within the past 12 months may need to reactivate or submit a new college application.
• Submit official transcripts from other colleges to the Amarillo College Registrar’s Office. 
  • It is the applicant’s responsibility to allow enough time for transfer courses to be received, evaluated, and added to the Amarillo College record before the application deadline. If transfer coursework has not been evaluated by the deadline, the application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.  Submit transcripts well before the deadline.
  • Amarillo College - Transfer Students
• Meet with the Health Sciences advisor or assigned success coach.
• Review the five required application courses that must be completed before applying to the Dental Hygiene Program, and review the Dental Hygiene Program Point System. 
• Complete the Health Sciences Application BlackBoard Organization Course and Quiz
  • You must complete the Health Sciences Application Process Video and Quiz that follows with a 100% pass before you can take the TEAS Exam and submit a program application.  Students who fail to complete these steps will not be considered for admission. To be added to the BlackBoard Organization, please contact Sherika Scotland at sscotland@actx.edu. 
  • Amarillo College Health Sciences Application Process
• Review the program length, schedule, time commitment, technical standards, and estimated expenses. 
  • Program Length, Schedule, and Time Commitment
  • Technical Standards (pdf)
  • Program Costs and Financial Planning
• Begin preparing for the TEAS early. 
  • ATI TEAS SmartPrep + App Package
  • ATI TEAS Mobile App

Register for and Complete the ATI TEAS Version 7 Examination

All Health Sciences programs at Amarillo College use the ATI TEAS Version 7 examination as part of the applicant ranking and admission process. Applicants are encouraged to register for the exam and complete it early, as testing dates and available seating may be limited. The TEAS examination may be completed in person at an approved testing location or remotely through ATI.

TEAS Requirements

• Required Examination: ATI TEAS Version 7
• Minimum Composite Score: 65%
  • TEAS content-area scores will not be rounded.
• Attempts Allowed: One attempt per admission cycle
  • Only TEAS scores from the current application cycle will be considered. Scores from previous application cycles will not be accepted.

>>> Important Deadline: The final date to complete the TEAS examination is March 17, 2027.

On-Campus Testing — $87

When registering for an on-campus examination:

1. Select “Proctored by an Institution – Register.”
2. Select the program type “TEAS for Allied Health.”
3. Search by school name and select TX – Amarillo, Hereford, or Dumas.
4. Select the desired testing date.

Remote Testing Through ATI — $120

The remote TEAS examination provides the same test content and format as the in-person examination and is administered through ATI with remote proctoring.
When registering for a remote examination:

1. Select the desired testing date.
2. Select “ATI Remote Proctor – Allied Health.”
3. Select “Proctored by ATI – Register.”
4. Designate Amarillo College as the transcript recipient.

For questions regarding TEAS testing, please contact the West Campus Testing Center at (806) 354-6052.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure that Amarillo College receives your official TEAS transcript before the deadline if you do not test in person at the Amarillo College campus. 

TEAS Preparation Resources

ATI recommends allowing several weeks to prepare for the examination. Applicants are responsible for reviewing the examination requirements and utilizing available preparation resources before testing.
ATI TEAS Exam | TEAS Prep | TEAS Registration | ATI 

Submit Your Health Science Application

The application process opens January 19, 2027, at 9:00 a.m. and closes March 25, 2027, at noon.  You will be able to submit your health science application upon completion of the Health Sciences Application Process Video and Quiz in the BlackBoard Organization. Applicants should not assume that starting the process means the application has been submitted.
After submitting the application:

• Save the submission confirmation. 
• Check your Amarillo College email regularly. 
• Respond promptly to requests for missing information. 
• Keep copies of all submitted forms and documents. 
• Confirm that official transcripts and TEAS scores have been received. 

NOTE: Check to Ensure All Steps Have Been Completed and Monitor Amarillo College Email Throughout the Admissions Process.

Selection and Notification

The Dental Hygiene Program accepts 24 students each year. After the application deadline, the Admissions Committee reviews completed applications and verifies each applicant’s total score.
Qualified applicants are ranked from highest to lowest according to their total admission points. The highest-ranking applicants receive offers of admission. 

Notification timeline

• Admission notifications will be sent to Amarillo College email accounts on March 29, 2027. 
• Accepted applicants must respond by March 31, 2027. 
• Failure to respond by the deadline may result in loss of the offered position. 

Applicants should continue checking their Amarillo College email after submitting the application. The program will use AC email for official communication.

Applicants who receive an offer will receive instructions about:

• Accepting or declining the position 
• Mandatory orientation 
• Criminal background screening 
• Drug testing 
• Immunizations and health documentation 
• Registration 
• Other pre-enrollment requirements 

NOTE: Applicants should not begin background screening, drug testing, or other compliance activities until they receive official instructions from the program.

Tie-Breaking Procedure

When two or more qualified applicants have the same total admission score, the applicant with the higher TEAS composite score will receive the higher ranking. This procedure will be applied consistently to all tied applicants within the application cycle.

Alternate Candidate Notification

Applicants selected as alternates will be notified through their Amarillo College email. Alternates will be ranked according to their total admission score and may be offered a position if an accepted applicant declines or does not meet enrollment requirements. An alternate offer is not guaranteed. Applicants who receive an offer must respond by the deadline stated in the notification.

Incomplete Application Policy

Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application and verifying that all requirements have been met before the deadline.
An application may be considered incomplete when any required item is missing, including:

• A required application course 
• A final course grade 
• An official transcript 
• A completed transfer evaluation 
• A required TEAS score 
• The online application or required application steps 

Applications that remain incomplete at the deadline will not be reviewed or ranked. Documents submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
Applicants should review their records and application status carefully before final submission.

Application Documents

• Program Map 
• Program Structure by Semester
• Program Length, Schedule, and Time Commitment
• Technical Standards 
• Accreditation and Licensure 
• Estimated Program Costs
• Required Application Courses, General Education Courses, Course Repeat Policy, Course Substitutions, and Transfer Credit 
• 2027 Dental Hygiene Program Point System 
• Application Scoring and Selection Process 
• Observation Instructions 
• Observation Verification Form 
• Recommended Observation Sites

Contacts

Dental Hygiene Administrative Assistant
Jordane Burke, RDH
Phone: 806-356-3673
Email: j0479978@actx.edu 

Health Sciences Advisor
Leslie McCaslin
Phone: 806-371-5352
Email: l0054776@actx.edu