Health Sciences, A.A.S. - Dental Assisting

Degree: Associated of Applied Science
Major: Health Sciences
Concentration: Dental Assisting

For more information, contact the Health Sciences division at 615-230-3330.

The College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree as a career ladder for persons who have successfully completed their program of study in Dental Assisting. A total of 36 hours from the certificate may be applied to the required degree hours.  This degree is designed to assist Health Sciences workers with their general and continuing education.  For more information, refer to the Health Sciences Associate of Applied Science Degrees section in the catalog. Specific core credits may be earned by current enrollment in appropriate health sciences courses.  In addition to the 15 credit hours of General Education core courses currently required for an A.A.S degree, students will complete three required courses and two elective courses from those listed in the institution’s catalog.

The Dental Assisting Technical Certificate is embedded within the Associate of Applied Science in Health Sciences, Dental Assisting concentration.  Courses in this certificate may be used to award this concentration.

All students graduating with a degree from VSCC are required to take the E-Proficiency Profile (EPP) to meet graduation requirements. More information can be found at https://www.volstate.edu/graduation/exit-exams.

Program​ Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the graduate will have developed the skills, knowledge, and abilities to accomplish the following:

  1. Students will demonstrate the basic skills to be a competent dental assistant.

  2. Students will define the terminology unique to dental assisting. 

  3. Students will illustrate comprehension of professional, ethical standards for dental assisting. 

  4. Students will apply and demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills within the parameters of dental assisting.

CIP Code: (31) 51.9999.01

General Education Requirements - Credits (15 - 17)


Professional Core Course Requirements - Credits (15)


Total Degree Requirements - Credits (60-62)


Recommended Schedule


Students should follow the recommended schedules for the technical certificate and work with their advisor to schedule the remaining required courses.

DegreeWorks, along with the correct catalog, should be utilized by students for all of their educational planning.  Students can monitor their progress toward a degree or certificate and view missing requirements with the DegreeWorks audit, which is accessible through My Volstate.