Admissions Information
When to Apply
NEW: The application window has been changed to October 1 to February 1 each year. Some of the document deadlines have been adjusted accordingly.
Applications Open: Oct. 1, 2026
Application Deadline: Feb. 1, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. MT
Steps to Apply
Status in Canada
Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. This program does not accept individuals on student visas.
Meet the Requirements
All required courses must be complete or in progress at the time of application.
Submit an Application
By the deadline, submit an undergraduate application with the application fee (Current or previous U of A students: $100; Non-U of A applicants: $150)
Applicant Types
Admission average calculations and document deadlines are different based on applicant type.
High School Applicants
These applicants are:
- Currently attending or have completed high school, AND
- Have not taken any post-secondary courses after graduation
Post-secondary Transfer Applicants
These applicants have either:
- Taken one or more post-secondary courses, OR
- Completed a degree
Indigenous Applicants
All qualified Indigenous applicants who are successful in the Indigenous admissions process will be recommended by the Indigenous admissions subcommittee for admission.
Contact
wihpadmin@ualberta.ca
780-492-2209
Requirements
Courses
Applicants must have the following courses completed or in progress at the time of application.
High School
A minimum grade of 65% in each of the following subjects:
- English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
- Two of the following:
- Biology 30
- Chemistry 30
- Science 30
- One of the following:
- Math 30-1
- Math 30-2
- Pure Math 30
- Applied Math 30
Attend high school outside of Alberta? Learn more about Provincial equivalents.
Post-secondary Substitutions
High school courses can be substituted with post-secondary equivalents, with a grade of C+ or above. The eligible courses are:
- English or writing (3 units)
- Biology (3 units)
- Chemistry (3 units)
- Any science (3 units)
- Mathematics or statistics (3 units)
Academic Average
High School Applicants
The high school average is calculated using the four required high school course subjects.
Post-secondary Transfer Applicants
Transfer applicants' academic average is dependent on the number of transferable post-secondary credits completed (see table).
The admission grade point average (AGPA) is calculated on all university transferable coursework completed in the most recent two terms of study if they contain a minimum of 24 units of course weight.
If those two terms contain less than 24 units of course weight, all work in the next most recent term(s) is included in the calculation until the minimum total of 24 units of course weight is reached.
For applicants who have attempted less than 24 units of transferable postsecondary work, the AGPA is based on all university or university transfer credits attempted.
| Amount of transferable post-secondary coursework |
Admissions Average calculation |
|---|---|
| 6 units or less | High school average |
| More than 6 units but less than 24 units | Based on both high school average and AGPA |
| 24 units or more | Based only on AGPA |
Required Documents
All required documents must be received by the appropriate deadline. Incomplete applications with late submissions will be closed.
Deadlines
High School Applicants
Applicants who fail to submit required documents by February 15 cannot be evaluated for interview selection.
| February 15 | Filled out Self-Declared High School Marks form with Grade 11 and 12 marks and registration | Uploaded to your UAlberta Launchpad |
|---|---|---|
| August 1 | Official high school transcript(s) | Requested on your behalf or sent directly to the U of A |
|
Proof of English language proficiency and spoken English proficiency, if applicable. More information |
Test results can be sent directly to the U of A or be uploaded to UAlberta Launchpad |
Post-secondary Applicants
Applicants who fail to submit required documents by February 15 cannot be evaluated for interview selection/admission.
| February 15 | Official high school transcript(s) | Requested on your behalf or sent directly to the U of A (see below) |
|---|---|---|
| Unofficial post-secondary transcript(s) with current academic year Fall term grades and Winter term registration | Uploaded to your UAlberta Launchpad | |
| June 15 | Official post-secondary transcript(s) with current academic year Fall and Winter grades | Requested on your behalf or sent directly to the U of A (see below) |
| Proof of English language proficiency and spoken English proficiency, if applicable. More information | Test results can be sent directly to the U of A or be uploaded to UAlberta Launchpad |
Transcripts
Alberta High School Students
Your transcripts will be sent to the university automatically through ApplyAlberta.
Out-of-province High School Students
You are responsible for ensuring that your final, official transcripts are sent to the university, or for authorizing your school or province to do so. Official transcripts will only be accepted if received directly from the issuing institution or ministry.
Post-secondary Students
If applicable, we may be able to obtain transcripts from certain participating ApplyAlberta institutions on your behalf. Please carefully review the status of your documents in UAlberta Launchpad. You are responsible for requesting any other transcripts and/or documents required in support of your application, as indicated in UAlberta Launchpad.
Final Official Transcripts Can Be Sent Via Email or Mail
Via email: transcripts@ualberta.ca
Via mail: University of Alberta
Office of the Registrar
3-294 University Commons
Edmonton, AB, Canada
T6G 2R3
Interviews
Competitive applicants will be interviewed to determine if they have the personal qualities necessary for the profession. The interview evaluates an applicant's maturity, motivation, initiative, ability to communicate, personal qualities and interests.
Shortlisted applicants will receive their interview invitation via email.
Interview Format
The interview format is the multiple mini interview (MMI). In this format, the interviewee will be exposed without interruption to a series of stations. At each station, the interviewee will be provided with a question/scenario and a brief period of time to read the question and prepare a response. Afterward, the interviewee will discuss the response with an interview panel before moving to the next station.
Interview Date
To be announced (May)
Admission Selection
Admission to the dental assisting certificate program is competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Enrollment is limited to 42 students per intake.*
Selection Factors
- Required courses
- Admission average
- Interview score
*To ensure a quality learning experience, program offerings are subject to minimum enrollment. Admitted students will be promptly notified of any changes.
Program Cost
| Tuition | $19,365 |
|---|---|
| Equipment and Instrumentation Rental | $3,090 |
| Books | $400 |
| Total (not including non-instructional fees) | $22,855 |
Note: Costs are estimates and subject to change. Fees are paid at the time of registration. Students are responsible for any additional costs associated with personal equipment, textbooks, and software.
Post-admission
An admission decision is valid only for the term for which the applicant applied. Admission offers can not be deferred.
Deposit
Upon notification of acceptance, applicants will be required to confirm their admission and intention to register by submitting a non-refundable tuition deposit of $500 within the time specified in the letter of acceptance. The deposit will be credited toward the payment of tuition upon completion of registration. Current or former U of A students are not required to pay this deposit.
Immunizations
Complete and fully documented immunization is a program requirement. The vaccination requirements are based on the Alberta provincial guidelines for health-care students in a post-secondary institution, and serology/immunization outside the guidelines is not routinely done or recommended. All immunization records need to be written and legible, and a certified translation must be provided for all non-English documentation. Students without acceptable records will be required to complete their primary immunization series, which can take several months; therefore, early action on this requirement is strongly advised.
More information can be found under the University Infectious Diseases Regulation.
Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector
A clear police information check (PIC) is required under the Protection for Persons in Care Act. All students attending any clinical placement or rotation in Alberta are required to complete a PIC (also known as a criminal record check, security clearance check, or police clearance), which must include a vulnerable sector check. The PIC must be dated within 90 days of the due date stated on the admission letter. The clinical practice site will ultimately determine the criteria for acceptance/denial of a placement.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR)
CPR is required for all students registered in the program. A CPR basic life support (BLS) Provider session will be organized by the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry for successful applicants. A CPR BLS provider certificate is valid for one year from the completion date of the course. Students must have a valid CPR certification throughout the duration of their program.
Licensure After Graduation
Possessing a dental assisting certificate does not automatically confer the right to practice dental assisting in any province of Canada. Each province has its own licensing authority, and graduates of the program desiring to practice in Canada should contact the appropriate provincial licensing body.
The registrar of a provincial licensing body may refuse to issue a registration certificate to practice dentistry to any applicant possessing a criminal record. If this is a concern for you, please contact the appropriate licensing body.
To practice in Alberta, a dental assistant must be registered with the College of Alberta Dental Assistants (CADA). Graduates are eligible to write the National Board Examination, which must be successfully completed to register with the CADA and practice in Alberta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applications for the two intakes are only available from the dates listed under the application process. When applications are open, start an undergraduate program application, not a professional program application. Under Term & Program First Choice, select the following:
- Intended status - Diploma/certificate student
- North campus (Edmonton)
- Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry
- Dental assisting certificate
If you are still having issues, please contact the Student Service Centre.
Admission is not determined until after applications are closed for the current intake. Seats are not filled in the order in which applications are received. All applicants are in open competition for the available seats.
No, the program is a full-time, 10-month program consisting of approximately 35 hours of instruction per week. The course schedule will vary each week. Classes may be scheduled anytime between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. from Monday to Friday (students will not be in classes for all 12 hours a day).
The program is only offered in person on the North campus in Edmonton, Alberta.
No, this program does not have a year-to-year waiting list for admission. All applicants must reapply if they do not receive admission and are in open competition for any given year.
Yes, the program is a direct-entry program from high school. High school applicants must have finished high school before the start of the program.
No, applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. This program does not accept international applicants on student visas.
No, completing the program does not meet any of the admission requirements for the dental hygiene program.
Apply Now
All applicants are in open competition for the available seats. Seats are not filled in the order applications are received.
Questions?
Contact dentistry admissions:
admissions.dentistry@ualberta.ca
780-492-1319