New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD) and Tuskegee University have entered into a historic agreement to conduct a combined B.A.-D.D.S. program. This marks the first time that Tuskegee University, a member of the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), has collaborated on a B.A.-D.D.S. program, and the first time that NYUCD has done so with a Historically Black University.
The agreement gives strongly motivated Tuskegee students whose primary goal is dentistry a virtual guarantee that, if they maintain an honors GPA at Tuskegee and fulfill NYUCD's admission requirements, they will be accepted. Tuskegee students will be eligible for the joint program as early as the second semester of freshman year.
"The dental profession is challenged to create opportunities for African-Americans to learn about and join the profession," said Novella Jones, NYUCD's assistant dean for student affairs and admissions. "This agreement enables NYU and Tuskegee to make a profound contribution in that area."
Discussions with Tuskegee officials are underway to set up a "grandfathering" mechanism that could result in the first combined degree-program student entering NYUCD as early as fall 2003.
