Indiana University School of Dentistry > Departments > Education > Graduate Education > Graduate Programs > Endodontics

Graduate Endodontic Program

Program Director:  Dr. Kenneth Spolnik
Graduate Endodontic Program
Indiana University School of Dentistry
1121 W Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 274-7280

Program Information

Classes begin the first week of July  and end June 30 of the second year.  The student must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 while enrolled in this 24 month program.  

All candidates are expected to complete the requirements for the Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD) degree, which includes conducting an original research project and submitting and defending an acceptable thesis.

Minimum requirements for the MSD degree include 30 hours of coursework, of which 18 hours must be devoted to didactic work.  A minimum of 6 hours must be earned toward an approved minor subject outside the major concentration.  Other elective subjects may be selected based on the student's educational objective.  A total of 6 hours must be in research, additional research credit cannot be used toward fulfillment of the degree.

Admissions Criteria

Graduates holding a dental degree (DDS, DMD) from an accredited US or Canadian dental school and graduates of international dental schools who possess an equivalent educational background and standing are eligible to apply.

It is recommended that candidates have prior experience in an internship or residency program, or at least one year of general practice, before starting the graduate program.

Our admission policy is designed to identify students with integrity, motivation, and resourcefulness who also have the fundamental knowledge required for undertaking a rigorous specialty curriculum. The nondiscriminatory selection of students is divided into three phases.

  • Initial screening is made by the Director of Admissions Committee using the following criteria:
    • Predoctoral record
      • grades
      • class standing
    • National Board Scores Part I and II
    • Experience beyond predoctoral education
    • Letters of recommendation
  • Qualified applicants are invited for a mandatory interview, during which the student’s professional and personal goals and interests are further evaluated.
  • Final selection is made by the Selection Committee and all applicants are notified by the Associate Dean of Graduate Education, of his/her status. Every effort is made to complete the process by November 1.
  • NOTE:  If National Boards Part I and Part II become Pass/Fail an additional exam may be added (GRE).

Application Information:  All applicants to the endodontics program must participate in PASS (Postdoctoral Application Support Service) which is a centralized application service of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA).    The 2013 online PASS application will be available in May 2012.

The following should be sent directly to PASS.

Class ranking or standing:  Class ranking or standing is mandatory for all applicants except those from Un-Graded programs.  We will accept class rankings and GPA recorded on the ADEA PASS Institutional Evaluation (ADEA IEF) form and sent directly to PASS.  We will also accept class ranking which are recorded in the dental transcript or a letter directly from your Dental Dean's Office.  

National Board Scores:  The National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) is mandatory for US trained dentists.  IUSD will accept National Board scores reported on the ADEA PASS Institutional Evaluation (ADEA IEF) form.  We will also accept National Board scores sent directly from your Dental Dean's Office.  Part II scores are not required for 4th year dental students attending an accredited dental program, but should be provided as soon as they are available.  The NBDE is not required for international trained dentists.

Three ETS Personal Potential Index (PPI) Evaluations:  Three ETS Personal Potential Index (ETS PPI) evaluations are required.   All applicants must enter evaluator contact information using the ETS PPI dedicated link in his or her ADEA PASS application account in order to have the form delivered electronically to each evaluator.  Evaluations should be from faculty members, private practitioners or friends, in that order of importance.  An ADEA PASS Institution Evaluation Form (ADEA IEF) is also required from the Dean (or his/her representative) of your dental school. 

Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) Course-by-Course Report.  Send all international transcripts to ECE, PO Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI  53203-3470.  The ECE report should be sent directly to PASS.

Applicants must also submit supplemental items directly to the IUSD Office of Graduate Education. 

US Applicants:

Certificate of Disciplinary History Form
A current CV - send electronically to:  ds-grad@iupui.edu

International Applicants:

Official National Board Scores (if completed and not listed on PASS application – not required for admission)

Official transcripts, including work already completed and work currently in progress.  The records should show a complete list of courses taken, grades received and any diplomas or certificates earned.  Transcripts should also indicate the number of credits awarded for each course or the number of hours of classroom, lecture and laboratory and include information about the school's grading scale.

If the original documents are not in English, a verified translation must be sent with your official transcripts in your native language.

Certificate of Disciplinary History Form

If English is not your native language, you must demonstrate proficiency in English before you are admitted.  TOEFL scores of 550+ (paper version/PBT) or 213+ (computer based version/CBT) or a minimum score of 79+ internet based version/iBT is required.  IUPUI's school code for the TOEFL is 1325. A grade of 6.0 or higher on the Cambridge International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is also acceptable. 

A completed Financial Support Agreement Form from each sponsor and all required supporting documentation

A current CV - send electroncially to ds-grad@iupui.edu

Status of Application

Applicants will receive notification of receipt of their application.  The Committee will not review incomplete files; therefore, it is up to the applicant to verify status of his/her file.Completed applications will be reviewed and candidates will be selected and invited for an interview.   Following the interview process, acceptance letters and contracts will be sent to each successful applicant. 

Rules Determining Resident and Nonresident Student Status for Indiana University Fee Purposes

With very few exceptions, if you enter Indiana University School of Dentistry as a non-resident, you will remain a non-resident (for fee-paying purposes) throughout your postgraduate education.  Attending Indiana University School of Dentistry for one year does not entitle you to resident tuition if you are not from Indiana.

Applicants who have further questions about the objectives, faculty, staff, facilities or curriculum are encouraged to contact Dr. Spolnik.  If you have questions concerning the application process, please contact Barb Lerner, Coordinator of Graduate Education at ds-grad@iupui.edu