Graduate Certificate in Orthodontics

The Graduate Program in Orthodontics from Temple University’s Kornberg School of Dentistry emphasizes evidence-based, patient-centered and outcome-driven care. This full-time, 26-month, postdoctoral certificate program educates residents to become qualified specialists in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics with expertise in applied basic sciences, compassionate care for patients, clinical biomechanics and diagnosis treatment planning. Residents are also required to complete a Master of Science in Oral Health Sciences while completing the Orthodontics certificate program. 

Residents receive advanced didactic and clinical instruction across all aspects of the discipline, in preparation for a career as an orthodontist in settings such as clinical practice, research and academics. Graduates are prepared to pursue certification by the American Board of Orthodontics. 

The Orthodontics curriculum incorporates advanced understanding of cutting-edge orthodontic instrumentation, with a focus on evidence-based diagnosis and treatment planning. You’ll critically evaluate dental literature, research, theories, technological advancements and therapeutic procedures and apply these practices to the multidisciplinary, interprofessional treatment of patients. You’ll also develop the skills needed for the sound management of your clinical practice. 

Clinical and didactic seminar coursework is completed at the Kornberg School of Dentistry and during a course at the Charles H. Tweed International Foundation for Orthodontic Research and Education in Tucson, Arizona, where you will receive intensive hands-on training in differential diagnosis and mechanics. 

Matriculation for the Orthodontics program starts in July of each year and residents are expected to maintain continuous residency status over the course of the program. Completion of the certificate also awards residents with a concurrent Master of Science degree in Oral Health Sciences.

Program goals

The Orthodontics Certificate has developed clearly stated the following goals and objectives appropriate to advanced specialty education, which address education, patient care, research and service.

  • Graduate orthodontists who possess and apply the knowledge and skills required to diagnose, understand the basis of, and adequately treat, alone or in concert with other dental and medical practitioners, orthodontic cases while maintaining the health of the patient.
  • Prepare orthodontic residents for certification by the American Board of Orthodontics.
  • Prepare orthodontic residents to effectively communicate knowledge of orthodontics and related craniofacial anomalies to other medical-dental professionals and their patients
  • Graduate orthodontists who possess the knowledge and skills required to critically evaluate the dental literature, research, technological advancements, and therapeutic procedures, and apply this knowledge into their diagnosis, treatment plan and clinical practice.
  • Graduate orthodontists who understand the theory and methods of clinical and basic science research.
  • Receive positive feedback from program graduates in the ongoing evaluation of the postdoctoral orthodontic program.
  • Graduate orthodontists who understand the importance of lifelong learning, professional development, and their responsibility to the profession and the community at large.
An orthodontics patient being treated in a clinic at Temple Dental.

Oral Health Sciences MS

Students in the Graduate Program in Orthodontics apply for the Master of Science in Oral Health Sciences upon acceptance to the program. In this 30-credit postgraduate master’s program, students apply modern biological principles and research techniques that aid in diagnosing, treating and preventing oral and craniofacial diseases and anomalies.

Through the interdisciplinary curriculum, students study the structure, development and function of oral tissues; their interrelationships; and their connections to other organ systems. Research areas include advanced general dentistry, clinical fields, and periodontal and craniofacial regeneration.

The program’s Clinical Specialty Track is specifically tailored for postgraduate students currently enrolled in an advanced training certificate in the Kornberg School of Dentistry. Coursework in students’ postgraduate certificate programs count toward the required 30 credits for the Oral Health Sciences MS degree.

Learn more about the Oral Health Sciences MS.

Orthodontic Externship

Externships are scheduled during the months of April, May, June and July. Students interested in taking part in an externship will need to be available, in person, for two to three consecutive days per week, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please submit the following information to orthodontics@temple.edu to be considered for an externship position.

  • Current curriculum vitae, including GPA
  • Letter of interest regarding an externship in the Department of Orthodontics
  • An accounting of your availability during the months of April, May, June and July

Orthodontic Internship

The Orthodontics program at Temple University’s Kornberg School of Dentistry offers an Orthodontics internship, which provides the opportunity to build knowledge in orthodontics through a curriculum that balances clinical and didactic methods to become a more competitive applicant for orthodontic residency programs. Learn more about the Orthodontic internship.

Classes & Curriculum

While clinical instruction will serve as the foundation for much of this program, some required coursework for the Graduate Program in Orthodontics is completed concurrently with the Master of Science in Oral Biology.

Orthodontics courses include the following.

  • Introduction to Orthodontics
  • Orthodontic Principles and Techniques
  • Biomechanics
  • History of Orthodontics

Learn more about courses in the Orthodontics Specialty Certificate program

Related Professional Degrees

Related Graduate Certificates

Careers

Dentists who have completed the Orthodontics graduate program are prepared for advanced careers as

  • academic professors,
  • orthodontists, and
  • oral and craniofacial researchers.

Career Development

Through the Orthodontic department and the Office of Graduate Education, the residents pursuing careers as mentioned above can receive counseling and support during their tenure at Kornberg and after they graduate. 

The Orthodontic program regularly hosts guest speakers and career events covering a wide range of topics including

  • corporate and private practice careers,
  • debt management,
  • specialty education,
  • office design, and
  • practice management.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Certificate in Orthodontics offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. 

You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

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Additional Program Information