4.3 - Student Awards, Honors, and Scholarships

The College of Dentistry is fortunate to have a great variety of scholarship opportunities available to students. Award amounts may vary from several hundred to several thousand dollars per semester, depending upon the specific award. There are typically about 70 students who receive scholarships totaling approximately $300,000.

Applicants must have the FAFSA on file for the upcoming academic term prior to submitting an application for OU College of Dentistry scholarships. Applicants must also be in good academic standing. When applying for OU College of Dentistry scholarships, applicants will be required to submit responses to a few short-answer questions. Some scholarships may prompt applicants to submit supplemental material to be considered. 

Criteria for each scholarship is dependent on each foundation account and they are allocated per year or per semester dependent on the amount. Students can find the application on Self-Service during the spring term. Refer to the scholarship link on the OUCOD website for more information.

Presented for attaining the highest academic standing during the prescribed years of study at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry.

LATIN HONORIFICS FOR UNDERGRADUATE & GRADUATE DEGREES 

Latin honors for Health Sciences undergraduate and graduate degrees are conferred based on the cumulative program grade point average (GPA). This GPA includes grades earned in required prerequisite courses transferred into undergraduate programs, as well as grades received during the student's enrollment in the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences program. 

The University determines eligibility for Latin honors based on the cumulative program GPA as of the first day of the term in which the student graduates, except those graduating in the summer term, whose eligibiltiy is determined by the first day of the preceeding spring term.

Grade Point Average Academic Program Requirements for Latin Honorifics:  

• cum Laude (3.50 to 3.74) 

• Magna cum Laude (3.75 to 3.89) 

• Summa cum Laude (3.90 to 4.00) 

4.0 MEDALLION 

Health Sciences program students with an overall programmatic 4.0 GPA are eligible to receive a 4.0 University Medallion. The University determines eligibility for the 4.0 Medallion based on the programatic GPA as of the first day of the term in which the student graduates, except those graduating in the summer term, whose eligibiltiy is determined by the first day of the preceeding spring term.

Students may graduate with a 4.0 Medallion if they have completed the requirements of their degree with: 

• 4.0 programmatic GPA, which is defined as the grades earned from the required, prerequisite courses transferred in for the program and the grades received during the program, 

• Minimum of 60 hours for undergraduate programs or a majority of graduate program requirements taken at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, and 

• No disciplinary Academic Integrity action. 

Students may wear the medallion during Commencement events and exercises. 

In addition, the student’s name will be listed in a special section of the graduation program, and the students will be invited to attend a 4.0 University medallion presentation. 

Students who qualify will be notified by their degree-recommending college or Health Sciences Recruitment & Admissions. In collaboration with the Health Sciences Senior Vice President and Provost Office, Health Sciences Recruitment & Admissions will provide information regarding the presentation. 

If students are unable to attend the presentation, a medallion will be mailed to the recipient or available for pick up on the Health Sciences Campus in Oklahoma City, OK. 

There are several awards given out by Department, Division, or National Groups. The criteria is based upon performance in each of those specific courses of that Department or Division.

The awards are typically presented at the Senior Awards Ceremony prior to graduation or at the ODA Annual Meeting.

Omicron Kappa Upsilon is a national dental honorary society founded in 1914. It recognizes graduates exhibiting achievements in scholarship, exemplary traits of strong character, and professional potential.  Members receive a stole representing the society for graduation. 

Sigma Phi Alpha is a national dental hygiene honorary society founded in 1958. Membership is based upon scholarship, leadership, character, and service to the profession. Members receive a certificate and a pin representing the society for graduation.