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Programs & Courses > Dental Hygienist > Academic Preparedness

Dental Hygienist Academic Preparedness

Information Last Updated: Oct. 22, 2025

Core Courses Begin:  Fall

Seats Available: 12

NOTE: This program is in high demand and will utilize a waiting list for entry into limited capacity core program courses. Acceptance to Blackhawk Technical College does not guarantee a seat in a waiting list program.

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Waiting List Status

  • Pre-Core: Student is not academically prepared for the program – Must complete all pre-core requirements before they are eligible to receive a seat in core program courses.
  • Core Ready: Student is academically prepared for the program and waiting for a seat in the core program courses.
  • Core Active: Student is enrolled in core program courses.
More Information

Pre-Core

Required Action

  1. Provide Proof of Residency to Registration & Records Department 
  2. Complete All Required Pre-Core Courses and Meet Minimum Grade Requirements 
  3. Complete Testing and Meet Score Requirements 

All Pre-Core requirements must be met before a student is eligible for a seat in core program courses.

Proof of Residency

Students are added to the waiting list based on their program admission date and residency. Residency is broken into three categories: in-district, out-of-district State, and non-State. Once you provide documentation of your residency, you cannot change your residency for waiting list purposes.

  • Showing address verification documents in person with the Registration & Records Department
  • Emailing address verification documents via Blackhawk email to registration@blackhawk.edu

  • State issued photo ID (Driver’s License, Operators License, or Identity Card)
  • Tax Return Document (Most Recent Filing)
  • Vehicle Registration Document
  • Bank Account Statement with Address
  • Voter Registration Documents

Courses Required Prior to Moving to Core Ready Status

All required courses will be subject to the College’s Course Age Limit policy. Course age is locked at the time a student becomes Core Ready and is not re-evaluated as long as they remain on the waiting list. Students admitted to the program who completed courses prior to the 2025-2026 school year may be allowed to grandfather in previous grades. Ask your advisor for more information. 

Course Name Credits Pre-requisite required Minimum grade
English Composition I
(801-136)		 3 None C
General Anatomy & Physiology
(806-177)		 4 None B
Introduction to Biochemistry
(806-186)		 4 Chemistry B
Microbiology
(806-197)		 4 General Anatomy & Physiology B

Testing Required Prior to Moving into Core Ready Status

All testing needs to be completed by the status evaluation dates. It is recommended to complete all Pre-Core coursework prior to taking the test, as the course content will prepare you to be more successful. All testing must have been completed within the past 3 years for a student to move from Pre-Core to Core Ready.

The cost of Health Education Systems Inc. Admission Assessment (HESI) A2 is $61, plus eCommerce fee. Exam results are valid for three years. Additional information can be found at blackhawk.edu/Admissions/Placement-Testing

Note: If you took the TEAS exam prior to February 7, 2025, provide your scores to Blackhawk for review to see if the HESI requirement can be waived.

HESI Test Minimum score
Composite 75%
A&P 75%
Biology 75%
Grammar 75%
Math 75%
Reading Comprehension 75%
Vocabulary General Knowledge 75%
Critical Thinking 750

Core Ready

Core Ready means you have completed all the Pre-Core requirements and are waiting for a seat to become available in the program’s core courses.

General Education Courses - Required for Graduation

Students may take these courses during Pre-Core or Core Ready status. If not completed prior to Core Active, students should meet with their advisor to determine the best time during the core program course structure to take the remaining general education courses. Courses are listed in their order of priority.

All required courses will be subject to the College’s Course Age Limit policy. Course age is locked at the time a student becomes Core Ready and is not re-evaluated as long as they remain on the waiting list. Students admitted to the program who completed courses prior to the 2025-2026 school year may be allowed to grandfather in previous grades. Ask your advisor for more information.

NOTE: Students will need to complete additional tasks (e.g., background checks, immunizations, drug screening, etc.) after they are notified of an available seat in program’s core courses. Additional information will be provided by the program faculty once a seat is offered.

Course Name Credits Pre-requisite required Minimum grade
Introduction to Psychology
(809-198)		 3 None C
Introduction to Sociology
(809-196)		 3 None C
Speech
(801-198)		 3 None C

Core Active

Core Active means you have been offered a seat in the program’s core courses. View Academic Plan