Program Tips

General Information

Academic Advising & Student Success

Academic advisors assist students with developing education plans based on their graduation audit. Their goal is to plan the right pathway to graduation by maximizing students' potential and ensuring success based on the student's previous academic experience, career path, and responsibilities outside of being a student. Student success specialists assist students in overcoming barriers that many students encounter over their academic career. Their goal is to help students become academically successful by assisting with goal setting, interpersonal issues, success plans, and community-based referrals. More information can be found on Commons (Student Services & Support).

Technology Requirements

It is expected that students have access to a laptop, computer, or device with a webcam and have reliable Wi-Fi at home or off-campus. 

Library & Academic Support

The one-stop spot for academic help! Free academic help including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, research guidance, and technology support available online and face-to-face. More information is available in Commons (Student Services & Support).

Financial Aid Consideration

Courses must be part of the student's program to be eligible although some specific courses may not be eligible for financial aid. Students must follow their program requirements to be eligible for financial aid. To be eligible for financial aid, students must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress of a 2.0 Term GPA, 2.0 Cumulative GPA, complete 67% of attempted credits each semester, and complete their program by the time 150% of the published credits have been attempted. 

Students with Disabilities

CVTC welcomes individuals with disabilities. We will provide and coordinate reasonable accommodations for all individuals with documented disabilities. Students who might benefit from accommodations during their college experience at CVTC can contact the Student Success and Accessibility team at 715-833-6234 or access@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.

Title IX Pregnancy and Related Conditions

CVTC does not discriminate against any student based on pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Related conditions include, but are not limited to, childbirth, breastfeeding/pumping, miscarriage, abortion, false pregnancy, and recovery from these or related conditions. Students who are pregnant or are experiencing related conditions are entitled to reasonable modifications to ensure equal access to CVTC's educational program and activities. Any student seeking reasonable modifications must contact the Student Success and Accessibility team at 715-833-6234 or access@cvtc.edu to discuss appropriate and available modifications based on their individual needs. Students are encouraged to request pregnancy-related modifications as promptly as possible. 

Pre-Core Information

Students who have pre-core status have been accepted into the college but not into the program. Pre-core status may be granted because the program is filled to capacity, academic preparedness requirements need to be satisfied, or the program start date is in the future. For more detailed information, visit the Pre-Core Health Advisement page.

Criminal Background Check

Upon starting the core program, students will be provided directions on how to request a criminal background check from a third-party vendor. Please note that a fee will apply. Upon receipt of the criminal background check results, if a student has a criminal history, they will be advised of the possibility of being denied clinical placement. This denial could result in not being able to attend clinical(s) or graduate from the program. Additional background checks may be required during enrollment in the program based on clinical site requirements. Students will be notified by CVTC if they need a criminal background check renewal. 

Courses Available to Pre-Core Students

By completing these courses ahead of time, students can decrease their credit load when they reach the highly demanding core program courses and increase their success rate in the program. Students must complete General Anatomy & Physiology before starting the program. It is strongly recommended that pre-core students also complete Microbiology, Biochemistry, and all other general education courses while waiting to enroll in the core program. Students who complete these courses as pre-core students will NOT be able to finish the program early; program core courses must be taken sequentially.

The courses listed below are available to pre-core students:

• 834-110 Elementary Algebra w/ Applications *
• 836-113 Prep for Basic Biology *
• 836-133 Prep for Basic Chemistry *
• 806-177 General Anatomy & Physiology (HS or college level chemistry with a "C" or higher required) *
• 806-186 Introduction to Biochemistry
• 806-197 Microbiology (806-177 General Anatomy & Physiology is a prerequisite for this course)
• 801-136 English Composition 1 or 801-219 English Composition 1
• 801-196 Oral/Interpersonal Communication or 801-198 Speech
• 809-198 Introduction to Psychology (809-199 Psychology of Human Relations cannot be substituted for 809-198 Introduction to Psychology)
• 809-172 Intro to Diversity Studies or 809-196 Introduction to Sociology
• 809-188 Developmental Psychology (taking Intro to Psychology first is recommended)

*These courses are academic preparedness requirements. If these courses are not met, students may take those courses at CVTC.

Transfer Credit

Students planning to transfer to a university have the option to take 200-level courses that will count toward general education requirements in the four-year degree being pursued. While some of the 100-level general education courses listed on the program sheet may meet approval for transfer, the 200-level courses are more widely accepted for transfer. To determine what courses may transfer, utilize Transferology.com. Students should also contact the college or university they are pursuing to determine exactly what the school will accept and when to seek admission. Students should maintain contact with the other institution, given that program requirements are subject to change.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

CPL offers CVTC students an opportunity to earn college credit toward an associate degree or technical diploma for previous knowledge and mastered skills directly related to program curriculum. Previous knowledge and skills may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military experience, and courses completed at other institutions. If a student wishes to attempt CPL for a course in progress, it is imperative that CPL is attempted within the first week of the class to be eligible for tuition refund. More information can be found at cvtc.edu/CPL. 

Program Information

Dental Program Accreditation

The Dental Hygienist program at Chippewa Valley Technical College is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council of Post-Secondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. This program prepares you to take the national, regional, and state practical exam required for your dental hygienist license. 

Healthcare Prep Seminar

This program requires attendance at a two-day in-person Healthcare Prep Seminar the week before the fall semester begins. Students will be sent invitations to these sessions via email.  Student will get to meet their cohort and faculty, complete CPR training, learn more about the program and resources, and learn how to be successful in the program.

Mandatory Meeting

New core program students will be invited to an informational meeting prior to starting the core program. Invitations will be sent via email. Please make sure we have a current email address on file. 

508-101 Dental Health Safety

This course begins approximately four weeks prior to the start of the traditional fall and spring semesters. It is a hybrid course with both online and classroom components. Students are required to come on campus for four, eight hour sessions to complete all skill competencies. This course is a prerequisite for core courses. Therefore, students must stay on schedule with course assignments to ensure successful completion of this course with a grade of "C+" or higher in order to progress into the core program. Computer skills are strongly recommended. Access to a computer is required.

Pre-Entrance Health History, Dental Exam, and Dental Office Interview

A pre-entrance health history, including record of immunizations, must be completed and on file three weeks prior to entering the core courses of this program. Dental office interviews take place at CVTC's Dental Clinic. Students will receive specific information at the appropriate time via email. 

Clinical Compliance

To be compliant with CVTC's partnering clinical agencies and the agencies' regulating bodies, for example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), students must be prepared to abide by vaccination mandates and health and safety guidelines as dictated by those bodies. Vaccination requirements and health documentation must be completed and on file in Clinician Nexus prior to entering the core courses of the program. CVTC will notify students at the appropriate time with a specified deadline. Students will receive an email invite from Clinician Nexus to create an account and upload their own clinical compliance documents. Students are responsible for maintaining their own records. 

CPR

Obtain and maintain current CPR certification through either the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. The certification required is BLS Provider or Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers. Proof must be verified with a current CPR card or an electronic certification. Class rosters and letters from instructors or employers are not acceptable. Students are responsible for submitting proof of current CPR certification to Clinician Nexus prior to starting the core program. Current CPR certification must be kept current during the program. CVTC offers CPR-BLS Provider courses; find more information at cvtc.edu/seminars. 

Dental Labs

Please note that most of the dental labs are during the day and early evening. Labs require flexibility due to some off-campus clinical participation. Students who have completed the Dental Assistant program may test out of Dental Materials and Radiography labs. See the program director and academic advisor for details.

Last Updated: February 16, 2026 @ 9:50 a.m.