Overview
The Doctorate Degree in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is an advanced post graduate program designed to develop highly skilled surgeons with expertise in diagnosis, surgical management, and rehabilitation of diseases, injuries, and deformities of the oral and maxillofacial region. The program combines rigorous didactic courses, hands-on surgical training, and research-oriented learning to enhance advanced clinical judgment, surgical proficiency, and scientific inquiry.
About the Program
The Doctorate Degree in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at the Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University is a five-year program comprising an initial year of two academic semesters followed by a comprehensive exam, thesis submission and defense and final exit exam. Upon successful fulfillment of all program requirements, graduates are awarded an officially accredited Doctorate Degree certificate specifying the approved field of specialization and the title of the thesis.
How to Apply
For application, doctoral candidates are required to submit a thesis research protocol, approved by the Department Council from January to May of each calendar year. Applications for international students in Egypt are centrally managed through the "Study in Egypt" platform (admission.study-in-egypt.gov.eg) and the Ministry of Higher Education's system (wafeden.gov.eg).
Admission Requirements
● The applicant must hold a Master’s degree in the same specialty from a university recognized by the Supreme Council of Universities, or an equivalent degree approved by the Council.
● Applicants must submit an official approval from their employer confirming permission to be enrolled in the Doctorate Degree in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and commitment to full-time study throughout the program duration.
● Applicants should demonstrate English language proficiency for program registration by passing the university exam or submitting a valid certificate (Local TOEFL with a minimum score of 500, IELTS with a minimum overall score of 7.0, or their equivalent). The certificate is valid for one calendar year during which the applicant must complete registration for the degree; international students could submit the certificate within one year from enrollment in the program.
Program Structure and Duration
● Program Structure: The Doctorate Degree in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is a five-year program. Candidates should complete a total of 70 credit hours; 20 credit hours over one year (two semesters), including a comprehensive series of courses, 20 credit hours of the final exit exam in addition to 30 credit hours for the thesis.
● Course load: During the first academic year, candidates study advanced compulsory and elective courses, distributed over two semesters (first and second semesters). A student becomes eligible to sit for the final exit exam only after successfully completing all first-year courses and fulfilling the approved academic requirements.
● Semester Duration: 16 weeks per semester.
● Clinical Training: Candidates undergo supervised clinical training in the diagnosis, surgical management, and postoperative care of oral and maxillofacial conditions. Training covers dentoalveolar surgery, trauma management, orthognathic and reconstructive procedures, temporomandibular joint surgery, and management of oral pathologies. Emphasis is placed on surgical precision, advanced decision-making, patient-centered care, and the integration of evidence-based practices, preparing graduates for independent practice and clinical leadership.
● Didactic Courses and Seminars: Candidates engage in advanced lectures and structured seminars covering contemporary oral and maxillofacial surgery principles, including dentoalveolar surgery, maxillofacial trauma, orthognathic surgery, pathology, implant surgery, surgical anatomy, and perioperative patient management. Emphasis is placed on critical evaluation of scientific literature, evidence-based surgical decision-making, and research methodology.
● This program requires the completion and public defense of a thesis.
Requirements for Graduation
● Full-time Study: Students must commit fully to the program.
● Attendance: Regular attendance is required; up to 25% absence may be excused in special cases.
● Academic requirements: All courses should be passed with a minimum grade of (C) and a cumulative GPA of at least (2.44).
● Practical training: Students must complete all required practical tasks, documented in a logbook. A minimum of 75% completion is required to sit for exams.
● Successful submission and defense of the doctoral thesis.