Missed the July cohort? Your August options, explained

Missing a start date isn't falling behind

When a class starts without you, it can feel like the train left the station. But here's the thing about a program that runs about 12 weeks with rolling start dates: another train is already boarding. Missing a cohort doesn't push your career back a year the way a missed college semester would — it moves your start by a matter of weeks.

And those weeks don't have to be dead time. More on that in a minute.

Your two August start dates

Both cohorts cover the same material with the same instructor — Amanda Williams teaches every class herself. Start in August and you'll wrap up in November, trained and looking for work before the holidays hit full swing.

Option 1: August 17 — the Mon/Wed/Fri rhythm

Three shorter evenings, 6:00 to 9:00 pm. This one suits people who like a steady drumbeat: you're never more than two days away from the classroom, so the material stays fresh without marathon sessions. The 6:00 start also gives you a little more breathing room if your shift runs to 5:30 — time to grab something to eat and still walk in settled instead of frazzled.

Option 2: August 25 — the Tue/Thu rhythm

Two longer evenings, 5:30 to 9:00 pm. Fewer nights out of the house — which matters a lot if you have kids, a long drive, or a job that already eats your energy. Your Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays stay yours. It also starts a week later, which some folks quietly appreciate: one more paycheck before the down payment, one more week to get childcare sorted.

Can't wait until August? Start online today

The online RDA program is self-paced and starts any day — including today. Right now it's $397 as a limited-time sale (regularly $997). And here's the part most people miss: it's transferable. If you later decide you want the in-person experience, everything you paid applies as credit toward in-person tuition. Your money is never lost.

Some students use it as a head start: begin online in July, then join the August cohort already knowing the vocabulary, the tooth numbering, and the software. If you're weighing that path, take the honest 5-question self-check first — online suits some people and not others, and it's better to know which you are.

What it costs and how people pay

In-person tuition is $3,000 paid in full, or $3,500 on a payment plan with $500 down. And you may not have to carry it alone: PDA accepts Texas Workforce Solutions (WIOA) funding, GI Bill benefits for veterans and eligible family members, and payment plans for everyone else.

Common questions, honest answers

Is the August material the same as July's? Yes — every cohort runs the same full program: the same roughly 12 weeks, the same hands-on Saturdays, the same software training. Starting later doesn't mean getting less.

In-person or online — do I have to pick forever? No. Online tuition transfers in full to in-person credit if you switch, so starting online isn't a dead end — it's a running start.

What if August doesn't work either? Then September is real too: cohorts are already on the calendar for September 14 (Mon/Wed/Fri evenings) and September 29 (Tue/Thu evenings). Life happens; the calendar keeps rolling.

Does financial help change between cohorts? No — Workforce Solutions, GI Bill benefits, and payment plans work the same whichever start date you choose.

Use the next six weeks well

The gap between now and August is an advantage if you spend it on purpose. Print the free 12-week study plan dated to your start. Poke around the free practice tools so day one isn't your first time seeing a tooth chart. And if you want to see the campus before you commit, book a tour — it's on Gilmer Rd in Longview, and Amanda will show you around herself.

How to hold a seat

Eight seats per class is a hard cap — it's why students get real chair time, and it's also why cohorts fill. If August is your window: apply free (fast, personal response), enroll online if you're ready now, or join the waitlist and we'll nudge you before it's too late. Prefer a human? Call or text (903) 913-6444 — you'll get Amanda, not a call center. Every upcoming date lives on the calendar.

Keep reading: What the first week at PDA looks like · Is the online program right for you? · Working while in school