Chiropractic

Overview

Chiropractic programs teach people to adjust and realign the bones in people's bodies. Students learn to diagnose health problems, counsel patients, and prescribe exercises.

Chiropractic programs include topics such as:

• Basic medical sciences
• Chiropractic theory and science
• Postural and spinal analysis
• Anatomy and physiology
• Muscle and bone structures
• Diagnostic radiology and ultrasound
• Professional standards and ethics
• Practice management

Internship

During your final year of chiropractic college, you complete an internship. During this period, you work with patients under the supervision of a licensed chiropractor.

Schools

Several universities and chiropractic schools offer graduate degrees in chiropractic. Students earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree. A DC degree usually requires four to five years of study beyond the bachelor’s degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

• Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Anatomy
• Chiropractic Assisting
• Exercise Physiology
• Homeopathic Medicine
• Physical Therapy
• Physical Therapy Assisting
• Physiology
• Pre-Health Services

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

• Chiropractors

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

• Acupuncturists
• Athletic Trainers
• Massage Therapists
• Naturopathic Physicians
• Respiratory Therapists

Program Admission

Proprietary schools, colleges, and universities all offer this program. If you want to study at a proprietary school, you can prepare for this program of study by completing your high school diploma or getting a GED. If you want to study at a college or university, you can prepare for this program by taking the following courses: four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Graduate Admissions

Admission to chiropractic programs is competitive. You typically need a bachelor's degree and good grades.

You don't need to major in a particular subject, but you should be able to demonstrate a good grasp on college-level lab sciences, including the following:

• Biological Sciences with lab (one year)
• General Chemistry with lab (one year)
• Organic Chemistry with lab (one year)
• Physics with lab (one year)

Some schools also require biochemistry. In addition, you should take general education courses in the following subjects:

• English or Communications
• Humanities
• Psychology
• Social Sciences

Additional requirements generally include:

• Clinical observation (shadowing) of a chiropractor
• Letters of recommendation, one from a chiropractor
• Personal interview

Typical Course Work

Graduate Program Courses

This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

• Adjustive Technique
• Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology
• Clinical Chiropractic
• Clinical Orthopedics and Neurology
• Differential Diagnosis
• Emergency Procedures
• Ethics and Jurisprudence
• Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics
• Fundamental Concepts of Chiropractic
• General Pathology and Immunology
• Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis and Treatment
• Nutrition
• Palpation
• Physical Examination Skills
• Physiological Therapeutics
• Practice Management
• Research Methods
• Soft Tissue Therapies
• Specialized Chiropractic Procedures

You participate in clinical clerkships during the second half of the curriculum, while taking more courses. These clerkships are hands-on opportunities to learn how to apply your knowledge and sharpen your skills in real-life clinical settings.

Each clerkship lasts from several weeks to a few months. This gives you the opportunity to participate in different settings under the supervision of experienced licensed chiropractors who may have different patient-care styles.

Things to Know

You need to be licensed in order to practice. Licensure is regulated on a state-to-state basis.

Most chiropractic programs require you to have a bachelor's degree prior to admission. Some chiropractic schools allow students to enter after completing only two years of college courses. Many states will not license a chiropractor who does not have a bachelor's degree.

You need to be able to work well with your hands since spinal manipulation methods are a large part of this program.

If you plan to open your own business, classes in small business administration can be helpful.

Schools

No information available.