- Chiropractic School Program Length Chart
- Chiropractic School Program Length Table
- Chiropractic School Program Length
- Chiropractic Programs In Michigan
The UT Martin Pre-Chiropractic Plan is designed to prepare students for application to professional school. The courses listed in the plan meet the minimum requirements for admission to chiropractic school as outlined by the Council on Chiropractic Education. By following the Pre-Chiropractic Plan recommendations, students will be eligible for admission into most Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) programs; however, students are strongly encouraged to review the requirements for their school(s) of choice.
The chiropractic program is a three-phase program. Phase I: Basic Sciences Spend one full year of anatomy and physiology in our anatomy lab where you'll perform complete human dissection rather than learning by prosection or virtual instruction. Doctor of Chiropractic. NYCC's Doctor of Chiropractic program has a graduation rate of 93.4%. This rate represents the percentage of students that entered in the Fall 2014 cohort, and earned the Doctor of Chiropractic degree within the maximum timeframe.
Please note: the Pre-Chiropractic Plan is not a major and does not fulfill the requirements for a baccalaureate degree at UT Martin. The courses listed below are recommendations and are not required for degree completion unless also listed under the student’s chosen major.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a chiropractor do?
Chiropractors diagnose and treat patients with health problems of the musculoskeletal system believed to be caused by interference with the function of the nervous system. Chiropractors rely on the body's inherent recuperative abilities by adjusting the spinal column and other areas of the body; they also provide natural, drugless, nonsurgical health treatments, such as exercise, rest, water, light, heat, and nutritional therapy.
Chiropractors conduct physical, neurological, and orthopedic examinations; order laboratory tests; and analyze a patient’s posture and spine using a specialized technique. Additionally, chiropractors diagnose health problems by reviewing patient's health and medical histories; questioning, observing and examining patients; and interpreting x-rays. They may recommend changes in lifestyle that affect health and they may refer patients to or consult with other health practitioners.
Is there a demand for chiropractors?
Yes, employment for chiropractors is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2026 due to consumer demand for alternative health care.
What degree to do I need to become a chiropractor?
Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)
Do I have to have a license or a particular credential?
Chiropractors are required to be licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
How many chiropractic programs are there in Tennessee?
There are only 21 colleges of chiropractic in the United States and there are none in the state of Tennessee.
How long is the typical D.C. program?
Most D.C. programs are 3-4 years in length.
Are there any required admissions tests for chiropractic programs?
No, there are no required admission tests.
Will I be a pre-chiropractic major?
No. The Pre-Chiropractic Plan is not a major and does not fulfill the requirements for a baccalaureate degree at UT Martin. The courses listed in the plan are recommendations and are not required for degree completion unless also listed under the student’s chosen major.
What should I major in?
While most Doctor of Chiropractic programs do not require applicants to earn a baccalaureate degree before matriculation into the professional program, students who have earned a baccalaureate degree are often viewed as more competitive than those who have not. The best major is the one in which you are most interested and the most likely to succeed. The Biology – Cellular and Molecular Concentration includes many of the courses listed in the Pre-Chiropractic Plan; however, students may choose to major in any subject area they wish as long as they also complete the courses required by their chosen D.C. program(s). Additionally, since many chiropractors own their own businesses, students may wish to consider taking business classes as electives and/or combining a science major with a business major or minor.
What are the minimum requirements for a D.C. program?
The minimum requirements listed by the Council on Chiropractic Education for admission to chiropractic school are as follows:
- complete the equivalent of three academic years of undergraduate study (90 semester hours) at an institution(s) accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or an equivalent foreign agency;
- earn a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
- earn a minimum of 24 semester hours in life and physical science courses, half of which must have a substantive laboratory component;
- include a well-rounded general education program in the humanities and social sciences in their undergraduate education.
What classes at UT Martin should I take as a pre-chiropractic student?
While not an exhaustive list, the following courses are strongly recommended for students considering applying to chiropractic school. Students should always check with their advisor and/or school(s) of choice before deciding which classes to take.
Recommend courses:
- General Chemistry II
- Chemistry 341 Organic Chemistry I
- Chemistry 342 Organic Chemistry II
- English 111 English Composition I
- English 112 English Composition II
- Physics 211 College Physics I
- Physics 212 College Physics II OR Exercise Science 430 Exercise Physiology
- Psychology 101 Introduction to Psychology
- Statistics (Human Performance 440 Evaluation in Human Performance OR Math 210 Elementary Statistics and Probability OR Psychology 315 Experimental Psychology I)
What else should I know about chiropractic education?
As mentioned above, most D.C. programs require a minimum of 90 hours of pre-professional coursework. Not all D.C. programs require a baccalaureate degree; however students who have earned a degree may be viewed as more competitive than those who have not.
Most D.C. programs require direct observation of the field prior to admission. Direct observation hours can be gained through volunteering and shadowing a licensed chiropractor.
Grades are extremely important; most D.C. programs require a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 and applicants must demonstrate that all required course work will be completed with a grade of C or better prior to admission.
Where can I find out more about the field of chiropractic and chiropractic education?
- Association of Chiropractic Colleges http://www.chirocolleges.org/
- American Chiropractic Association student page https://www.acatoday.org/students
- Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) website http://www.cce-usa.org/
Chiropractic medicine is concerned with the well-being and health of the nervous and spinal system. In the past, it was considered to be an alternative treatment. In Canada today, it is becoming increasingly mainstream and popular. There are several reasons why the need for chiropractors is growing in Canada today.
- Rising aging population
- Poor health habits
- Increasingly stressful lifestyle among Canadians
Individuals who want to be chiropractors must believe in and learn the discipline’s philosophy. After understanding the basic principles, these professionals must learn to apply it. They also need skills and knowledge, and some of this will be taught in college. However, most of it will be acquired individually. This is a good career for those who want to help people.
Getting into Chiropractor School
People who want to be chiropractors need to finish seven years of higher education prior to licensure. To enter a chiropractic school, an individual must have a GPA of 2.50 or above in their last three full years of undergraduate study in Canada.
Schools also require official academic transcripts from their applicants. These documents must be sent directly from the school where the applicant studied. Applicants must spend three years in university. These years are focused on studying basic science and social subjects as prerequisites such as the following.
- Physics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- A half course of introductory psychology
- One and one half units in humanities
- Mathematics
After finishing their prerequisites, students will spend four to five years studying chiropractic medicine. The chiropractic medicine curriculum is very rigid. It is divided into pre-clinical and clinical sciences. The pre clinical phase runs for two years. There are a number of subjects taken during this time.
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology and Pharmacology
- Public Health
- Dietetics and Nutrition
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Anatomy
- Pathology
- Microbiology
Additionally, the typical credit load of a chiropractic student could reach 23 to 26 credit hours. This is much heavier than other undergraduate programs. Regular undergraduates only have to take 15 credit hours per semester.
The clinical phase of chiropractic study lasts for three trimesters. It focuses solely on chiropractic performance-based courses. There are several subjects discussed in this phase.
- General Physical Examination
- Differential Diagnosis
- History-taking Skills
- Laboratory Diagnosis
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Rheumatology
- Orthopaedics
- Eyes, Ears Throat and Nose Studies
- Basic Geriatrics
- Basic Paediatrics
- Basic Dermatology
- Basic Obstetrics and Gynaecology
In the advanced clinical phase, interns will apply and integrate their classroom knowledge. This is their chance to refine their techniques and diagnostic skills. They also learn how to manage different kinds of patients. Interns will have the chance to acquire knowledge about the basics of practice management that includes the following.
- Patient education
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Ethical business practices
The advanced clinical phase is also devoted to various internship programs that include these subjects.
- Radiology Laboratory Clerkship
- Clinical Laboratory Clerkship
- Chiropractic Internship
- Clinical X-ray Reporting and Interpretation
- Advanced Diagnostic Imaging
Internships
Some schools such as the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College require a 12 month internship. This internship includes the college’s external and internal clinics. Internships are done under the supervision of highly qualified chiropractic faculty. These teachers come from different disciplines such as psychology, medicine, biological science, pathology and chiropractic medicine.
Upon graduation, students will receive the title Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine. This internship experience includes the following.
- Diagnosis of Patients
- Clinical Assessment
- Referral and Treatment Protocols
Accreditation
There are only two accredited chiropractic programs in Canada.
- The Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto
- L’ Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres
The Council on Chiropractic Education of Canada (www.chirofed.ca) is the organization responsible for the accreditation of schools that teach chiropractic medicine.
Licensure
In order to obtain a license, students must finish a 12 month clinical internship. They also must get through the Canadian National Examination for Chiropractic Licensure. The Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board offers this exam. It is usually held in June, February and October of each year.
After passing the examinations, students receive a registration certificate. This certificate is given by the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board. Even though it is recognized by all provincial licensing boards, every province has its own unique requirements. Candidates must contact the province licensing board where they would like to practice in order to determine licensing requirements. In addition to successfully passing the examinations, provincial regulatory boards also require the following.
- Criminal screening
- Passing an ethics and legislation examination
- Letters of reference
- Interview
Chiropractic School Program Length Chart
Maintaining the License
Chiropractors must enrol in continuing education and post graduation courses to maintain their license. These provincial licensing agencies sometimes act in accordance with government policy and other times their own established mandatory continuing education programs. Across Canada, these vary from one province to another.
Chiropractic Specializations
Chiropractic Sports Sciences
Chiropractic Sports sciences is a specialty that provides the following services.
- Rehabilitation
- Conservative Management
- Performance Optimization for Athletes
Chiropractic School Program Length Table
Chiropractors in this specialty have also made contributions to athletic health maintenance, enhanced rehabilitation after injury, therapy, trauma management and protective gear in contact sports. Spinal injury prevention is one of the most important things that sports chiropractors help with.
Chiropractic Orthopaedics
This is a specialization that deals with treating musculoskeletal injuries using non-surgical procedures. This includes manual manipulation of the joints in the extremities and the spine. It also utilizes the following healing methods.
- Electrical muscle stimulation
- Cryotherapy
- Infrared and moist heat
- Targeted massage
- Customized exercise regimens
- Therapeutic ultrasound
Chiropractic Clinical Sciences
This specialization focuses on the politics, research and education affecting chiropractic practice. Those in the field are also involved in the conduct and development of continuing education programs. Additionally, they encourage the study and discussion of current health care trends and research in chiropractic and general health care.
Chiropractic Radiology
Chiropractic radiologists are highly trained and educated to interpret and even order advanced imaging.
They also sometimes perform imaging exams such as the following.
- Diagnostic Ultrasound
- Plain radiographs
- CT Scan
- MRI
Occupational and Physical Rehabilitation
Chiropractic School Program Length
This specialty focuses on helping injured workers get back to work safely. It also focuses on getting injured individuals back to performing their jobs with maximum functional performance. Additionally, occupational and physical rehabilitation chiropractors aim to correct improper work habits with different functional activities. These activities involve specialized repetitive movements designed to prevent injuries and increase muscle strength and flexibility.
Chiropractic Programs In Michigan