Chiropractic

The Chiropractic Centralized Application Service (ChiroCAS)

The ChiroCAS is now open and subsequent enrollment periods for the participating schools listed.

Colleges participating in ChiroCAS are:

• Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College
• Cleveland Chiropractic College, Kansas City Campus
• D'Youville College
• Life University
• Life West College of Chiropractic
• Logan University
• New York Chiropractic College
• Northwestern Health Sciences University
• Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport (Davenport, Iowa)
• Palmer College of Chiropractic, Florida (Port Orange, Fla.)
• Palmer College of Chiropractic, West (San Jose, Calif.)
• Parker University
• Sherman College of Chiropractic
• Texas Chiropractic College
• University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic
• University of Western States, College of Chiropractic

If you wish to apply to one or more of these programs please see the ChiroCAS website.

* Keep checking back as more schools may be joining.

Academic Requirements

Most chiropractic programs require that applicants have at least 3 years of undergraduate education, and an increasing number require a bachelor's degree. In either case, your undergraduate studies must include a prescribed number of prerequisite courses, as defined by the field's accrediting body, the Council on Chiropractic Education.

There are pre-admissions requirements. The following courses should be completed during one's undergraduate education:

D.C. Prerequisites

Candidates for admission must meet certain specific course/credit requirements in the sciences, social sciences and humanities.

Current entrance requirements for the Doctor of Chiropractic degree program are the following:

Effective January 2014, or earlier, at its discretion, the DCP admits students whose goals, abilities, and character are consistent with the DCP's mission, and who have completed 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 with a GPA for these 90 hours of not less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The 90 hours will include a minimum of 24 semester hours in life and physical science courses. These science courses will provide an adequate background for success in the DCP, and at least half of these courses will have a substantive laboratory component. The student's undergraduate preparation also includes a well-rounded general education program in the humanities and social sciences, and other coursework deemed relevant by the DCP for students to successfully complete the DCP curriculum.

In the past all matriculants would have to enter with the following course distribution as stated below. However because of the changes the following is offered only to provide some idea of the range of courses that may be needed. All applicants should check with the individual schools in which they have an interest.

Social Sciences and Humanities

• English Communication and/or English Language Skills: 6 semester hours; 9 quarter hours
• Psychology: 3 semester hours; 4.5 quarter hours
• Social Sciences: 15 semester hours; 22.5 quarter hours

Sciences

• Biological Sciences with corresponding lab*: 6 semester hours; 9 quarter hours
• Chemistry with corresponding lab**: 12 semester hours; 18 quarter hours
• Physics with corresponding lab***: 6 semester hours; 9 quarter hours 

In each of the six distribution areas, no grades below 2.00 on a 4.00 scale may be accepted.

In each of the six areas of coursework, if more than one course is taken to fulfill the requirement, the course contents must be unduplicated.

*The Biological Sciences requirement must include pertinent laboratory experiences.

** At least six semester hours of the chemistry courses must include a corresponding lab. The chemistry requirement may be met with the following

3 semester hours must be General/Inorganic Chemistry

6 semester hours must be Organic and/or Biochemistry

3 semester hours of Chemistry elective

*** Physics with corresponding lab*

Two unduplicated classes, with a corresponding lab -or-
3 semester hours in Physics, with corresponding lab and
3 semester hours in Biomechanics, Kinesiology, Statistics or Exercise Physiology. (Physics I and II with lab are required by certain states).
In the event an institution's transcript does not combine laboratory and lecture grades for a single course grade, the admitting institution may calculate a weighted average of those grades to establish the grade in that science course.

Accredited chiropractic programs last 4 years and lead to a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree. The standard curriculum covers:

• anatomy
• biochemistry
• physiology
• microbiology
• pathology
• public health
• physical, clinical and laboratory diagnosis
• gynecology & obstetrics
• pediatrics
• geriatrics
• dermatology
• otolaryngology
• diagnostic imaging procedures
• psychology
• nutrition/dietetics
• biomechanics
• orthopedics
• neurology
• first aid and emergency procedures
• spinal analysis
• principles and practice of chiropractic
• clinical decision making
• adjustive techniques
• research methods and procedures
• professional practice ethics

Information taken from the Discover Chiropractic website.