Chiropractic Programs (~24 credits of physical/life sciences courses)

A chiropractor is a licensed healthcare professional that emphasizes the body’s ability to heal itself. Treatment typically involves manual therapy, often including spinal manipulation. The purpose of manipulations is to improve joint motion and function. Other forms of treatment, such as exercise and nutrition counseling, may be used as well. The scope of a chiropractor’s practice (the services they are allowed to provide) varies from state to state.

Students pursuing a career as a chiropractor must pursue the Doctor of Chiropractic (DOC) degree. This is typically a four-year graduate degree. There are a limited number of accredited DOC programs, with only 19 in North America and 1 in Connecticut (University of Bridgeport).

The pre-requisites for DOC programs vary. It is important for students to determine the specific requirements for each DOC program they wish to apply to, in consultation with a pre-health advisor. Most chiropractic programs require 24 credits in the physical/life sciences, with the following courses recommended:

• BIO 103/104 General Biology I & II
• BIO 105/106 Anatomy and Physiology I & II
• CHE 110/111 General Chemistry I & II
• CHE 210/211 Organic Chemistry I & II
• PHY 120/121 General Physica I & II

Other Requirements:

Students who intend to apply to Doctor of Chiropractic programs should take the GRE (graduate record examination) prior to applying. The GRE measures three areas in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing.

Applicants must have between 10-200 hours of clinical experience in a variety of physical and/or occupational therapy settings.  This can be in a volunteer or paid capacity.

Grades:
Chiropractic programs typically require a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be considered, with a grade of B- or better in all prerequisite coursework. The average GPA of students admitted to a Doctor of Chiropractic (DOC) program is 3.0 – 3.4.

For more information see the Pre-Chiropractic document

For More Information About Chiropractic Programs, Visit:

Council on Chiropractic Education