Please note the importance of advising. The information provided in this brochure and in the accompanying links below is not a substitute for conversations with your advisor! consult the Health Profesions Advisement Office to develop a plan that suits your own strengths, interests, and background for the pre-health profession of interest, this will include the examination the pre-requites for the pre-health program of choice. Note that the stronger you perform in your undergraduate prerequisite coursework, the more competitive you will be for graduate school (This information is provided as a guide and given that its details may vary, students are advised to contact respective program’s website or resources from the respective associations).
Chiropractors believe that these imbalances affect general health via the nervous system, and while they have some similarities to primary care providers, they are recognized as a medical specialty, using manual manipulation, health and lifestyle counseling, and other skills to facilitate optimal wellness. A Doctor of Chiropractic Degree program will prepare graduates to serve the healthcare community as Chiropractic practitioner, educator, researcher, administrator, whether with a fitness facility, sports team, and hospital or in general practice. A Chiropractic school focuses on teaching to diagnosis and treat mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. The Doctor of Chiropractic Degree programs can be focused on a curriculum in basic sciences, chiropractic technique, chiropractic philosophy, business management, and will be evaluated to demonstrate clinical competency.
ACCORDING TO A NATIONAL BOARD OF CHIROPRACTIC EXAMINERS SURVEY:
- The typical chiropractor spends between 30-40 hours per week involved in practice.
- More than half of the respondents have been in practice at least 15 years with a significant amount of job satisfaction.
- The ratio of men to women in practice is about 4:1, but the number of women in the profession has been growing significantly.
- In the average week, chiropractors typically treat patients with mainly musculoskeletal conditions. Most commonly, this involves various diagnoses of low back and neck pain, but also includes a variety of neurological problems, joint problems (such as osteoarthritis) and muscular problems (such as strain).
- Chiropractors also treat patients with various systemic problems such as hypertension or diabetes.
- Many chiropractors specialize, tailoring their practice toward managing pediatric or obstetric patients, or focusing on sports or the management of internal disorders.
- Many chiropractors are now using electronic health records to do so; properly documenting patient records may take up to 25% of the chiropractor’s daily time.
CHIROPRACTIC SCHOOLS
Below are a list of chiropractic schools throughout the United States.
Life West, founded in 1976, is a leader in chiropractic education. The college offers the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic, with a curriculum firmly based in philosophy and technique. Life West is located near San Francisco, CA, and is home to over 400 current students. The College located in Hayward California is accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education. Life Chiropractic College (West) is a chiropractic college located in Hayward, California, that focuses on providing exceptional chiropractic graduates who combine natural and holistic medicine with an in-depth understanding of human physiology.
The Southern California University of Health Sciences is accredited by both the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and by the Council on Chiropractic Education. The Los Angeles College of Chiropractic was the first chiropractic institution to break away from traditional instructional methods and remains internationally renowned as the pioneer and leader in innovative chiropractic education.
The College's innovative curriculum was the first to reduce actual lecture hours while increasing lab time. Students spend substantial time in problem-based, small group discussions where they learn basic science concepts through clinical case studies. Interns at Los Angeles College of Chiropractic begin their clinical internship in the 7th of 10 trimesters and spend an entire year in the outpatient health center system, with over 25 different community-based rotation experiences and a preceptor program available.
The Doctor of Chiropractic at Cleveland College offers students a choice between a 12 trimester or 9 trimester courses of study. The standard course of study leading to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree is comprised of 12 trimesters of four months each for a total of 48 months or 4 calendar years. The accelerated course of study (the same coursework as the 12-trimester course) consists of nine trimesters of four months each for a total of 36 months or 3 calendar years, which is the minimum amount of time required to complete the degree program. The maximum time allowed for completion of the program is 18 trimesters of enrollment (nine academic years; six calendar years).
The Doctor of Chiropractic degree program at Palmer College offers you a rigorous academic education and hands-on learning in both classroom and clinical settings. You’ll have the opportunity to learn from chiropractic researchers at the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research who are actively performing leading-edge studies and publishing their work in prestigious, peer-reviewed healthcare journals. Your classroom studies will be enhanced by opportunities to attend seminars, join technique clubs, register for elective technique classes, and participate in continuing education programs. You can earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree at any of the three Palmer College campuses.
Additional Resources
The Association of Chiropractic Colleges is a leadership organization of chiropractic educational programs in the United States and Canada that serves to advance excellence in education by leading a mutually supportive chiropractic academic community, and by supporting student learning, research and evidence informed practice, additional information can be found by visiting the following site: Home (chirocolleges.org)
Chiropractic Schools in the USA and International Universities. Valuable information can be obtained by visiting the following sites:
Top Chiropractic Degrees & Graduate Programs 2021+ (gradschools.com)
Cal State LA's Health Professions Advisement Office encourages all pre-health students, whether you're just starting out or you're ready to apply, to frequently visit HPAO. The office offers one-on-one advising that's tailored to pre-health students. You can get advising on prerequisite courses, extracurricular opportunities, and personalized help throughout the entire application process. You are encouraged to join the HPAO Pre-Health Organization Club where you will meet with students of the same career persuasion.
Application Process and 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.
Current entrance requirements for the Doctor of Chiropractic degree program are as follows: 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.
Pre-Requisite COurses at Cal State LA
Successful completion of all General Education Requirements
- BIOL 1100 - Principles of Biology I
- BIOL 1200 - Principles of Biology II
- CHEM 1100 - General Chemistry I
- CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry II
- PHYS 1100 - Physics or PHYS 2100 - General Physics I: Mechanics
- PHYS 1200 - Physics or PHYS 2200 - General Physics II: Electromagnetism and Circuits
- PSY 1500 - Introductory Psychology