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Overview of Chiropractic Degree Program

Chiropractic is the area of study and practice that provides healthcare solutions to certain ailments through the use of manipulations of muscles and the human skeletal structure. Chiropractic schools help professionals become educated in this field who will work to reset bones and alleviate muscle tension in order to reduce various pains and aches, include headaches. Chiropractors usually maintain their own offices, or work within a clinical or group setting.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$81,210

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

54.35%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

32,960

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Chiropractic Schools

Exceptional resources are offered to students who desire to pursue a career in chiropractic care at UBSC since 1991. University of Bridgeport’s School of Chiropractic’s core value is what allows them to maintain a high caliber education for their students. Their graduates often lead to success. This University continues in enhancing their facilities. They have robust clinical experiences and treat the public in their humble UB clinics. 

Acceptance Rate

54.58

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Via quality academics, scholarship and service, the Department of Chiropractic of D’Youville College has been successful in preparing future and existing doctors of chiropractic. Some became health care practitioners, spinal specialists, while others have significant roles among the health professions.  This College offers two pathways to earn the doctor of Chiropractic degree, it can be through dual degree or through professional program. In a dual degree program, you will earn a bachelor’s degree and doctoral degree in seven years while in a professional program, you can complete your degree in 3.5 years or less. 

Acceptance Rate

88.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Students at Life University consistently rank in the top 10 scores for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners.  In addition to the academic accolades, Life University is also known as one of the largest Chiropractic education program. Students under this program keenly investigate the processes of the human body in top-of-line facilities with unmatched resources. They are also guided to have a thorough grasp of the theoretical groundings of vitalism. They deeply understand that the body is a wonderful organism that is conscious, self-developing, self-maintaining and self- healing. 

Acceptance Rate

95.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

The Doctor of Chiropractic program at Parker University shares their strong belief in serving others with compassion and humility. They manifest their sincerity in their belief through deeds- they continuously seek resources to support scholarships. They set emphasis on business training, where students learn how to set up a successful practice, analyze performance statistics, develop acquisition plans, and calculate finances. They instill the research first mindset and help their students gain skills that they can use beyond the classroom.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

If you want to be a licensed doctor of Chiropractic, Logan University can lend you a hand. Their degree program in Chiropractic is an accelerated 10-trimester program which is an effective way to help you become competent, patient-centered, ethical, and caring. They will help you acquire a variety of required techniques to specialize your skillset. You will receive hands-on experience on real patients through local internships and international “Clinic Abroad” programs that they offer.

Acceptance Rate

66.67

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Keiser University-Ft. Lauderdale offers a degree in Doctor of Chiropractic which is tailored to provide a rigorous professional program which consists of ten semesters of study. They paired traditional lectures with small group learning, conferences and seminars, and experiential and laboratory sessions. Clinical training opportunities at a number of sites are provided. All of the coursework they provide features case-based relevancy for chiropractic practice as preparation in attaining excellence in spine care.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Cleveland University-Kansas City teaches their students that when it comes to health, don’t just settle for good enough. They have a mindset of, you control your own destiny and your life’s work. With that spirit, this University will give you control over your healthcare education. Standard and accelerated versions of degree and certifications is what CUKC will provide.

Acceptance Rate

100

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Northwestern Health Sciences University claims that your success in your future career in chiropractic care starts with them. At their University, you’ll find and discover an evidence-based curriculum which combines the newest science and a person-centered methodology. From day one onwards, you’ll receive a hands-on and read-world education. You will be given the chance to work in clinics and interact with professionals and learn how to create patient care plans. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

What Does a Chiropractor Do?

A chiropractor is a licensed provider of an alternative medicine is concerned with the diagnosis and remedy for mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system includes head, muscles, cartilage, joints, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue. In the world of chiropractic medicine, these types of mechanical disorders or alignment issues affect the nervous system. The most common type of treatment provided by chiropractors in the United States is known as manual therapy in which providers manually manipulate the spine and knead muscles & soft tissue.

What Chiropractic Training Will I Receive?

In virtually every case, a college or university offering chiropractic programs will be 3-4 years or around 4,200 cumulative student hours with approximately a quarter of that time spent performing supervised clinical training. During a students clinical experience, they will be exposed to spinal adjustment techniques, diagnosis, and spinal assessment.

In school, students will take anatomy classes where substantive time will be spent performing human cadaver dissection. Learning of this type is designed to help students blend the lectures in anatomy with gross anatomy (seen with the naked eye) to provide real-time, immediate learning opportunities for students. Other important core classes a chiropractor will take include biochemistry, physiology, patient management, biology, neurological disorders, nutrition, internal disorders, and physical rehabilitation.

Chiropractic Schools

Students completing an accredited chiropractic program (found below) will earn a DC or Doctor of Chiropractic. Many will choose to continue campus schooling with postgraduate programs to earn additional credentials based on program length. These credentials and specific training modules provide chiropractic students with the opportunity to expand their operation or specialize in a number of fields. Examples of areas of specialization offered from chiropractic colleges for licensed chiropractors may be built on the following techniques:

  • Thompson Technique
  • Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT)
  • Upper Cervical
  • Instrument-Aided Soft Tissue Mobilization
  • Flexion-Distraction Technique
  • Gonstead System
  • Applied Kinesiology
  • Advance Release Technique (ART)
  • Advanced Activator Methods Technique
  • Myofascial Technique
  • Reinert Diversified Technique

Do Chiropractors Need to Be Licensed?

Students graduating from an accredited chiropractic college or university in the United State will receive a Doctor of Chiropractic or DC designation. Upon receiving a DC, graduates will be able to seek licensure in their state of jurisdiction. All chiropractic colleges in the U.S. are accredited by The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Licensing requirements for chiropractors varies by state but all DCs are required to successful pass the NBCE (National Board of Chiropractic Examiners).

The NBCE test includes sections basic sciences, clinical sciences, a practical exam, and clinical case studies. After passing the NBCE test, many students will need to take and pass a state-specific law test for chiropractors. Continuing education is a key piece of meeting your states licensure requirement for chiropractors found through the health department or board of chiropractic examiners website.

Chiropractic Colleges & Universities

Individuals studying within the chiropractic field will take courses in a variety of subjects, including human anatomy and physiology, a variety of sciences, and various healthcare related courses to become familiar with ailments and treatments. Some chiropractors may choose to augment their treatments through the use of alternative medicines and massage therapy, taking additional courses to be able to offer such additions. Students will earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree which is a postgraduate degree that typically takes four years to complete.

Chiropractic Curriculum

An integrative set of curriculum may will vary from chiropractic schools to chiropractic schools for a student. That being said, a core set of chiropractic academic expectations can be garnered from the largest chiropractic colleges in the country. Regardless of the year or the school you attend, services and student program options will likely mirror a core set of courses. Course work from the laudable Life Chiropractic College to Palmer College will vary slightly; however, student classes will most likely include:

A chiropractic school may require a student to apply to a program, followed by a commitment to education lasting for four years on campus. Colleges that keep current with trends in the field and maintain clean and up to date facilities in order to receive practical training alongside more traditional classroom education are generally the most desirable. Top ranked chiropractic colleges that also produce students that have high passage rate on state exams for licensure are also generally more preferable to future employers.

Featured: NWHSU & Chiropractic College West

Both Chiropractic College West and NWHSU main campus have been found to be top-tier chiropractic schools. The program strength coupled with teaching team and industry reviews have propped up both programs into the national conversation for any serious student. As you gather admissions information from chiropractic schools, consider Chiropractic College West and NWHSU. As a bonus, we have also received incredibly positive student and alumni reviews from the following colleges: Life Chiropractic College, Texas Chiropractic College, York Chiropractic College, and the chiropractic Palmer College. Admission requirements for the colleges will differ

Chiropractic Job Outlook

Job growth for chiropractor students is expected to increase greatly over the next decade as more and more individuals seek out their services in lieu of surgical or medical treatments to relieve certain types of ailments and pains. An aging population will increase the demand for chiropractic treatment services over the next decade.

The American Chiropractic Association or ACC was founded to help promote the interests of Doctor of Chiropractic in the United States, as well as maintaining high standards for health sciences professionals within the field. The quality information and services provided by the ACC can save chiropractic students hours and frustration. Additionally, the International Chiropractic Association (ICA) provides members with unique services, tools, and resources to help advance the field and add substantive credibility to this profession.

States with the Highest Number of Chiropractors

  • California 2,970
  • Texas 2,150
  • Florida 2,070
  • New York 1,840
  • Illinois 1,650

Best Paying States for Chiropractors

  1. Rhode Island $134,270
  2. New Jersey $123,310
  3. Delaware $116,650
  4. Alaska $112,430
  5. Tennessee $107,310

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