By Michael Dorausch, D.C.
What courses do I have to take in order to be accepted into the chiropractor program? Can I get my pre-chiropractic education at my local community college? I’ve already taken biology, organic chemistry, two social science courses and a psychology class, what else is required to get into chiropractic school? I already have a Masters degree in exercise physiology, can I start chiropractic training right away, or will I require other coursework? These are the types of questions I receive from patients, student e-mails, and other people I meet thinking about a career in chiropractic.
I am not operating a chiropractor college, and I don’t have all the details related to today’s educational requirements for admission into the DC program, but I’ll share what I’ve got. I receive about an e-mail a day on my chiropractor salary article, and about twice as many related to advice about chiropractic schools. As always, I advise contacting chiropractic schools directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information, but I went through some materials I have on chiropractor education, and listed here are general prerequisites I believe all students will be required to have.
– 6 semester or 9 quarter hours of English Language Skills
– 3 semester or 4.5 quarter hours of Psychology
– 15 semester or 22.5 quarter hours of additional Humanities or Social Sciences
– 6 semester or 9 quarter hours of Biological Sciences (The Biological Science requirement must be met with two or more courses with unduplicated content, and include pertinent, related laboratory.)
– 12 semester or 18 quarter hours of Chemistry (At least 3 semester or 4.5 quarter hours of chemistry must be general or inorganic chemistry, at least 6 semester or 9 quarter hours must be organic chemistry and/or biochemistry and 3 semester or 4.5 quarter hours of another chemistry class accepted by the admitting institution with unduplicated content.
– At least 6 semester or 9 quarter hours of the chemistry courses must include pertinent related laboratory work which covers the range of material presented in the didactic portions of the courses.)
– 6 semester or 9 quarter hours of Physics with unduplicated content (of which one must include a pertinent related laboratory that covers the range of material presented in the didactic portions of the course) or 3 semester or 4.5 quarter hours in physics (with laboratory) and 3 semester or 4.5 quarter hours in either biomechanics, kinesiology, statistics or exercise physiology.
Another question I get is… Can I complete my prerequisites for the doctor of chiropractic program at my selected chiropractic school?
Some of the schools offer sessions where you can complete course hours and DC degree prerequisites. For example, Life University offers two five-week sessions where you can complete 20 quarter hours of science prerequisites per quarter. For the educationally motivated, you can take all eight classes in the accelerated program, and you can complete all the signs prerequisite courses in two quarters. Prerequisite education can go a lot faster than you may think.
Finally, here’s a resource of related articles in the areas of education and chiropractor schooling.
Things you may consider when choosing a chiropractic school
Chiropractic as a Mid Life Career Change
Can You offer Advice about Chiropractic Schools?
Paying off your chiropractic student loans
Questions About Practicing Chiropractic
Chiropractic 101: An Aspiring Chiropractor
Prospective Chiropractic Student Has Questions
Summary of Chiropractic Employment Resources
Chiropractic Questions From Pennsylvania
Also, find chiropractors practicing near you, and see if you can visit their offices. It’s a great way to introduce yourself to practitioners and learn more about the field. Ask where they went to school and see if they have any advice they can offer. That shouldn’t stop when you’re in school either, I’d continue moving forward and meeting with as many in the field as you can, for example when you’re on spring break. Most importantly, have fun!
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