After serious consideration and some soul searching, you’ve determined that a career as a doctor of chiropractic might be right for you. Nice work! Now what? Just like everything else in life, getting what you want takes focus and commitment, and getting into chiropractic school is no different. Now you need to know how to get it!
To become a chiropractor, you must attend graduate school, which means you’ll need just over three years of schooling after completing your undergraduate degree. Some undergraduate degrees offer a solid foundation for chiropractic.
Human biology, kinesiology and exercise science, and similar programs are great degrees to launch you into chiropractic school. But if you have an undergraduate degree that may not seem ideal for chiropractic, don’t be alarmed. That’s where working ahead will pay off for you
The key is to start preparing as soon as possible to make sure you get started on the right track. Develop a plan and prepare yourself academically to begin your work for the great career you’ve chosen. Put this plan in motion far in advance of when you want to start school. Not only will it save you time and money, but it will also help you position yourself more quickly for a successful career as a doctor of chiropractic.
Step 1: The Earlier, the Better
The application process for chiropractic school is like any other graduate-level program, and that means the sooner you start, the better off you’ll be. Applying a year in advance is ideal, and some students apply as early as their first year of undergraduate study. The extra time cushion will allow you to regroup if you experience any setbacks along the way with classes.
Step 2: Know Where You Stand Academically
When it comes to academics, your transcripts must show that you have the ability to not only gain entrance to a doctor of chiropractic degree program, but also to complete it. Here are some common admission requirements for chiropractic colleges.
If you are in good standing with the bullet points above, or already have a four-year degree, it may be time to contact an admissions advisor at your preferred school to get your chiropractic degree moving forward.
However, if you don’t have the required academic background to begin work on your D.C. degree, it’s even more important that you contact the Office of Admissions at the school.
Step 3: An Advisor is Key
Since not all prospective chiropractic students will meet the requirements listed above, there are options to help you stay on track.
Your admissions advisor can determine what you lack academically, and develop a plan of action for you. Chiropractic schools typically offer undergraduate degree programs to help you meet your prerequisite coursework requirements. You can apply to the undergraduate college first to fulfill whatever requirements you have left, and then pursue admittance to the chiropractic program.
You may be able to work on your chiropractic degree while completing your bachelor’s, which saves time and money.
Your admissions advisor is an invaluable resource to help you work through the application process. They know better than anyone else what you need to do to gain acceptance to the school, and can offer you guidance based on your specific situation.
The CUKC Chiropractic Degree Program
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a private, nonprofit, healthcare-focused university located in Overland Park, Kansas, a suburb of nearly 190,000 people within the Kansas City metropolitan area.
The University’s College of Chiropractic has been a national leader since 1922. CUKC is also the first U.S. chiropractic college to have two Force Sensing Tables in the adjusting laboratory on campus, which is helping students to gain chiropractic adjustment skills and confidence.
Our team of admissions advisors can help answer your questions about becoming a chiropractor and get you on the path toward becoming the difference in health care.
Eager to know more? Get answers to the question “why become a chiropractor” by requesting a free copy of the ebook, Your Complete Guide to the Chiropractic Profession today!
