Maybe you think you know a lot about chiropractic school…but what if it turns out you don’t? Well, for some high-achieving students, it might mean missing an opportunity to enter a satisfying and rewarding healthcare career. Here are five things you should remember about chiropractic school.
1. Chiropractic School and Medical School Both Have Similarities and Differences
People are sometimes surprised to discover the education received at a chiropractic school (more often referred to as a chiropractic college) has a similar number of hours in classrooms and labs as medical school students – more than 4,200 hours of instruction.
There are differences, of course, because doctors of chiropractic use a non-invasive, non-pharmacological approach to care. The chiropractic philosophy of care centers on preserving and restoring the optimal relationship between the body’s structure, primarily the spine and musculoskeletal system, and physical function, as coordinated by the nervous system.
For instance, chiropractic students receive more training in basic sciences, anatomy, physiology, diagnostic imaging, and nutrition; med students receive more training in public health issues. For details on the chiropractic school curriculum, read this blog.)
The typical chiropractic college uses a year-round trimester schedule, which results in chiropractic students graduating with their Doctor of Chiropractic degree in less than three and one-half years. Graduates will also have up to two years of clinical experience working with patients in student and public-access chiropractic health clinics.
2. You’ll Learn About the Body’s Natural Biologic Ability
There’s a natural biologic ability of the human body to restore and maintain health without introducing prescription medicine.
In chiropractic college, students learn the many ways to relieve interference caused by disturbed joint biomechanics through comprehensive assessment and manual treatments.
And should a chiropractor’s assessment reveal a medical problem, you’ll learn that chiropractors regularly consult with other healthcare professionals or refer patients to physicians so they can get the most appropriate treatment.
3. Doctors of Chiropractic Achieve High Patient Satisfaction
Studies and reports indicate all age groups are increasingly seeking chiropractic care and like having access to a non-drug, non-surgical approach to patient care.
An annual chiropractic study of those who sought relief from neck or back pain showed that 95% of chiropractic patients rated their treatment effective.
The medical community increasingly looks to specialists to help deliver better patient care and drive down costs through earlier, more accurate diagnoses. A doctor of chiropractic is the specialist for conservative care in addressing musculoskeletal pain and conditions.
4. There Are Specific Requirements for Chiropractic School
To become a chiropractor requires being accepted into a chiropractic degree program. The standard for applying is to have at least 90 college credit hours and a cumulative 3.0 GPA. A typical mix of college hours expected for acceptance would include:
As students progress through chiropractic college, they take various parts of a national exam administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE).
5. Chiropractic Colleges Meet National Accreditation Standards
There are only 18 chiropractic schools accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) through its Commission on Accreditation. The Commission is an independent national organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the authority on the quality of training offered by chiropractic colleges.
Before accreditation status can be received or renewed, certain requirements must be met. The CCE Standards under the category of Chiropractic Programs and Institutions evaluates
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a private, nonprofit university specializing in the chiropractic and health sciences. Founded in 1922, more than 11,000 U.S. chiropractors have earned the Doctor of Chiropractic degree from our College of Chiropractic.
The 34-acre CUKC campus is in Overland Park, Kan., a large Kansas City suburb. In 2021, Niche rated Overland Park #4 in the U.S. for “Best Cities to Raise a Family” and #4 for “Best Cities to Live.”
There are multiple pathways to your CUKC Doctor of Chiropractic degree:
There’s never been a better time to learn more about becoming a doctor of chiropractic. Click here to get a free eBook: Your Complete Guide to the Chiropractic Profession.
