About Us

Dr. Cleveland with a group of chiropractic students in their lab coats

Pioneering health education for more than 100 years

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) began as a chiropractic college in 1922, its roots planted by pioneers in the profession. The institution is proud to be recognized as one of the oldest nonprofit chiropractic colleges in the nation. Dr. Carl S. Cleveland III, president, a fourth-generation chiropractor, and the grandson of the founders, leads the University.

Degrees for today’s healthcare careers

CUKC has expanded their degrees to meet a wider range of healthcare careers while ensuring that chiropractic remains a cornerstone program.

In 2015, CUKC completed the final phase of its transition to University status. Building on the success of its existing healthcare degree programs, CUKC continues to evolve by adding new health sciences programs to meet changing needs.

Hands-on-training and technology focused classrooms

CUKC boasts a retreat-like campus setting on 34 picturesque acres in suburban Overland Park, Kansas, part of the Kansas City metropolitan community. More than 100 years of history, tradition, knowledge and achievement went into the development of CUKC’s state-of-the-art technology classrooms, labs and patient-care facilities, all of which lead to a better kind of healthcare.

Educating healthcare leaders is CUKC’s mission

At CUKC, everything is connected to well-being. The institution’s mission is to provide strong student-centered academic and professional education with a focus in the areas of life sciences and health promotion through education, scholarship, and service.

The CUKC vision is to be recognized and respected as a leader in health promotion.

The CUKC mission is to provide strong student-centered academic and professional education with a focus in the areas of life sciences and health promotion through education, scholarship and service.

Integrity/Accountability

Responsible and ethical behavior
Honest and open communication
Responsibility for our individual actions

Excellence/Service

Highest quality in teaching, scholarship and service
Embrace compassion

Diversity/Respect

Treat all individuals with dignity and respect
Encourage an environment that attracts, nurtures and supports diversity
Sensitivity to differences in learning styles, ideas and beliefs

Collaboration/Teamwork

Partnerships, interaction and relationships
Cooperative efforts to achieve our common goals

Health/Well-being

Encourage activities and behaviors that contribute to a healthy lifestyle
Chiropractic care is essential for optimizing health and well-being

Innovation/Creativity

Intellectual curiosity
Enthusiastic pursuit of new ideas

The Doctor of Chiropractic program mission lies in the areas of education, scholarship and service and in the advancement of chiropractic.

The education mission of the institution is to prepare competent, entry-level doctors of chiropractic as primary healthcare providers and to offer continuing education for doctors of chiropractic.
The scholarship mission of the institution is to conduct research and scholarly activities in areas related to chiropractic education and healthcare, and to collaborate with other institutions and healthcare providers in scholarly activities.
The service mission of the institution is to provide healthcare and outreach services to the community, support services to alumni and other healthcare providers, and volunteer services to civic and professional organizations.

The CUKC Undergraduate Studies program mission is to provide a respected and recognized undergraduate studies program specializing in life sciences and health promotion preparing graduates to continue in health-related education programs.

The mission of the CUKC Master of Science in Health Education and Promotion program is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and foundation to become leaders and educators in health promotion. Graduates are eligible for examination as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).