What to Look for in Your Chiropractic College

When becoming a doctor of chiropractic is your goal, search for the chiropractic college that fits your situation. What the best fit looks like is unique for every chiropractic student. Deciding on the value you place on the various “difference makers” will be up to you.

Here are five difference-makers to evaluate when you visit chiropractic colleges.

Explore These 5 Difference Makers

1. Academics
A doctor of chiropractic degree program – like becoming a medical doctor (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O) or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) – is a professional graduate degree in the healthcare field. Getting through chiropractic college takes careful academic preparation. Once in, the amount of science, anatomy, and biology to master will demand your very best efforts.

For chiropractic colleges, one standard of instructional quality is reflected in the graduation rates for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exam.

Be sure to ask the college’s advisors about NBCE scores, as these will be a reflection of the quality of instruction in the coursework and as well as teaching best practices in patient interactions.

2. Chiropractic College Resources
This difference-maker has more to do with a look and feel rather than something specific. The key to evaluating this aspect is to have some “is this for me” questions in mind:

• Are the buildings, equipment, and facilities in good shape?
• Do advisors talk about scholarship opportunities and expertise in financial aid?
• Are there student groups I’d want to join?
• Do faculty members seem interested in their students’ success?
• Does the chiropractic college encourage shadowing and mentoring opportunities?

3. Quality of Student Services
A chiropractic college that has student success in mind will provide a network of student services.

Examples of student services:

• Access to a comprehensive fitness center. If there’s a facility on campus, it’s a sign the college wants its students to be mentally and physically fit.
• On-campus library. You’ll want to have all the necessary research tools for conducting online literature searches and retrieving full-text articles. Ask about ebook collections and online access to core chiropractic textbooks.
• Dining options. The dining facilities should be on-campus and offer a combination of full-service meals and a mini-market for grab and go items.
• Career counseling. Staff and faculty work with students early and often about career preparation. You’ll want to know about goal setting, mentorships, resume writing, interviewing techniques, business operation basics, etc.
• Other support services range from finding homes and apartments in the surrounding neighborhoods, childcare assistance and daycare options, tutoring services, and staff who know how to navigate financial aid.

4. Up-to-date technology
Your chiropractic college should have full-function X-ray, microbiology, chemistry, cadaver, and histology labs, plus multiple training rooms in which students and practitioners can work together.

Of particular importance is instruction in using Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems, and the college’s implementation of advanced instructional equipment. A good example is Force Sensing Table Technology, which helps students master their psychomotor skills for chiropractic adjusting.

5. Where you’ll live
Your home for the three-plus years needed to become a doctor of chiropractic should be a comfortable, safe place to live. It makes sense to find a chiropractic college located in a city that offers a variety of residential areas, recreation and culture sites, and convenient access to interstate highways.

Consider where you’ll go to chiropractic college a real find if the city or region has a strong reputation in the healthcare field.

The Doctor of Chiropractic Degree at Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC)

When considering the type of health care professional you want to be, remember that a chiropractic education has much to offer:

• A nonpharmaceutical approach to health and wellness
• A commitment to high-quality patient care across the patient’s lifespan
• An emphasis on evidence-based treatments and cost-effectiveness
• Students typically complete their D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic degree) within 3-1/2 years.

Where you earn your Doctor of Chiropractic degree is a highly personal decision. At Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC), you can become the difference in healthcare. CUKC is a private, nonprofit, healthcare-focused university in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, Kansas. The University will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2022; more than one of every 10 chiropractors is a graduate of our College of Chiropractic.

To learn more about the chiropractic profession, download this new, free ebook: Your Complete Guide to the Chiropractic Profession.