Chiropractic Education

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All Rights Reserved by
Las Colinas Chiropractic, P.C.

 

 

Chiropractic Education
 

Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions.

The typical applicant at a chiropractic college has already acquired nearly four years of pre-medical undergraduate college education, including courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and related lab work.  Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, the requirements become even more demanding — four to five academic years of professional study are the standard.  Because of the hands-on nature of chiropractic, and the intricate adjusting techniques, a significant portion of time is spent in clinical training.

Doctors of chiropractic — who are licensed to practice in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and in many nations around the world — undergo a rigorous education in the healing sciences, similar to that of medical doctors.   In some areas, such as anatomy, physiology, and rehabilitation, they receive more intensive education than most medical doctors or physical therapists.


Curriculum requirements for the Doctor of Chiropractic Degree (DC) in
comparison to the Doctor of Medicine Degree (MD) and the Doctor of
Physical Therapy Degree (DPT)1,2

  Average
Program
Length
Average
Classroom and
Clinical Study
hours Prior to
Graduation*
Advanced
Certification
Available
Chiropractic
Curriculum
4 years 4,820 Yes
Medical
Curriculum
4 years 4,670 Yes
Physical
Therapy
Curriculum
3 years 3,398 Yes

* Does not include hours attributed to post-graduation residency programs.

 

Like other primary health care doctors, chiropractic students spend a significant portion of their curriculum studying clinical subjects related to evaluating and caring for patients.  Typically, as part of their professional training, they must complete a minimum of a one-year clinical-based program dealing with actual patient care.  In total, the curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience.  The course of study is approved by an accrediting agency which is fully recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  This has been the case for more than 25 years.

Before they are allowed to practice, doctors of chiropractic must pass national board examinations and become state-licensed.  Chiropractic colleges also offer post-graduate continuing education programs in specialty fields ranging from sports injuries and occupational health to orthopedics and neurology.  These programs allow chiropractors to specialize in a healthcare discipline or meet state re-licensure requirements.

This extensive education prepares doctors of chiropractic to diagnose health care problems, treat the problems when they are within their scope of practice and refer patients to other health care practitioners when appropriate.

Source: The American Chiropractic Association

 



References

  1. Meeker W, Haldeman H. Chiropractic: A Profession at the Crossroads of Mainstream and Alternative Medicine. Annals of Internal Medicine 2002, Vol 136, No 3.
  2. American Physical Therapy Association. 2005-2006 Fact Sheet, Physical Therapist Education Programs. January 2007


 

Las Colinas Chiropractic
6565 N. MacArthur Blvd., Suite 225
Irving, TX 75039
(972) 401-9100

chiropractor 75039