Education

Often times, I get asked the question “So what kind of training did you receive to become a Chiropractor”? And I’ve found that some people have a misconception as to what’s involved. Or, others that might be contemplating taking on the challenge to become a Chiropractor don’t understand the dedication it takes. So here’s the story on the journey one takes to become part of the third largest health care profession in the United States.

Undergraduate

There are specific prerequisite courses which all accredited chiropractic colleges require you to have in order to be considered a candidate. The courses required generally follow the first two years of a general science degree, requiring calculus, biology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry and usually English and other arts credits. All colleges require a minimum of 30 credits with at the very minimum a 2.5 GPA in the aforementioned courses to apply (Generally a 3.0 GPA is considered competitive). However, more and more colleges and State Boards have been moving towards requiring an undergraduate degree not only as an entrance requirement but in some cases as a licensing requirement. Most recently, statistics have reflected this in that a greater percentage of first year chiropractic students begin there education with an undergraduate degree.

Entrance Requirements

Apart from the academic requirements that all chiropractic colleges require, each college has its own set of requirements used to evaluate potential candidates. Usually, a written statement of purpose and other written essays are required. Other qualities which are looked upon for a successful candidate are previous volunteer or other life experiences and membership in different clubs, etc. Some colleges require you to at least visit the school and sit down with some members of the entrance committee for an informal meeting, other colleges require a formal interview. As of yet there is no entrance exam required however, one is in the works, much like the MCAT for medical school, the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners is doing some preliminary testing to develop the CCAT or Chiropractic College Admissions Test.

Chiropractic College

Once accepted to Chiropractic College, the real work begins, with a 4 year journey! To say that the course work is rigorous is an understatement. The first two years of study are heavy into the basic sciences. I remember one of my professors saying, “Chiropractic College is like drinking from a fire hose”. The third and fourth years are focused on the clinical sciences, radiology/bone pathology, biomechanics, neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment, adjustive technique, patient management. Practical training also begins with providing care on campus in the student clinic.

In fourth year, students continue their practical training in their respective outpatient clinics, taking care of the public. Most colleges also have programs where students do rotations at offsite clinics to vary their experiences. Some students can become eligible to also pursue a community based internship where they work with a doctor in private practice for a period of time before graduating. Upon graduation, chiropractors pursue associate positions with experienced doctors, start their own practice or enter post-graduate residency programs.

Licensing

There are two levels of licensing in Chiropractic, at the National level and at the State/Provincial level in North America.

National Board Exams

The national board exams in the United States are conducted by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. There are 4 parts. Part I is taken between the first and second years of school and is based on the basic sciences. Part II and III are usually taken between the third and fourth year and are clinically based. Part IV is entirely a practical exam, testing patient scenarios and radiology diagnosis.

In Canada, the same process is undertaken by the Canadian Board of Chiropractic Examiners and there are 2 parts to the exam a written which lasts 3 days and a practical, each of which are considered absolutely grueling, to say the least.

State / Provincial Licensing

Each State has different laws pertaining to the practice of chiropractic. Thus, upon passing the national boards, graduates are eligible to take the Jurisprudence/Ethics exam specific to the State/Province they’d like to practice in.

Continuing Education

As part of requirements for re-licensure by each State/Province, a Doctor of Chiropractic must take a certain number of continuing education hours to keep up to date with the latest developments in chiropractic as well as in general health care.

Post – Graduate Training

Apart from the education in chiropractic, some doctors choose to pursue additional board certification in a specific area of study. These diplomate programs are offered by the various colleges and can be done in orthopedics, neurology, radiology, sports, rehabilitation, pediatrics and applied chiropractic science. Most of the programs are designed such that you can attain board certification while you are in private practice and all of them are roughly 3 years long.

Comparison of Curriculum Hours in Chiropractic College and Medical School:

Subjects
Class Hours Chiropractic Students
Subjects
Class Hours Medical Students
Gross Anatomy I-III
288
Gross Anatomy
190
Spinal Anatomy
24
Histology
84
Histology
144
Medical Biochemistry
145
Biochemistry
120
Human Physiology
149
Physiology
132
Developmental Biology
40
Neurophysiology
72
Neuroanatomy
84
Neuroanatomy
96
Nutrition
20
Embryology
24
Opthamology
36
Nutrition
48
Otolarynology
72
Clinical Nutrition
24
Medical Psychology
49
Physical Diagnosis
144
Introduction to Psychiatry
43
Clinical Psychology
36
General Pathology
68
General Pathology
120
Medical Genetics
32
Clinical Pathology
36
Cardiopulmunary Resuscitation
Genetics
48
Introduction to Medical Microbiology
90
CPR / Emergency Care
24
Introduction to Public Health
26
Microbiology & Public Health
72
Pubic Health and Epidemiology
40
Clinical Microbiology & Public Health
84
Immunology
35
Toxicology/Pharmacology
48
Pharmacology
72
Dermatology & Infectious Disease
24
Pathophysiology of Skin/Bone/CT
69
Clinical Lab
60
Blood/Reticuloendothelial Pathophys.
117
Correlative & Differential Diagnosis
48
Pathophysiology of CNS/Muscle/Sensory Organs
158
Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis/ Treat
252
Neurology and Neurosurgery
216
Physiotherapy
120
Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology
123
Soft Tissue Therapies
48
Respiratory Pathophysiology
79
Gastroenterology Diagnosis/Treatment
60
Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
117
Cardiorespiratory Diagnosis/Treatment
60
Endorcrine Pathophysiology
43
Genitourinary Survey
60
Reproductive Pathophysiology
55
Obstetrics
36
Renal Pathophysiology
117
Jurisprudence & Ethics
24
Law and Medicine
24
Radiographic Anatomy I-III
84
Radiographic Diagnosis
24
Bone Pathology I-IV
120
Radiographic Report Writing
12
Roentgenometrics I, II
24
Radiographic Technique I-III
120
Patient/Practice Management I-III
84
Clinical Pediatrics
24
Child Health (CON 620, lecture)
48
Clinical Geriatrics
24
Biomechanics & Palpation I-IV
204
Adjustive Technique I-IX
408
Eye/Ear/Nose/Throat
24
Narrative Report Writing
24
Radiology Report Writing
12
Clinical Research Methodology I, II
60
Principles of Chiropractic I-V
96
Minor Surgery/Proctology
36
Total Class Hours
3732
Total Class Hours
2465
Patient Evaluation
192
Clinical Observation
60
Third Year Medicine
432
Clinical Phase I - III
180
Child Health
384
Clinic Phase IV A-C
765
Psychiatry Clinical Clerkship
216
Obstetrics & Gynecology
216
Surgery
432
Special Programmed Instruction
540
Total Clinic Hours
1005
Total Hospital Hours
2412
Total D.C. Requirements
4737
Total M.D. Requirements
4877