Chiropractic medicine is a holistic healthcare practice in which providers rely on evidence-based treatment approaches to promote natural healing and general wellness. Chiropractors specialize in the neuromusculoskeletal system—which encompasses muscles, bones, ligaments, nerves and tendons—and often work to provide treatment options to improve the body’s alignment and support self-healing.
If you are interested in holistic healthcare and passionate about providing patients with comprehensive, evidence-based care, then you may be well-suited to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree program. Dive into the details of this program and find out if it is the right fit for you.
What Is a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree?
The Doctor of Chiropractic degree is a postgraduate degree program designed for students who want to become licensed chiropractors in their state. According to WebMD, all states require chiropractors to hold a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, which helps prepare them to pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exam.
While chiropractors are not medical doctors, they are still considered to be doctors. A Doctor of Chiropractic degree program covers many topics that would be included in a medical degree program, giving students a solid understanding of the human body and the nervous system.
Core Principles and Philosophy
A Doctor of Chiropractic degree focuses on the philosophy that the body can heal itself through strategic, evidence-based care. Throughout this degree program, core principles emphasized include:
- The promotion of evidence-based healthcare.
- High ethical standards in order to improve the patient care experience.
- Interprofessional collaboration and practice, allowing chiropractors to become valued members of the overall care team.
Wellness and health maintenance take center stage in the Doctor of Chiropractic degree program, highlighting the importance of evidence-based, holistic healthcare to provide patients with the best possible outcomes.
Choosing a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree Program
As you begin discovering how to get a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, you should know what to look for in the programs that are available. Most importantly, you want to select a Doctor of Chiropractic degree program from a university that is accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). At Keiser University Graduate School, we are proud to be a CCE-accredited institution, allowing us to provide our students with a relevant and rewarding Doctor of Chiropractic degree program.
Below are other factors to consider as you choose a program that is right for you:
Student Services and Faculty
As you compare programs, study the student services available within the program and the faculty that will be guiding you throughout your courses. This is a rigorous, involved graduate degree program, so it is essential to select a university that attracts and retains the most qualified faculty members in the chiropractic care industry.
Time Commitment and Program Length
The Doctor of Chiropractic degree is a full-time program that includes traditional lectures, small group learning experiences, weekly seminars, faculty conferences, laboratory work and clinical training opportunities. This degree program typically takes about 40 months to complete and involves about 4,200 hours of education, equipping students with an in-depth understanding of the best evidence-based practices in chiropractic medicine.
School Accreditation
School accreditation is crucial when selecting a Doctor of Chiropractic degree program, as chiropractors must earn their degree from an accredited institution to earn their license to practice in any state in the United States. Keiser University’s Doctor of Chiropractic degree program is a fully accredited Council on Chiropractic Education institution, allowing our students to feel confident in the education they receive from our renowned faculty members.
Transfer Credit and Prior Learning
To apply for a Doctor of Chiropractic degree program, students must have at least three years of undergraduate education under their belts. At Keiser University, our Doctor of Chiropractic degree program is unique because students do not need a master’s degree to apply, and their bachelor’s degree does not have to be in a science field. This provides more students with opportunities to explore their interests in chiropractic medicine and develop the necessary skills to become licensed to practice.
Generally speaking, students will need to have earned at least 90 credits as part of an undergraduate degree program. At least six of those credits should be in the sciences.
Doctor of Chiropractic Curriculum
The Doctor of Chiropractic degree curriculum covers a range of topics related to chiropractic medicine, allowing you to develop an in-depth understanding of anatomy and physiology. At Keiser University, we cover a wide scope of practice to provide our students with a solid foundation in evidence-based chiropractic care; as Vice President of the College of Chiropractic Medicine Dr. Jennifer Illes puts it, “We at Keiser University teach you as broad as we can within our scope of regulation.”
Throughout our curriculum, you will learn to make custom orthotics for a patient, complete phlebotomy sizing, draw blood and perform Pap tests and prostate exams. Through instructional lectures and skills-based clinical experiences, we equip students with the practical training they need to effectively provide comprehensive chiropractic treatment services for their patients.
Course and Education
The Keiser University Graduate School Doctor of Chiropractic degree is a spine-focused program that emphasizes evidence-based care. Throughout the required courses, students will learn to:
Examine patients using several elements—such as physical examination findings, medical history information, diagnostic imaging results and laboratory testing results. After considering these factors, our students are able to effectively apply clinical reasoning skills to determine an accurate diagnosis for the individual patient.
- Develop and implement an evidence-based treatment plan that addresses the unique needs of the individual patient.
- Understand and comply with the rigorous professional and ethical standards in the chiropractic medicine field.
- Select and perform chiropractic manual and manipulative procedures to promote self-healing in the body.
- Develop the interpersonal skills required to effectively communicate with patients and collaborate with other healthcare providers.
Evidence-Based Methods
Evidence-based methods are critical in chiropractic medicine, as these approaches allow chiropractors to deliver the best possible patient outcomes while keeping in mind the latest advances in chiropractic care and traditional medicine. An evidence-based approach requires chiropractors to consider the highest-quality available research to make the right clinical decision for their patients. At Keiser University, we prioritize evidence-based care within our degree program, effectively preparing our students for careers as chiropractors in a dynamic and evolving healthcare industry.
H3: Chiropractic Research and Clinicals
In order to develop comprehensive, evidence-based care strategies, students must be well-versed in chiropractic research and know how to complete chiropractic clinicals. Laboratory lessons and clinical experiences allow you to take an active role in chiropractic research as well as an opportunity to see how the latest research findings can enhance existing chiropractic medicine practices and treatments.
Doctor of Chiropractic Educational Path
Knowing the educational path to follow to become a licensed, practicing chiropractor can help you take the right steps forward. In general, those interested in pursuing a Doctor of Chiropractic degree need to have three years of undergraduate study before they can apply to a Doctor of Chiropractic degree program.
Pre-Chiropractic Education
Aspiring chiropractors must pursue undergraduate studies before they can enroll in a Doctor of Chiropractic degree program. While a bachelor’s degree is preferred, at least three years of undergraduate study (or about 90 credit hours) are required. Some universities require students to have a bachelor’s degree in a science field, but at Keiser, we believe that students from all educational backgrounds should have an opportunity to consider the Doctor of Chiropractic degree program. We require students to have either a bachelor’s degree or at least 90 credit hours of undergraduate studies. Of the credits earned during an undergraduate program, at least six should be in science.
Chiropractic College and Licensure
After completing the pre-chiropractic education requirements, you may then apply to a Doctor of Chiropractic degree program. All states require chiropractors to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from a fully accredited CCE institution before applying for licensure. Each state has different licensure requirements to consider.
Specializations Within Chiropractic
Some common specialization areas within chiropractic medicine include:
- Pediatrics
- Sports medicine
- Chiropractic internists
- Acupuncture
- Clinical nutrition
- Radiology
Knowing the various specialization areas available can help you select a degree program that aligns with your interests and existing skill set.
Is a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree Right for You?
As you consider a career as a chiropractor, you will want to determine if the Doctor of Chiropractic degree program is ideal for you at this time.
Assessing Your Career Goals
Before applying to a Doctor of Chiropractic degree program, evaluate and assess your career goals. This postgraduate degree program is designed specifically for students who are interested in pursuing a career as a licensed chiropractor. Chiropractors work directly with patients—providing specialized, comprehensive care and targeting the neuromusculoskeletal system in an effort to promote the natural healing abilities of the human body.
Interest in Healthcare and Patient Care
Chiropractors should not only have an interest in healthcare but should also value the overall patient care experience. Chiropractic care is distinctly different from medical care because it works to support the body’s natural healing rather than directly treat the symptoms of an underlying condition. Chiropractors are passionate healthcare professionals who value holistic health and well-being, and they enjoy providing patients with personalized, evidence-based care that will ultimately improve their livelihoods.
Understanding the Commitment Required
The Doctor of Chiropractic degree program is a full-time, on-campus program that requires a significant investment of your time and resources. You should be in a position, both personally and professionally, to pursue a full-time degree program for a little more than three years.
Chiropractic Skills and Qualities
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these are the top chiropractic skills and qualities to possess if you are considering a Doctor of Chiropractic degree:
- Dexterity
- Empathy
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Collaborative skills
How to Apply for a Doctor of Chiropractic Program
Interested in applying for a Doctor of Chiropractic program? You can contact a graduate admissions counselor to learn more about the next best steps to take. At Keiser University Graduate School, we accept 24 candidates per entrance class. Candidates begin within three different cohorts in September, January and May.
Prerequisites and Admission Requirements
Most students will need at least 90 credits of undergraduate study or to hold a bachelor’s degree, though the bachelor’s degree does not need to be in science. However, candidates must have completed at least six science credits before applying. Students do not need a master’s degree to apply.
Application Process and Interviews
After submitting your application, you will participate in an interview with the Faculty Admissions Committee. This exploratory interview process offers an opportunity to ask questions of people who have hands-on chiropractic clinical practice experience and ultimately determine whether this is an ideal program structure for the student.
In the words of Dr. Illes, “This is an exciting interview—a time to make sure that on both ends, this is a journey that fits both the student’s needs and the programmatic needs—ensuring that the student is the right fit for the program.”
Discover How to Get a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree at Keiser University Graduate School
As a fully CCE-accredited institution, Keiser University Graduate School proudly offers a Doctor of Chiropractic degree that prepares students to take an evidence-based approach to patient care and holistic well-being. This program provides students from all educational backgrounds and interests with an opportunity to explore this dynamic, growing field and gear up for a rewarding career as a licensed chiropractor. A graduate admissions counselor can provide you with detailed information about the admissions process for this engaging and rigorous graduate degree program.
Apply today and begin your Doctor of Chiropractic degree.
