How many years do you have to attend a chiropractic college?

Answer 1

Chiropractors must be licensed, which requires 4 years of undergraduate education, the completion of a 4-year chiropractic college course, and passing scores on national and State examinations.

Education and training. In 2007, 16 chiropractic programs and 2 chiropractic institutions in the United States were accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education. Applicants must have at least 90 semester hours of undergraduate study leading toward a bachelor's degree, including courses in English, the Social Sciences or humanities, organic and inorganic chemistry, biology, physics, and psychology. Many applicants have a bachelor's degree, which may eventually become the minimum entry requirement. Several chiropractic colleges offer prechiropractic study, as well as a bachelor's degree program. Recognition of prechiropractic education offered by chiropractic colleges varies among the States.

Chiropractic programs require a minimum of 4,200 hours of combined classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience. During the first 2 years, most chiropractic programs emphasize classroom and laboratory work in sciences such as anatomy, physiology, public health, microbiology, pathology, and biochemistry. The last 2 years focus on courses in manipulation and spinal adjustment and provide clinical experience in physical and laboratory diagnosis, neurology, orthopedics, geriatrics, physiotherapy, and nutrition. Chiropractic programs and institutions grant the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic.

Chiropractic colleges also offer postdoctoral training in orthopedics, neurology, sports injuries, nutrition, rehabilitation, radiology, industrial consulting, family practice, pediatrics, and applied chiropractic sciences. Once such training is complete, chiropractors may take specialty exams leading to "diplomate" status in a given specialty. Exams are administered by specialty chiropractic associations.

Licensure. All States and the District of Columbia regulate the practice of chiropractic and grant licenses to chiropractors who meet the educational and examination requirements established by the State. Chiropractors can practice only in States where they are licensed. Some States have agreements permitting chiropractors licensed in one State to obtain a license in another without further examination, provided that their educational, examination, and practice credentials meet State specifications.

Most State licensing boards require at least 2 years of undergraduate education, but an increasing number are requiring a 4-year bachelor's degree. All boards require the completion of a 4-year program at an accredited chiropractic college leading to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree.

For licensure, most State boards recognize either all or part of the four-part test administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. State examinations may supplement the National Board tests, depending on State requirements. All States except New Jersey require the completion of a specified number of hours of continuing education each year in order to maintain licensure. Chiropractic associations and accredited chiropractic programs and institutions offer continuing education programs.

Other qualifications. Chiropractic requires keen observation to detect physical abnormalities. It also takes considerable manual dexterity, but not unusual strength or endurance, to perform adjustments. Chiropractors should be able to work independently and handle responsibility. As in other health-related occupations, empathy, understanding, and the desire to help others are good qualities for dealing effectively with patients.

Advancement. Newly licensed chiropractors can set up a new practice, purchase an established one, or enter into partnership with an established practitioner. They also may take a salaried position with an established chiropractor, a group practice, or a health care facility

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Answer 2

There are no strictly animal chiropractic colleges. To become an equine chiropractor, one must first have a doctorate in chiropractic or a doctorate in veterinary medicine. As such, to answer your question, you need to search for a chiropractic college or a veterinary college.

The steps required to become an equine chiropractor will be:

1) Complete at least 3 years of a 4 year university/college undergraduate degree (eg: Bachelors of Science)

2) Complete a 4 year doctorate in either chiropractic medicine or veterinary medicine

3) Pass national/regional board exams for veterinary or chiropractic medicine

3) Complete a certification program in animal manipulation (200 additional hours)

Once this is completed, you can call yourself a doctor of animal (eg: equine) chiropractic.

There are also 1 and 2 year programs available for someone who has no university or college training, called equine therapy. This is like becoming a massage therapist for horses, and I believe they also teach a couple of generic manipulation techniques. Once you have completed this program you can call yourself an equine therapist (many of these people call themselves equine chiropractors, but it is illegal to do so).

Answer 3

Count on at least 5.5 to 7 years if you have no college credits, only a high school diploma.

Depending on the chiropractic college, the doctor of chiropractic program is about 3.5- 4 years.

However, 90 semester hours of undergraduate work are usually required for enrollment. AT 15 hours per semester, and 3 semesters a year, the 90 hours would take two years, then you would enroll in a chiropractic program.

Some undergrad colleges have accelerated programs, and some have specific pre-chiropractic programs.

However, some states require a bachelor's degree in addition to the doctor of chiropractic degree for licensing.

The BS. typically takes 4 years, but often there is a 3 + 1 program agreement between an undergraduate college and the chiropractic college that allows the first year of chiropractic college to count as the undergrad senior year.

The best idea is to check with the chiropractic college you wish to attend and with the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Board to see what is required in the state where you want to be a chiropractor.