What schooling do you need to become a chiropractor?

Answer 1

In North America:

Before a student can attend a chiropractic college he/she must complete at least 3 years of an undergraduate university degree (eg: bachelor of science).Students with other undergraduate degrees (eg: BA) are also eligible for chiropractic college, but will find it more challenging without significant background in any of the sciences. Most students at chiropractic colleges have completed their undergraduate degree.

Following an undergraduate degree, chiropractic college last 3 or 4 years, depending on which school you choose to attend. The World Health Organization has stated that to become a doctor of chiropractic a student must attend no less than 4200 hours of schooling in a chiropractic college after their undergraduate degree. Some schools squish this all into 3 years, others spread it over 4 years. Thus, to become a chiropractor, a student must attend a minimum of 6-8 years of post-secondary education (after high-school).

The program at Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College is 4 full-time years and courses include microbiology, biochemistry, histology, anatomy, neuroanatomy, physiology, immunology, neuroscience, pathology, pharmacology, biomechanics, functional rehab., clinical diagnosis, orthopedics, nutrition, radiography, radiology and chiropractic principles and techniques in the first two years. The third year involves a little more basic science but primarily the theoretical application of this knowledge. The fourth year is in a clinical setting as an intern with real-life application of this knowledge.

In Australia:

The 3 year Bachelor of Chiropractic Science offers a solid foundation in science based disciplines including, chemistry, physics, Biology, physiology, anatomy etc. Central to these are the core teachings in Chiropractic Principles and Techniques. Students intending on practicing as Chiropractors MUST complete the Master Of Chiropractic to gain proficiency, professional recognition and registration in Australia. The master program takes 2 years full time to complete and entrance is granted only to those with a GPA 3.2 or greater in The Bachelor degree. Units in the masters include neurology, spinal orthopaedics, peripheral orthopaedics, radiology, physical rehab, pharmacology, EPT, nutrition, advanced clinical diagnosis, chiropractic principles and techniques etc.

Answer 2

Each school has it pros and cons, it is best to look into each school and choose one that is best for you.

One great school is the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC, in Toronto, Canada) as it is highly science/evidence based and takes much of the dogma out of the education process. This, of course, represents one extreme approach. For someone who prefers to take a more dogmatic approach to this profession (the opposite extreme to CMCC) there are schools like Sherman College of straight chiropractors. Somewhere in the middle lies plenty of other great schools.

The point is that any answer to your question is going to include the bias of the person answering and you are better-off looking into many schools and deciding for yourself.

For a start, try these schools (but there are many more):

Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College

Western States Chiropractic College

New York Chiropractic College

National University of Health Sciences

Southern California School of Health Sciences

Palmer Chiropractic University

Cleveland Chiropractic College

Answer 3

Doctors of Chiropractic are required to attend and complete a minimum of 3 years at an undergraduate university before applying to Chiropractic College. This undergraduate degree should be a health or science degree. Students with other undergraduate degrees (such as a bachelor of Arts degree) may apply to Chiropractic College but may need to take specific science courses to help with basic knowledge before entering Chiropractic College.

After obtaining an undergraduate degree, students are required to attend an accredited Chiropractic college. The doctoral degree is an intensive 3 to 4-year program that focuses on courses such as anatomy, physiology, neuroanatomy, neuroscience, microbiology, biochemistry, histology, pathology, biomechanics, clinical diagnosis, orthopedics, radiology, chiropractic theory, and chiropractic techniques. In the final year of study Chiropractic students apply their knowledge in a clinical setting as an intern practicing under a licensed Chiropractor.

Answer 4

CMCC (in Canada) and New York Chiropractic College are 2 that usually come to mind when I think of chiropractic schools