The definitive guide to accredited doctor of chiropractic programs across North America.
The Chiropractic Schools Guide is the place to start your search to discover how to become a doctor of chiropractic. This guide is designed to help you take the first steps on your journey by choosing the right program from a selection of accredited chiropractic schools in the country. It will help you learn about the various programs in North America so you can choose the one that suits you best.
The Chiropractic Schools Guide is maintained and updated by the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC), a collaborative member network of accredited chiropractic educational programs across North America dedicated to excellence in chiropractic education.
Please contact Anne Marie Munson, Executive Director of ACC, if you have questions or need additional information.
As the demand for chiropractic care grows across North America, more and more prospective students want to know how to become a doctor of chiropractic:
Selecting the right program will lead you to your desired goal of becoming a doctor of chiropractic and prepare you for an exciting career.
Chiropractic physicians must graduate from an accredited doctor of chiropractic (DC) degree program and pass state licensure board examinations to obtain licensure and provide patient care. Accredited chiropractic programs prepare you for licensure examinations and train you in the skills necessary to be a doctor of chiropractic, including:
Mastering these competencies is part of the core training received in accredited chiropractic programs.
The chiropractic schools listed in this guide are each accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE).
The CCE is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accredition (CHEA) as the autonomous accrediting agency to provide assurances of educational quality and integrity.
The accreditation process ensures that chiropractic schools comply with established educational standards and processes. The CCE evaluates chiropractic schools in the areas of faculty qualifications, curriculum, instructional content and objectives, admissions requirements, student learning assessments, student services and policies, research, and clinical competency assessment.
There are 20 accredited chiropractic school sites in the United States. These federally-accredited chiropractic programs provide the rigorous education and hands-on training necessary to obtain a license and successfully practice chiropractic care.
Each chiropractic programs undergoes a comprehensive evaluation by the CCE to ensure it meets the criteria necessary to train proficient, compassionate chiropractors. Chiropractic doctors must achieve and demonstrate defined clinical competencies to provide excellent patient care. That’s why it’s so important to choose a chiropractic school that is accredited and recognized by state licensing bodies.
*Not members of ACC
The accredited schools in this guide require these basic prerequisites for acceptance into the doctor of chiropractic program:
Once accepted to an accredited chiropractic school, accredited Doctor of Chiropractic degree programs require at least four academic years to complete. Some programs are offered year-round and can be completed in three calendar years.
If you have some prerequisites to complete, chiropractic schools offer undergraduate courses to complete those requirements—make sure you inquire from the school’s admissions office.
Academic calendars may be organized in quarters, trimesters, or semesters, so be sure to find out which system the school uses and best suits you.
As you learn about how to become a chiropractic doctor and start comparing schools, it’s helpful to make a list of factors that will help you narrow down your search.
The following section provides important considerations to think about as you conduct your research on the various chiropractic programs.
Becoming a chiropractor involves rigorous education and hands-on training to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to restore and maintain a patient’s health and function effectively.
Chiropractic is a dynamic career path with a broad spectrum of different techniques, and concentrations. These are examples of different chiropractic career paths in which you might be interested:
Chiropractic students learn how to provide excellent care to help people with a wide variety of conditions, injuries, and wellness goals.
One helpful tool for comparing different chiropractic schools and their curricula is the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners curriculum guide. This details the types of academic courses and practical clinical experiences chiropractic students may expect throughout their educational career.
Learn about the faculty in the chiropractic programs you’re interested in. What are their qualifications and accomplishments? Are there any notable chiropractic professionals or researchers involved in developing or teaching the curriculum or leading clinical training? Learning from recognized leaders in the chiropractic field may give you an edge in your education and in your future career.
Review clinical training opportunities such as internships, preceptorships, clinics, and labs. Are there partnerships with healthcare facilities in the region that provide student interns exposure to established clinics and practices?
In educational settings, appropriate class size and productive student-to-faculty ratios provide effective and personalized learning experiences. Opportunities for peer-to-peer interactions enhance the active learning process especially when mastering essentian clinical competencies.
Campus tours provide a unique perspective and opportunity to evaluate the chiropractic school you are interested in. Find opportunities to talk with current students and graduates to learn about the campus facilities, as well as partner healtchare institutions and clinical settings. Explore the laboratories, libraries, advanced technology, and research facilities students may have access to during their time in the program.
Tuition costs change from year to year. Make sure you inquire regarding the current rates at the schools in which you are interested.
In addition to tuition, other costs include:
It’s a good idea to create a realistic budget with all of these costs included to understand your financial commitment while in school.
A variety of financial aid options are available including loans, grants, and scholarships that may help to offset these costs. The school’s financial aid office can help with identifying scholarships, grants and loan options.
An important factor in your search for the right chiropractic program is to connect with alumni to learn about their experiences. Ask chiropractic doctors you know and trust about their educational experience and how well their schools supported them in starting a practice, applying for positions, and finding additional opportunities for career support. Investigate the school’s student success services and career assistance programs.
Finding your ideal chiropractic school fit isn’t just about the numbers. It’s also about finding a place that can provide the educational and clinical experiences you need with a culture that fits who you are. Ask people about campus life, culture, extracurricular activities, student organizations, the local community off-campus, etc. Ask about opportunities for completing some courses online. People to ask about this include:
If you aspire to own your chiropractic practics, core busines and financial management courses in the following topic areas may be very helpful:
A well-rounded education in these areas may improve your future business and personal finances. As you investigate the curricula of chiropractic schools, find out if they offer classes on managing a chiropractic business.
Because chiropractic school is a significant investment of your time and money, make sure you get as much information about the chiropractic programs in which you are interested. Some ways include:
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most people in the chiropractic community are passionate and excited about what they do. They are eager to talk with prospective chiropractic students about their experiences and how they can help future chiropractic doctors succeed. Being part of a community of dedicated healthcare professionals who love helping people heal naturally is one of the things that makes a chiropractic career so rewarding.
Chiropractors are passionate about their careers. They love helping people achieve their optimum health, and they love continuous learning about advances in health care. Chiropractic changes lives for the better each day.
Follow the steps in this guide to discover which of North America’s top accredited chiropractic schools best fits your needs.
You’ll be on your way to a rewarding career you’ll be excited about.
Written by: Anne Marie Munson, Executive Director
Association of Chiropractic Colleges
Fact checked by: David M. Owen, MPA, Health
Services Student Enrolment Advisor
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