Pre-Chiropractic Preparation

Chiropractors help patients with health problems that involve the neuromuscular skeletal system (nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons). Chiropractors treat patients by performing spinal adjustments, manipulations, and other clinical interventions. One of the common reasons patients seek chiropractic care is for pain management in areas such as the back and neck.

Most chiropractors work in either private or group chiropractic offices. A large number are self-employed, with the ability to create their own schedules. Most work full time; they may have to work nights and/or weekends to accommodate patient schedules.

Job Growth

Employment for chiropractors is expected to grow by 11%, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, which notes the growth is much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth is attributed to a growing and aging population.

$75,000
Median Annual Salary
11%

Projected Job Growth,

2020-2030
#72

100 Best Jobs,

U.S. News, 2022

How to Apply

Chiropractors must obtain a doctor of chiropractic (DC) degree and be licensed in order to practice. Although a majority of DC programs only require 90 semester hours of undergraduate education, most students who apply have a bachelor’s degree. Chiropractic school usually take four years to complete. Some students continue their education by obtaining additional training in specialty areas, including orthopedics and pediatrics.

Course Requirements

Although you can select any undergraduate major, most chiropractic schools require you to take pre-requisite classes in order to apply. Most chiropractic schools require a total of 90 undergraduate hours with a minimum of 24 semester hours in life and physical sciences as well as general courses in humanities and social sciences. Courses that meet these requirements can be different depending on the school you apply to.

Students can use the Association of Chiropractic Colleges Academic Requirements for specific chiropractic schools. But you must also check directly with the individual schools.

This guide shows recommended courses to take at Michigan Tech in preparation for chiropractic school. This is not an exhaustive list. You are responsible to check with the schools you wish to apply for specific requirements. Students should also check with individual schools if they intend to use AP or community college credits to make sure those are accepted.

Entrance Exam

There is not a standard entrance exam chiropractic schools require. Most chiropractic schools do not require an entrance exam.

Additional Requirements

Most chiropractic schools have a minimum cumulative GPA requirement of either 2.5 or 3.0 in order to apply.

Apart from meeting GPA and prerequisite requirements, some chiropractic schools may require letters of recommendation, a personal statement and/or an in-person interview. Experience in the form of job shadowing and/or volunteering is always a plus.

Application Service

The professional association for chiropractic schools is ACC (Association of Chiropractic Colleges).

There is no central application service, most chiropractic school applications are found on individual school websites. If you are applying to multiple schools, you will have to fill out separate applications.