Chiropractor

Chiropractic care is a health care discipline that emphasizes the inherent power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. It focuses on the relationship between the body’s structure (primarily the spine) and function, as coordinated by the nervous system. Chiropractic doctors diagnose and treat patients whose health problems are associated with the body’s muscular, nervous and skeletal systems.

Clemson University prepares students for application to a four-year doctorate of chiropractic degree program. Pre-chiropractic is not a degree-granting major. Therefore, you must choose a degree-granting major (and minor, if appropriate) if you plan to complete a bachelor’s degree at Clemson prior to attending chiropractic school.

Chiropractic schools do not discriminate among the different disciplines from which you may choose, meaning that you can and should choose the curriculum that interests you most and excel. Be sure to accommodate prerequisite courses for your chiropractic schools of interest.

What is Competitive

Admissions criteria vary by institution and should be verified individually. To become a chiropractor, a student must receive his or her doctorate of chiropractic and a state licensure. Four years of graduate work at a nationally accredited college are required to earn a doctor of chiropractic degree. Subjects studied are similar to those of medical schools. All practicing chiropractors must successfully complete a test issued by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. The examination comprises four parts:

• Basic sciences.
• Clinical sciences.
• Clinical case studies.
• Practical examination.

In addition, a growing number of states are requiring candidates to have bachelor’s degrees before taking the licensure examination. All states require continuing education to maintain licensure. Elective exams are also offered in physiotherapy and acupuncture.

Core Preparation Courses

Requirements vary by institution and should be verified. Students planning to pursue a degree in chiropractic should expect to take the following courses:

• Biology: BIOL 1030 and BIOL 1050, and BIOL 1040 and BIOL 1060 or BIOL 1100 and BIOL 1110.
• Chemistry: CH 1010 and CH 1020.
• Organic Chemistry: CH 2230 and CH 2270, and CH 2240 and CH 2280.
• Physics: PHYS 1220 and PHYS 1240 and PHYS 2210 and PHYS 2230; or PHYS 2070 and PHYS 2090 and PHYS 2080 and PHYS 2100.
• Psychology: PSYC 2010.
• Sociology: SOC 2010.