Chiropractic Programs and Career Prospects

Find Chiropractic Programs in the United States and Canada. Now that you've decided to pursue a professional career as a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), it's important that you review all the prerequisites necessary for entry into any one of the several chiropractic programs available today.

For instance, did you know that a number of alternative medicine schools offer pre chiropractic programs to prospective students?  In these courses, students are introduced to a rigorous set of health sciences including anatomy, biology, chemistry, microbiology, genetics, physiology, nutrition, and organic chemistry, among other subject matter. Of course, students can also opt to take basic sciences in traditional schools and colleges and earn a Bachelor's degree or equivalent of 90 semester hours prior to applying to chiropractic programs as well.

Once you've met all prerequisites, be prepared even more in-depth training and education.  Typically, chiropractic programs average about 4,200 hours, or about four years of studies.  Common curricula entails basic, clinical and neurosciences including microbiology, physiology, biochemistry, clinical nutrition, chiropractic techniques, microbiology, public health, radiology, pathology, psychology, diagnostics, orthopedics, and more.  While learning biomechanics, students participating in chiropractic programs train to make spinal adjustments on a case-by-case basis.* (Specific spinal adjustments are administered according to diagnosis.)

Most accredited chiropractic schools and colleges offer Doctor of Chiropractic programs, which result in a degree pursuant to this particular study. Unlike typical healing arts colleges, chiropractic programs are generally offered on a full-time basis only.  However, there are a number of colleges that do provide correspondence courses, as well as continuing education classes that can be completed from home or as a part-time academic course.

Once licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic, graduates have the option to go onto postdoctoral chiropractic programs that place an emphasis on a variety of specialized healthcare services, including training in family practice, neurology, nutrition, orthopedics, rehabilitation, and pediatrics, among other specialized health services.

According to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), career prospects for successful candidates who have completed training through one of several chiropractic programs is good.  While over half of chiropractors are self-employed, many professional D.C.'s work in hospitals and medical clinics; and some become researchers at chiropractic institutions.  In addition, reported mean salaries for chiropractors in 2005 were just above $100,000 annually.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding chiropractic programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

*Occupational Resources: BLS (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Chiropractic Programs and Career Prospects

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