When researching how long it takes to finish chiropractic school, you’ll first want to know how long chiropractic schools near me are in session. Depending on the type of program you choose, this can mean varying lengths of time and differing commitments on your part. One thing remains consistent, though: You’ll need to make sure you have enough time and patience on your side before deciding to enroll in a particular program. Here’s what you need to know about these requirements and other factors that affect how long it takes to finish chiropractic school.
Is a Doctorate in Chiropractic program right for you?
A Doctorate in Chiropractic is one of many graduate degrees that prepares students for a career in health care, emphasizing working with musculoskeletal issues. In these programs, students learn hands-on techniques to diagnose and treat patients with spinal pain and dysfunction. While there are several similarities between doctorate programs for those with a bachelor’s degree in another area of study and those seeking more specialized knowledge, you’ll also find differences worth researching. Whether you choose a Doctorate in Chiropractic or not depends on your personal preferences and your projected career goals.
What are the requirements?
To become a chiropractor, you must complete an accredited doctoral program that takes approximately four years of study after earning a bachelor’s degree. The pre-chiropractic requirements vary depending on your undergraduate major and where you attend college. But in general, you’ll need to:
- Complete a minimum of 90 semester hours, or
- 135 quarter hours;
- Earn at least a 2.5 GPA overall (but most programs require much higher GPAs)
- Gain experience through work or volunteering in a healthcare field; and
- Submit SAT or ACT scores and letters of recommendation from your instructors.
Most schools also require students to interview before admission (and pay an application fee). You can search for chiropractic schools near me and decide what suits you best.
The timeline
During the 10-trimester course, you’ll prepare to offer primary and collaborative care as a chiropractor. Your learning objectives will entail overall patient wellness and neuromusculoskeletal conditions. It takes four years to get a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree. The first year is spent getting used to student life and mastering basic anatomy, physiology, and pathology to prepare for clinical studies. In subsequent years, you’ll study several different body systems before applying your knowledge by working with patients. You’ll be encouraged to undertake a research project as part of your coursework and may also be able to complete a master’s degree program while you’re in school. The DC profession requires you to pass three comprehensive exams: one on chiropractic theory, one on diagnosis, and one on clinical procedures.
Career Opportunities with Doctorate in Chiropractic program
A Dr. in Chiropractic degree can open up many career opportunities for those pursuing them. For example, many chiropractors work in private practice, treating patients individually. But there are also many other areas where they can be involved in more public roles. Doctors can teach, work as industry consultants and be involved in research. The options are endless and depend primarily on what you want to do with your career after graduating from one of these programs of study.
Conclusion
Studying chiropractic isn’t easy. It is a grueling process that can last years and make you wonder if it’s worth all of your hard work. It is! Earning a doctorate allows you to legally practice in your field, which means you can start helping people immediately!