Chiropractors are educated as primary health care providers, with an emphasis on diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the musculoskeletal system (the muscles, ligaments and joints of the spine and extremities) and the nerves that supply them. Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions.

Prior to applying for chiropractic college there must be acquired nearly four years of pre-medical undergraduate college education and a bachelor’s degree, including courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and related lab work. Once accepted into Chiropractic College a chiropractic student is educated in orthopedics, neurology, physiology, human anatomy, clinical diagnosis including laboratory procedures, diagnostic imaging, exercise, nutrition rehabilitation and more.

Because chiropractic care includes highly skilled manipulation/adjusting techniques, three and a half years is spent in clinical technique training to master these important manipulative procedures.

In total, the chiropractic college curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. It includes 200 more classroom hours than a typical Medical School education.  The course of study is approved by an accrediting agency that is fully recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.