Chiropractor
Chiropractic Medicine is a form of alternative medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system. This includes the nerves, cones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. It is believed that such unproven disorders affect general health via the nervous system.
CAREER DESCRIPTION*
- National median salary: $79,000
- National projected career growth: 10%
- Most work in either group or solo chiropractic practices
- Use of spinal adjustments and manipulation to relieve pain
- Advise patients on health and lifestyle issues
TYPICAL EDUCATION**
- Years of School (including undergraduate): 7+
- Average Entering GPA: 3.0
- Admission to chiropractic programs require at least 90 semester hours of undergraduate education, and some programs require a bachelor's degree for entry
COMPETITIVE STUDENTS ALWAYS...
- Maintain a competitive academic record
- Shadow professionals in the field
- Obtain direct patient healthcare experience
- Stay Active in community volunteering
- Research program requirements, as they vary by institution
NEARBY SCHOOLS
- Cleaveland Chiropractic College
- Life Chiropractic West College†
- Logan University
- National University of Health Sciences
- Palmer College of Chiropractic
Prerequisites vary by program. Students are responsible for ensuring all entrance requirements are met. Most schools prefer science classes to be taken in-person versus online.
LIFE CHIROPRACTIC COLLEGE WEST PREREQUISITES
Recommended Biological Sciences: 18 hours
| Course | Credits | Semester | Prerequisites |
| BIOL 1450 Biology I & Lab | 5 | F, S, M | High School Biology and Chemistry |
| BIOL 1750 Biology II & Lab | 5 | F, S, M | BIOL 1450 |
| BIOL 3020 Molecular Biology of the Cell
|
3 | F, S, M | BIOL 2140 and CHEM 1140 or 1180 |
| BIOL 4140 Cellular Biology and Lab | 4 | F, S | BIOL 2140, 3020 and CHEM 2210 or 2250 |
| BIOL 2440 The Biology of Microorganisms & Lab | 4 | F, S, M | High School Biology and Chemistry |
|
AND BIOL 2740 Human Anatomy & Physiology I & Lab |
4 | F, S, M | High School Biology and Chemistry |
| BIOL 2840 Human Anatomy & Physiology II & Lab | 4 | F, S, M | BIOL 2740 |
|
OR BMCH 2400 Human Physiology & Anatomy I & Lab |
4 | F, S | N/A |
| BMCH 2400 Human Physiology & Anatomy I & Lab | 4 | F, S |
BMCH 2500 |
Recommended Chemistry: 8-10 hours
| Course | Credits | Semester | Prerequisites |
| CHEM 1180 & 1184 General Chemistry I & Lab | 4 | F, S, M | MATH 1300 or 1320 or CHEM 1140 and 1144 |
| CHEM 1190 & 1194 General Chemistry II & Lab | 4 | F, S, M | MATH 1300 or 1320 and CHEM 1180 and 1184 |
Recommended Physic: 8-10 hours
| Course | Credits | Semester | Prerequisites |
| PHYS 1110 & 1154 Physics for Life Science I & Lab | 5 | F, S, M | MATH 1300 or 1320 |
| PHYS 1120 & 1164 Physics for Life Science II & Lab | 5 | F, S, M | PHYS 1110 and 1154 |
Other Recommended Courses
| Course | Credits | Semester | Prerequisites |
| BMCH 4630 Biomechanics | 3 | F, S | BMCH 2400 or BIOL 2740 and PHYS 1110 and 1154 or MATH 1950 |
| KINS 2430 Foundations in Kinesiology | 3 | F, S | N/A |
| HEKI 3090 Applied Nutrition | 3 | F, S, M | N/A |
| KINS 4940 Physiology of Exercise | 3 | F, S, M | BMCH 2400 or BIOL 2740 |
Recommended General Education
| Course | Credits | Semester | Prerequisites |
| MATH 1300 College Algebra with Support OR | 4 | F, S, M | N/A |
| MATH 1320 College Algebra | 3 | F, S, M | ACT 22 or ALEKS 4 within 30 months |
| A statistics course | 3 | F, S, M | N/A |
| ENGL 1140 English Composition I with Support OR | 4 | F, S | ACT Composite score <13, SAT Composite score <760, High School GPA <2.3, or Last Known College GPA <2.0 |
| ENGL 1150 English Composition I | 3 | F, S, M | AP Score 3, ACT 14-26, HS GPA 2.3+ |
| ENGL 1160 English Composition II | 3 | F, S, M | AP Score 4, ENGL 1140 or 1150, or ACT 27+ or Reading or English ACT score of 29+ |
| PSYC 1010 Introduction to Psychology | 3 | F, S, M | N/A |
| PSYC 2500 Lifespan Psychology | 3 | F, S, M | PSYC 1010 |
| CMST 1110 Public Speaking | 3 | F, S, M | N/A |
| A philosophy or ethics course | 3 | F, S, M | N/A |
Elective to Fulfill the required 90 Semester Hours
It is recommended that students take additional courses in chemistry and biology, beyond the required minimum including genetics, and organic chemistry. Other recommended electives include Business, Communications, and Information Systems.
*Data and information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
**Data and information from Cleveland Chiropractic College
Last update: 9.2025
†Students interested in learning more about Life Chiropractic West College can contact them at admissions@lifewest.edu