Pre-Chiropractic
Chiropractors take a natural, preventative approach to healthcare without the use of drugs or surgery. They primarily treat patients with health problems of the musculoskeletal system, which is made up of bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons using spinal manipulation. Many chiropractors seek to reduce pain and increase the functionality of patients in addition to educating them on how they can improve their condition and live a healthy lifestyle.
Major Selection
As an undergraduate student, you may choose any major in preparation for attending chiropractic school. Chiropractic schools do not have a specific preference on a particular major, so you are encouraged to choose a major based on your own personal interests and strengths. What’s important is that you have completed the prerequisite courses required by the institution you are applying to.
Prerequisite Courses
Requirements may vary from school to school, so you will want to research different program requirements. In general, most chiropractic schools will expect applicants to have completed the following types of courses:
Course | Course Title | Required or Recommended |
---|---|---|
CHEMISTRY | ||
General Chemistry I | Required | |
General Chemistry I Lab | Required | |
General Chemistry II | Required | |
General Chemistry II Lab | Required | |
Organic Chemistry I | Required | |
Organic Chemistry I Lab | Required | |
Organic Chemistry II | Recommended | |
Organic Chemistry II Lab | Recommended | |
Biochemistry I | Required | |
Biochemistry I Lab | Required | |
BIOLOGY | ||
Cell Biology | Required | |
Cell Biology Lab | Required | |
Organismal Biology | Required | |
Organismal Biology Lab | Required | |
Human Anatomy | Recommended | |
Human Anatomy Lab | Recommended | |
Genetics | Recommended | |
Genetics Lab | Recommended | |
Human Physiology | Recommended | |
Human Physiology Lab | Recommended | |
Microbiology | Recommended | |
Microbiology Lab | Recommended | |
ENGLISH | ||
ENGL | 6 credits | Required |
MATH | ||
Calculus I | Recommended | |
, , | Statistics | Recommended |
PHYSICS | ||
or PHYS | College/General Physics I & Lab or Physics I with Calculus & Lab | Required |
or PHYS | College/General Physics II & Lab or Physics II with Calculus & Lab | Required |
PSYCHOLOGY | ||
General Psychology | Recommended | |
PSY | Upper-division Psychology | Recommended |
*Other courses may be required/recommended by specific programs. You are responsible for knowing the requirements for each individual program. Policies on AP, IB and community college credits vary by institution.
You can find a complete list of all the accredited chiropractic schools in the United States and their admission requirements on the .
Admissions Test
Applicants to chiropractic colleges are not required to take a standardized admissions test.