Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts which is concerned with human health and the prevention of disease. The doctor of chiropractic (DC) considers each individual as an integrated being and gives special attention to spinal biomechanics and neurologic, muscular, vascular, and nutritional relationships.

The practice of chiropractic is regulated in all states and a number of foreign countries. State legislatures in all 50 states have licensed and approved the provision of chiropractic health services to their residents. There are approximately 14 chiropractic colleges accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education. Chiropractic colleges require a minimum of four academic years of professional resident study including clinical experience under strict supervision, preceded by a minimum of two years of college work with a curriculum concentrated in the biological and basic sciences, and clinical disciplines. The remaining two years emphasize practical or clinical studies dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of disease with approximately half the time spent in college clinics.

Chiropractic services are based on three theories: (1) Pathological disease processes may be influenced by disturbances of the nervous system, (2) Disturbances of the nervous system may be the result of derangements of the musculoskeletal structure, and (3) Disturbances of the nervous system may aggravate pathological processes in various parts or with various functions of the body. Most chiropractic treatments consist of corrective adjustments involving the spinal column and extremities. Other techniques involve reflex adjustments, gentle manipulation, passive mobilization, and nutritional supplementation. Recognition of the profession by other types of physicians and health care workers continues to be a problem in many areas of the country.

The closest chiropractic colleges to Missouri State University are:

 

Cleveland Chiropractic College
6401 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64131
http://www.clevelandchiropractic.edu

Logan College of Chiropractic
1851 Schoettler Road, Box 1065
Chesterfield, MO 63006-1065
http://www.logan.edu

Other chiropractic colleges in the region include Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport IA; National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, IL; and Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, TX.

Academic Program

Admission to a college of chiropractic can be sought by students having at least 60 or 90 credit hours of preprofessional education. Minimum grade point averages overall and for the prerequisite courses may be specified. Each college maintains its own suggested pre-chiropractic curriculum that generally consists of the following: Two to four semesters of biological science, three to four semesters of chemistry (including organic chemistry and biochemistry, two semesters of general physics or applied physics (biomechanics, kinesiology, or exercise physiology , two semesters of English or communications, one course in psychology, six semester hours of other social sciences and six semester hours of humanities. Students should check the specific requirement for the chiropractic schools to which they intend to apply.

These requirements allow for a number of majors for pre-chiropractic students desiring a bachelor's degree before seeking chiropractic school admission. Over half of students admitted to colleges of chiropractic now have bachelor's degrees and this trend is expected to continue.

Sample Two-Year Course Schedule

The following suggested curriculum has been constructed using specific course suggestions by the Admissions Office from Logan College of Chiropractic and with consideration of meeting the General Education requirements at Missouri State University. Other colleges of chiropractic have similar requirements but students should check the specific requirements of the schools to which they intend to apply.

First Year (Fall Semester) Total Credit Hours = 15

 

BMS 110 Concepts in BMS
CHM 160 General Chemistry
ENG 110 Writing I
IDS 110 Introduction to University Life
MTH 135 College Algebra

First Year (Spring Semester) Total Credit Hours = 15

 

CHM 170 General Chemistry II
CHM 175 General Chemistry II Lab
BMS 307 Human Anatomy
COM 115 Public Speaking
PED 100 Health and Well-Being

Second Year (Fall Semester) Total Credit Hours = 16

 

CHM 310 Organic Chemistry (or CHM 200 with CHM 350 later)
PHY 123 Intro. to Physics I
BMS 308 Human Physiology
Social Sciences elective

Second Year (Spring Semester) Total Credit Hours = 17

 

CHM 311 Organic Chemistry (or CHM 350 if CHM 200 taken)
PHY 124 Intro. to Physics II*
BIO 310 Microbiology
PSY 121 Intro. Psychology

Additional social science and humanities required by several chiropractic programs should be taken in the student's third year. Students planning to complete a major in cell and molecular biology should must take CHM 3010 and CHM 311 or 312) and should consider altering the above program beginning in the second year so that at the end of four years all of the General Education requirments, cell and molecular biology major requirements, and pre-chiropractic requirements are met in a eight semester curricular plan.

In keeping with the trend for higher numbers of credit hours for pre-chiropractic students, more students are choosing to complete a bachelor's degree before entering colleges of chiropractic. Because of the demanding pre-chiropractic foundation in the sciences, students generally complete majors in one of the sciences such as physics, chemistry, biology, or cell and molecular biology. Students who seek to earn a four year bachelor's degree should choose an academic advisor in the department of their respective major in addition to their pre-chiropractic advisor.

Preprofessional education must total a minimum of 60 or 90 semester hours with a GPA of at least 2.25 or 2.5 on a 4.00 scale. All science courses must be completed with a grade point of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students with higher GPA's and higher numbers of credit hours usually have preference in admission.

 

---