It is a common misconception that chiropractors aren’t “real doctors” but this is a myth. In fact, the average program to receive a chiropractic degree is the same length as one for a medical degree. Chiropractors end up going through at least six years of college education in addition to plenty of clinical hours and hands-on training. They also have to stay up to date with the latest techniques, which require additional training.
Depending on the state you live in, you will either need to complete a bachelor’s degree or two years of undergraduate school before even applying to a chiropractic college. Our chiropractors typically study physics, biology, chemistry, or related fields in order to meet the prerequisites for chiropractic college.
After that, all chiropractors attend a chiropractic college for four or five years. The typical program is four years long and has 4,820 hours of classroom as well as clinical hours before graduating, more hours than the related degrees for a medical or physical therapy curriculum. During our training, we complete at least a year of a clinical-based program to gain hands-on experience.
We study a wide range of topics during the six years of college, including:
- Bacteriology
- Anatomy
- Neurology
- Physiology
- Pathology
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Biochemistry
- Spinal biomechanics
- X-ray
- Orthopedics
- Cardiology
- Genitourinary and gastrointestinal systems
- Infectious diseases
- Physiotherapy
- Acupuncture
- Nutrition
After completing the chiropractic program, we still need to pass the national board examinations to receive certification. Only then can we apply for a license to practice and we need a license for each state.
Our staff typically chooses to continue their education as post-graduates to specialize in particular areas. Just some of the chiropractic specialties available include sports injuries, occupational health, neurology, and occupational health.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Cheree, at Chiropractic Healing Center to take advantage of our extensive training and specialties.
