Chiropractors are medical professionals who specialize in conditions that affect the muscles and spine in an attempt to eliminate pain and increase mobility. Like other professional careers in health care, chiropractors must meet certain requirements in order to legally practice.
Undergraduate Education
Most chiropractors obtain bachelors degrees, but some chiropractic programs only require prospective students to have 90 credits of undergraduate courses prior to admission. Necessary classes for prospective chiropractors include chemistry, biology, physics and psychology.
Time Frame
Chiropractic education requires four years to complete. The first three years are spent in classroom and practical settings with the fourth year spent practicing under the supervision of a licensed chiropractor.
Location
There were 18 schools approved by the Council on Chiropractic Education as of 2009. These include the Cleveland Chiropractic College, D'Youville College, Life University College of Chiropractic, Life College Chiropractic West, Logan College of Chiropractic, Southern California University, National University of Health
Sciences, New York Chiropractic College, Northwestern Health Sciences University, Palmer College of Chiropractic in Iowa, California and Florida, Parker College of Chiropractic, Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic, Texas Chiropractic College, University of Bridgeport and Western States Chiropractic College.
Features
During their course of study at chiropractic college, students must study a number of subjects, including nutrition, diagnostics, geriatrics, orthopedics, neurology and physiotherapy.
Licensure
After graduation, chiropractors must pass a written examination given by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners in order to receive a license to practice in their state. Some states also supplement the National exam with a state-wide exam.
Compensation
After graduation and licensure, the average chiropractor earned an annual salary of $65,220 in 2006, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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