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Health Sciences Career: Chiropractor
Health Sciences Designation: Pre-Chiropractic (PCHI)
Career: Chiropractor
Job Outlook: 12% from 2016-2026
Median Pay: $71,410 annually in 2018 (approximately $34.33 per hour)
Entry-level Education: Doctoral or professional degree
Description:
Chiropractors provide a drug-free alternative for patients with neuromusculoskeletal problems. They can diagnose and treat problems that deal with nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They can also provide nutritional, dietary, and lifestyle counseling. Chiropractors have the ability to assess patients and recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises and whether or not the patient is a candidate to be treated with chiropractic interventions. They will give referrals and work in conjunction with other health care professionals in order to provide the best care for the patient.
Work Settings:
Most chiropractors practice in their own offices but there is a growing number of them who practice in hospitals and military settings. Working in a hospital or military health center allows chiropractors to be part of the health care team and integrate their services particularly in orthopedic practice and pain management. Academia is also an area that chiropractors can practice in and can also move into an administrative position or conduct research full-time. Sports chiropractic is a growing specialty for the profession. Chiropractors can also care for pediatrics and pregnant women. Whatever your interests are, you can find a setting that you are passionate about in this growing profession.
Academic Requirements:
Chiropractors are required to complete a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree at an accredited program. Most applicants to the program have at least 3 years or 90 semester hours of undergraduate education and it is becoming more common for programs to require a bachelor’s degree. Each school has specific requirements for their individual programs. Drake’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree is an excellent preparation for chiropractic school! Once you’ve earned your Drake degree you’ll complete four years of studies in an accredited chiropractic program
Additional Information:
Following graduation from an accredited program, candidates need to be licensed in each state that they are going to practice in. In addition, every candidate needs to pass all four parts of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exam. Depending on the state, they might also require a background check.
Why is Health Sciences a great major for Pre-PA?
As a student in our Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree, you’ll get the best of both worlds: a rigorous science curriculum that will prepare you for the academic challenges in chiropractic school and an education in healthcare that will help you succeed in your professional career. All Health Sciences students take core courses in the sciences that you can customize based on the required prerequisite coursework you’ll need to get into your top choice graduate program. But beyond that, you’ll also complete our Health Sciences Core Curriculum, which teaches you about every aspect of healthcare and how to be a successful professional once you graduate. The Health Sciences Core Curriculum includes coursework in professionalism, innovation and problem solving, cultural sensitivity, healthcare ethics, and an overview of what to expect when you enter the workforce. This unique curriculum is only offered to Health Sciences majors at Drake and is one thing that will make you stand out when you apply for dental school.
In addition to the coursework you take, the Health Sciences Core Curriculum also includes a full year of internship and research for every Health Sciences student. In your senior year, you will be paired with a healthcare professional in a career that relates to your own interests and complete a full year internship with that person at their practice site or office. You will also do an original research project along with your internship, which is something graduate schools value in the admission process. 100% of our Health Sciences students do an internship and research, which is why our graduates are so successful at getting into many of their top choice chiropractice schools!
Resources:
CPHS News
March 13, 2024
CPHS Calendar 
