Purpose

The purpose of the curriculum is to give a student a thorough understanding of the structure and function of the human organism in health and disease. A well-balanced presentation gives the student an understanding of the essential features of the life processes: digestion, excretion, physical and mental growth, nutrition, metabolism, energy, nervous control, the significance of development defects, behavior, and other elements fundamental to the understanding of pathological conditions. An understanding of structure and function makes it possible for students to identify deviations from the normal and provides the essential facts required later for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of disease.

A minimum of four academic years of study at a chiropractic college, including practice in a teaching clinic, is required for the doctor of chiropractic degree.

In the teaching clinics of the colleges, the advanced student obtains experience in diagnosis, treatment or referral, that represents the culmination of the academic learning experience and the transition from student to chiropractic physician.

 

Pre-Chiropractic College

All candidates must furnish proof of having acquired three years of 90 acceptable hours leading to a baccalaureate degree in the arts and sciences. No more than 20 semester hours of a candidate's preprofessional education (in courses other than the natural, biological and physical sciences) can have been acquired through CLEP exam or through challenging courses. Matriculants must present a minimum of:

English or Communicative Skills - 1 Academic Year (not less than 6 semester hours)

Psychology - 1/2 Academic Year (not less than 3 semester hours)

Social Sciences or Humanities - 1/2 Academic Year (not less than 3 semester hours)

Biological Science (with related laboratory) - 1 Academic Year (not less than 6 semester hours)

General or Inorganic Chemistry (with related laboratory) - 1 Academic Year (not less than 6 semester hours)

Organic Chemistry (with related laboratory) - 1 Academic Year (not less than 6 semester hours)

Physics (with related laboratory) - 1 Academic Year (not less than 6 semester hours)

 
 

 Chiropractic Education

Chiropractic colleges require a minimum of four academic years of professional resident study (not less than 4,200 clock hours), 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.

Offerings

The offerings include the following disciplines:

  • Human anatomy: myology, osteology, arthrology, histology, angiology, genesiology, splanchnology;

  • Neurology: central nervous system and peripheral nervous system;

  • Embryology;

  • Special senses;

  • Human dissection and topographical anatomy;

  • Biochemistry;

  • Physiology: cellular physiology, general physiology, cardiovascular physiology, endocrine physiology, neurophysiology, digestion and nutritional physiology, renal and pulmonary physiology;

  • Pathology: microbiology, general pathology, hematology, public health and sanitation, neuromusculoskeletal pathology cardiovascular pathology, gastrointestinal and urogenital pathology;

  • Laboratory procedures;

  • Roentgenology: physics, positioning and diagnosis;

  • Diagnosis: roentgenological, physical, regional, neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis;

  • Clinical human behavior;

  • Obstetrics and gynecology;

  • Pediatrics and febrile disorders;

  • Geriatrics and cardiovascular disorders;

  • Toxicology;

  • Dermatology;

  • Otolaryngology;

  • Psychology;

  • Dietetics;

  • Orthopedics;

  • Physical therapy;

  • First aid and emergency procedures;

  • Spinal analyses;

  • Principles and practice of chiropractic: manipulation, mobilization, manual therapy, adjustive techniques and clinic.

Such courses are taught in sufficient depth to fulfill the concept of the chiropractic physician as set forth within the Educational Standards of the Council on Chiropractic Education.

The above standards of the CCE have been adopted by the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB). The FCLB has recommended to the various state licensing boards that a rule of law be adopted, either by statute or by administrative regulation, wherein it will be provided as follows:

"All applicants for licensure who matriculate in a chiropractic college after October 1, 1975, must present evidence of having graduated from a chiropractic college having status with the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Chiropractic Education, or its successor, or from a chiropractic college which meets equivalent standards thereof."

 The Council on Chiropractic Education

The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) and its Commission on Accreditation is recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education as an authority on the quality of training offered by chiropractic colleges.

The purpose of the CCE, as a reputable national organization can be briefly stated as: (1) advocating high standards of quality in chiropractic education; (2) establishing criteria of institutional excellence for educating primary health care chiropractic physicians; (3) inspecting and accrediting colleges through its Commission on Accreditation; and (4) publishing lists of those institutions which conform to its standards and policies.

Certain requirements must be met before a chiropractic college is considered for evaluation. First, requirements for a standard basic curriculum must be met. Second, prescriptions are met by CCE for faculty qualifications, faculty-student ratios, library holdings, and physical governance, administration, and financial stability. Third, a student entrance requirement of a minimum of two years of college work with a prescribed science content must be maintained.

The CCE is also recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation (CORPA), formerly the Council on Postsecondary Education (COPA), for programs leading to the doctor of chiropractic degree. CORPA, a private, non-profit educational association evaluates and recognizes responsible accrediting agencies in the United States.

In addition, CCE is a member of the Council of Specialized Accrediting Agencies (CSAA), and autonomous, nongovernmental accreditation agency. CSAA fosters the maintenance of high standards within the spectrum of postsecondary education.

 


 

 
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