Pre-Chiropractic

What is the Pre-Chiropractic Program?

Students prepare for entry to a Chiropractic graduate program by obtaining a baccalaureate degree, completing the prerequisite course work for entry into specific programs, and by obtaining a volunteer clinical experience under the direction of a chiropractor. Students may complete undergraduate degrees in any area.

Information about the field can be obtained from the American Chiropractic Association website. Specific information on degree programs can be obtained from listings on the ACA Students page.

Most programs base their requirements for admission on the prerequisites established by The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). These standards have been used in the plan of study listed below. Students are encouraged to review prerequisite courses for programs they wish to be qualified for, early in their academic planning to determine if they deviate from these requirements, and to develop a plan of study within the first quarter of entry to Western.

Pre-Chiropractic is not a major at WWU. Examples of Western majors that cover some or all of the prerequisites include: Anthropology/Biology, Community Health, and Kinesiology - Pre-Healthcare Professions.

Requirements

Freshman/Sophomore Years:

  • Meet with a Pre-Chiropractic advisor to complete a plan of study.
  • Complete:
    • 9 quarter hours of English Communication and/or English Language Skills.1
    • 22.5 quarter hours of Social Sciences or Humanities (sociology, economics, literature, history, political science, art or music appreciation or history, religion, foreign language, or philosophy).2
    • MATH 114, 115 (as pre-req for Chem 121 and Physics 114) (see GUR note3).
    • 18 quarter hours of Chemistry4 (At least 9 quarter credits must include laboratories).
      • At least 4.5 quarter credits of general/inorganic chemistry. Chem 121 (5) (see GUR note5) (5 lab credits).
      • 4.5 quarter credits of other chemistry. Chem 122 (5) (5 lab credits) (see GUR note6).
      • At least 9 quarter credits of organic/biochemistry7. Chem 251 (5) Elem Organic Chem (pre-req chem. 121, 5 lab credits), Chem 375 (4) Elements of Biochem (pre-req chem. 251).
    • 4.5 quarter hours of psychology.
      • PSY 101 (5) (see GUR note8).
    • 9 quarter hours of Biology (must include pertinent laboratory experiences).
      • BIOL 204 (4), 205 (5) (both include labs).
    • 9 quarter hours of Physics with corresponding lab in at least one of the physics classes.
      • Physics 114 (5), 115 (5) (with lab)
    • Other GURs.

Junior Year:

  • Work on completing:
    • Other Chiropractic program requirements.9
    • Clinical experience hours.
    • Major requirements.

Senior Year:

  • Request letters of recommendation from professors, adminstrators and professionals.
  • Complete remaining Chiropractic program requirements.
  • Complete major requirements.
  • Two quarters before graduation, meet with major faculty advisor for major evaluation and apply for graduation.

1These can be obtained by planning courses within the ACOM (ENG 101(5)) and BCOM (COMM 101(4)) portions of the GUR requirements.

2These can be obtained by planning courses within the Humanities, SSC, ACGM and BCGM portions of the GUR requirements.

3Math 114 or Math 115 fulfills QSR GUR requirement.

4Note that Western States Chiropractic College states that students generally earn more than the minimum number of required chemistry and biology credits.

5Chemistry 121 and 122 contribute to fulfilling the Natural Sciences GUR requirement.

6Chemistry 123 contributes to fulfilling the Natural Sciences GUR requirement.

7Some schools require additional organic chemistry. E.g., Texas Chiropractic College (Nov 2011) requires 9 quarter hours of organic chem, and must include lab activities.

8PSY 101 contributes to fulfillment of SSC GUR requirement.

9You must examine the requirements of Chiropractic schools you wish to qualify to apply to, and ensure you complete their requirements by discussing these requirements with your advisor so they can be included in your plan of study. For example, Western States Chiropractic College recommends a full-year sequence of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics as the best preparation for the chiropractic curriculum.

Other Information about this Major:

Please contact your major department advisor for major and graduation requirement advising.

Department

Contact

Pre-Chiropractic Information:

http://www.wwu.edu/alliedhealth/

WWU Pre- Chiropractic Advisors for all majors:

Dr. Gordon Chalmers
ET 275, 360-650-3113
Gordon.Chalmers@wwu.edu

Dr. Dave Suprak
CV 105, 360-650-2586
Dave.Suprak@wwu.edu

 

To schedule a meeting with an advisor:

Contact Sherena Geariety
CV 102, 360-650-3505
sherena.geariety@wwu.edu

She will assign you to an advisor. Then you should contact your assigned advisor to schedule an appointment.