Chiropractic education
Chiropractic education trains students in chiropractic. The entry criteria, structure, teaching methodology and nature of chiropractic programs offered at chiropractic schools vary considerably around the world. Accredited Doctor of Chiropractic programs include instruction in several academic areas including neurology, radiology, microbiology, psychology, ethics, biology, gross anatomy, biochemistry, spinal anatomy and more. Prospective students are also usually trained in clinical nutrition, public health, pediatrics and other health or wellness related areas.
The entry criteria, structure, teaching methodology and nature of chiropractic programs offered at chiropractic schools vary considerably around the world, although in the United States programs are required to teach specific areas for accreditation purposes.
A 2005 World Health Organization guideline states regardless of the model of education utilized, prospective chiropractors without relevant prior health care education or experience must spend no less than 4200 student/teacher contact hours in four years of full-time education. This includes a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised clinical training. Students must pass boards administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners to be licensed to practice in a U.S. state or territory. The boards consists of parts I, II, III, and IV, as well as other additional tests required by state or if desired by students such as the physiotherapy exam.
History
In 1908, chiropractic education originally began with a few months of training for chiropractic spinal manipulation. Over the next several years it grew to 18 months of training. In the 1920s the education expanded again to include subjects such as anatomy, physiology and histology. It was not until the 1950s that chiropractic schools began requiring college coursework as a prerequisite for admission. While chiropractic education continued to expand its educational requirements, the education still varied between institutions due to there being no single regulatory agency overseeing chiropractic education. This changed in 1974, with the Council for Chiropractic Educate being appointed as the official chiropractic accrediting agency.As chiropractic grew, there were two distinct groups that emerged in the profession; Straights and Mixers. The Straights emphasized a vitalistic philosophy and used spinal manipulation as their sole method of treatment. They had the belief that all disease originated from the spine. Mixers utilized spinal manipulation, but in conjunction with other therapies such as physical therapy, nutrition, electrical muscle stimulation, and more. Mixer chiropractic schools offered more medical training, which initially resulted in significant controversy. In 1997, American chiropractic schools tended to have lower entry requirements than medical or dental schools. A 2005 report stated "Early chiropractic education included classes in some basic and clinical sciences along with philosophy of chiropractic."
Training
Chiropractic education consists of college- or university-based training and education in the field of chiropractic as well as various certificates, certifications, licenses and diplomas. Regardless of the model of education utilized, prospective chiropractors without prior health care education or experience must spend no less than 4200 student/teacher contact hours in four years of full-time education. This calculates out to 21 hours per week, using a standard 50-week year. This includes a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised clinical training. The gross anatomy curricula of most chiropractic programs require students to spend time performing human cadaver dissection. Upon meeting all clinical and didactic requirements of chiropractic school, a degree in chiropractic is granted. However, in order to legally practice, chiropractors, like all self regulated health care professionals, must be licensed. Licensure is granted following successful completion of all state/provincial and national board exams so long as the chiropractor maintains malpractice insurance. Nonetheless, there are still some variations in educational standards internationally, depending on admission and graduation requirements. Chiropractic is regulated in North America by state/provincial statute, and also—to some extent—by the Business and Professions Code —and the Case Law. Further, it has been argued that, at least in some states, that this license subsumed the previous "drugless practitioner" license, and includes—within its scope of practice—that of the previous discipline.In some countries, like the United States, chiropractors earn a professional doctorate where training is entered after obtaining between 90 and 120 credit hours of university level work and in most cases after obtaining a bachelor's degree. The World Health Organization lists three potential educational paths involving full-time chiropractic education around the globe. This includes: one to four years of pre-requisite training in basic sciences at university level followed by a four-year full-time doctorate program; DC. A five-year integrated bachelor degree; BSc. A two-to-three-year master's degree following the completion of a bachelor's degree leads to the MSc. In South Africa the Masters of Technology in Chiropractic is granted following six years of university.
Doctors of Chiropractic who wish to practice in New Mexico can prescribe certain medications. These doctors are required to obtain additional license and credentials from the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy and apply for a "Chiropractic Advanced Practice" Certification from the New Mexico Department of Regulations and Licensing
International degrees in chiropractic
Various degree designations for the chiropractic field exist in different countries. They generally follow the Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate scheme.| Degree | Full Name | Country in which it is awarded |
| D.C. and M.S. | Doctor of Chiropractic & Master of Science | South Korea |
| B.App.Sc.. & B.C.Sc. | Bachelor of Applied Science & Bachelor of Chiropractic Science | |
| B.Sc. & B.C. | Bachelor of Science & Bachelor of Chiropractic | Australia |
| B.App.Sc. & M.Clin.Chiro. | Bachelor of Applied Science & Master of Clinical Chiropractic | Australia |
| B.Chiro. | Bachelor of Chiropractic | New Zealand |
| B.Chiro. & M.Chiro | Bachelor of Chiropractic & Master of Chiropractic | Australia |
| B.Sc. Chiro | Bachelor of Science Chiropractic | Malaysia |
| B.Tech. and M.Tech. | Bachelor in Technology & Master in Technology | South Africa |
| D.C. | Doctor of Chiropractic | Brazil, Canada, France, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, United States |
| M.C. or M.Chiro. | Master of Chiropractic | Australia, Switzerland, UK |
| M.C.B. | Master in Clinical Biomechanics | Denmark |
| M.Sc. or M.Chiro | Master of Science | Turkey |
Licensure and regulation
Regulations for chiropractic practice vary considerably from country to country. In some countries, such as the United States of America, Canada and some European countries, chiropractic has been legally recognized. In these countries, the profession is regulated and the prescribed educational qualifications are generally consistent, satisfying the requirements of the respective accrediting agencies. However, many countries have not yet developed chiropractic education or established laws to regulate the qualified practice of chiropractic. In addition, in some countries, other qualified health professionals and lay practitioners may use techniques of spinal manipulation and claim to provide chiropractic services, although they may not have received chiropractic training in an accredited program.Chiropractic is governed internationally by the Councils on Chiropractic Education International. This body is recognized by the World Federation of Chiropractic and the World Health Organization as the accrediting agency for schools of chiropractic around the world.
The minimum prerequisite for enrollment in a chiropractic college set forth by the CCE is 90 semester hours. Common prerequisite classes include those of the biological, chemical, & physical sciences, including: human anatomy and physiology, embryology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, cellular biology, exercise physiology, kinesiology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology/pharmacology, nutrition, nuclear medicine, physics, biomechanics, and statistics. Chiropractic programs require at least 4,200 hours of combined classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience.
Australia
The Chiropractors' Association of Australia has provided instructions for students who intend on becoming registered chiropractors in Australia. The profession is regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.Canada
There are currently two schools of chiropractic in Canada: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, in Toronto, Ontario and the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec. Both programs are fully accredited by the Canadian Federation of Chiropractic Regulatory and Educational Accrediting Boards. In 2010, the majority of students entering the CMCC program had completed a baccalaureate university degree, and approximately 3% have a graduate degree. The CMCC program is a privately funded institution and requires four years of full-time study, including a 12-month clinical internship. The UQTR and CMCC programs both include courses in anatomy, biochemistry, embryology, immunology, microbiology, neurology, clinical nutrition, pathology, physiology, principles of chiropractic, radiology, and other basic and clinical medical sciences.Pilot projects involving doctors of chiropractic in hospital emergency rooms in the province of Ontario were underway in 2011, but as of 2020 the website states chiropractors only see patients based on referral. Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board requires all candidates to complete a 12-month clinical internship to obtain licensure, as well as write a total of three exams in their fourth year of study. Candidates must successfully pass Components A and B to be eligible for the Clinical Skills Examination.