The UT Martin Pre-Chiropractic Plan is designed to prepare students for application to a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) program. The courses listed below meet the minimum requirements for admission to chiropractic school as outlined by the Council on Chiropractic Education. By following the Pre-Chiropractic Plan recommendations, students will be eligible for admission into most Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) programs; however, students are strongly encouraged to review the requirements for their school(s) of choice. Additionally, the Pre-Chiropractic Plan is not a major and does not fulfill the requirements for a baccalaureate degree at UT Martin. The courses listed below are recommendations and are not required for degree completion unless also listed under the student’s chosen major.
Most Doctor of Chiropractic programs do not require applicants to earn a baccalaureate degree before matriculation into the professional program; however, students who have earned a baccalaureate degree are often viewed as more competitive than those who have not. The Biology-Cellular and Molecular Concentration and the Health and Human Performance: Exercise Science and Wellness majors include many of the courses listed below; however, students may choose to major in any subject area they wish as long as they also complete the courses required by their chosen D.C. program(s). Additionally, since many chiropractors own their own businesses, students may wish to consider taking business classes as electives and/or combining a science major with a business major or minor.
The minimum requirements listed by the Council on Chiropractic Education for admission to chiropractic school are as follows:
- Complete the equivalent of three academic years of undergraduate study (90 semester hours) at an institution(s)accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education of an equivalent foreign agency;
- earn a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
- earn a minimum of 24 semester hours in life and physical science courses, half of which must have a substantive laboratory component;
- include a well-rounded general education program in the humanities and social sciences in their undergraduate education.
In addition, most D.C. programs require applicants to meet the technical skills as defined by the professional school and have some knowledge of the field from direct observations as part of their pre-professional experiences.