The following is a description of the current requirements to become a licensed doctor of chiropractic (DC).
These particular educational requirements are in place at
Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.
For further information, contact the Admissions Department at 1-800-PCC-ALUM or visit the school web site -- http://www.palmer.edu

Pre-Requisites:

• Candidates for admission to Palmer College must have completed at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours leading to a baccalaureate degree in an accredited college or university program.

• A cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in these courses is beneficial, although, if the student's GPA is between 2.25 and 2.75 with other factors being strong, the student may be considered for admission.  The average student enters Palmer with a 3.0 GPA in pre-requisite courses.

     Required courses:

• General Biology (lecture and lab)       --  1 academic year (6 semester hours)
• Inorganic Chemistry (lecture and lab) --  1 academic year (6 semester hours)
• Organic Chemistry (lecture and lab)   --  1 academic year (6 semester hours)
• Physics (lecture and lab)                    --  1 academic year (6 semester hours)
• English/Communication                      --  6 semester hours
• Psychology                                        --  3 semester hours
• Social Sciences/Humanities                --  15 semester hours

The Palmer College Curriculum (Doctorate program):

• Five academic year program (10 semesters).  Can be completed in 3 and 1/3 calendar years on the trimestral system (3 semesters per calendar year).
• Minimum of 4,620 classroom hours.
• Minimum of 308 semester credit-hours.
• First Trimester:  (29 hours)
  • Philosophy I
  • Neuroanatomy I and Lab
  • Principles of Anatomy
  • Gross Anatomy I and Lab
  • Embryology
  • Biochemistry I and Lab
  • Neurophysiology I and Lab
• Second Trimester:  (29 hours)
  • Philosophy II -- Ethics
  • Gross Anatomy II and Lab
  • Spinal Anatomy and Lab
  • Cellular Physiology and Lab
  • Neurophysiology II and Lab
  • Endocrinology and Lab
  • Biochemistry II and Lab
  • Introduction to Scientific Research
• Third Trimester:  (30 hours)
  • Organ Histology and Lab
  • Neuroanatomy II
  • Cardiovasculopulmonary Physiology and Lab
  • Neurophysiology III
  • Pathology -- Fundamentals
  • Microbiology and Lab
  • Immunology and Communicable Diseases
  • Palpation
• Fourth Trimester:  (31 hours)
  • Philosophy III -- History of Chiropractic
  • Digestive Physiology and Nutrition
  • Renal Physiology
  • Public Health
  • Pathology -- Systems
  • Radiology I -- Technology and Protection
  • Toggle-Recoil Technique
  • Instrumentation
• Fifth Trimester:  (31 hours)
  • Toxicology
  • Radiology II -- Osseous Interpretation
  • Cervical Technique
  • Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis I
  • Physical Diagnosis
  • Clinical Psychology
• Sixth Trimester:  (30 hours)
  • Philosophy IV -- Subluxation Complex and Health
  • Radiology III -- Advanced Interpretation
  • Thoraco-lumbar Technique
  • Pelvic Technique
  • Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis II
  • Geriatrics
  • Obstetrics and Pediatrics
• Seventh Trimester:  (30 hours)
  • Radiology IV -- Positioning
  • Technique Principles and Practice
  • Extremity Adjusting
  • Visceral Disorders and Laboratory Interpretation
  • Gender Disorders
  • Clinical Methods
  • Emergency Procedures
• Eighth Trimester:  (30 hours)
  • Philosophy V -- Clinical Applications
  • Spinal Biomechanics
  • Jurisprudence and Risk Management
  • Basics of Practice
  • Insurance Reporting
  • Special Topics in Radiology
  • Clinical Case Correlations I
  • *Clinic I
• Ninth Trimester:  (32 hours)
  • Introduction to Finance
  • Practice Management
  • Business Communications
  • Clinical Case Correlations II
  • *Clinic II
• Tenth Trimester:  (28 hours)
  • Clinical Case Correlations III
  • *Clinic III
• Selectives:  (8 hours)
  • 8 credit hours minimum to be taken from a variety of other courses (special techniques, etc.) in sixth trimester or above.

     *Clinic requirements necessary for graduation include 200 outpatient treatments, 50 student treatments, 50 observations minimum.  Several clinical competency measures are assessed during each patient treatment.

Other Requirements:

• National Board Examinations.  Parts I, II, III, and IV.  (Requirements vary by state.)
• State Board Examinations and other licensing requirements.  (Varies by state.)
• Continuing Education classes.  (Requirements vary by state.)

Other Academic Programs:

     The above requirements are in reference to the Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree.  Palmer College also offers a Bachelor of Science degree which can be earned along with the D.C. degree.  This requires the completion of extra courses.  The Chiropractic Technologist (C.T.) degree is offered utilizing a one-year, three trimester program.  A C.T. can conduct chiropractic exams, manage an office, and take X-rays in most states.  A Master of Science degree program and several residency programs are also available at the college.

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