The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an above average increase in employment opportunities for chiropractors. As alternative medicine becomes more acceptable and the population ages, it is expected that the profession will grow by 10 percent from 2021 to 2031. Students can expect to spend 3 1/2 years in chiropractic school after the completion of four years of college.
Chiropractors diagnose and treat patients with health problems related to the body's muscular, nervous, and skeletal system, particularly the spine. They view their patients as an integrated being and do not use drugs or surgery. The chiropractic theory states that there are many factors that affect our health, including heredity, type of exercise, environmental surroundings, dietary habits and rest.
Common tasks for a chiropractor include patient examination, analysis of posture and spine position, spinal and joint adjustments, application of heat and ice treatments, and patient lifestyle couseling. Some chiropractors use acupuncture, massage therapy, and ultrasound if they have received such training.
Please review the Pre-Chiropractic Fact Sheet at the right for information about suggested undergraduate courses to prepare for chiropractic school, career outlook for chiropractors, and options for your major. Pre-Chiropractic is not a major, and students must still choose a major. Since most of the pre-requisites necessary for application to Chiropractic school are in the sciences, many students choose a science major, though it is not required. Our specialized pre-chiropractic advisor works with students to ensure they understand all of the milestones that must be met in college in order to be a competitive applicant to Chiropractic school. A significant number of volunteer or work hours is often a requirement for application to Chiropractic school so it is important to work with this advisor beginning in freshman year in order to plan all needed activities into your college career.
UWM partners with four chiropractic colleges:
- Palmer College of Chiropractice in Davenport, Iowa
- Cleveland Chiropractic College in Overland Park, Kansas
- Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, Minnesota
- Logan University in Chesterfield, Missouri
Students who meet certain academic standards may qualify for guaranteed admission at these institutions. Students are encouraged to work closely with the pre-chiropractic advisor in order to plan early for this transition and to understand the specific requirements of these schools.
There are no chiropractic schools in Wisconsin, but our advising will help you prepare for admission at any of the accredited chiropractic schools in the U.S.
A suggested timeline is also available to help you plan preparatory activities throughout your four years in college.