Doctor of Chiropractic Degree Program Mission Statement
The mission of the Doctor of Chiropractic Program is to advance chiropractic by promoting learning, delivering health care, engaging our communities and advancing knowledge through research.
Doctor of Chiropractic Degree Program
The Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree program is the foundation of the educational experience at Palmer College of Chiropractic. The course of study prepares graduates to succeed as primary care professionals for spinal health and well-being.
The curriculum is focused on building core clinical competencies and outcomes called Palmer Abilities, which include patient evaluation skills, patient management skills, philosophy and history of chiropractic, integrating basic science into the practice of chiropractic, critical thinking and problem solving, effective communication, moral reasoning and professional ethics, professional growth and lifelong learning, health care in social and community contexts, and business management skills. The first year of the program is devoted to developing basic science knowledge; the second year to developing clinical science knowledge and skills; and the third and fourth years to applying acquired knowledge and skills in community clinical environments.
Instructional methods include technology-supported lecture, lab, small group interactive sessions, and peer and service learning. The curriculum includes coursework in anatomy, physiology, pathology, public health, chiropractic philosophy, radiology, diagnosis, technique (chiropractic manual procedures), associated clinical sciences (geriatrics, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology) and business and practice management.
A variety of technique electives are also offered to complement the study of adjustive procedures included in the core curriculum. A large number of student clubs comprise a co-curriculum of auxiliary education in technique, philosophy, research, evidence-based care, sports management, and health and fitness, to name a few. The Palmer Center for Business Development offers additional business education and assistance in locating job opportunities and opening, managing and growing a successful chiropractic practice.
Each campus features a professional outpatient clinic, which provides a fertile environment for student interns to train under the tutelage of an experienced faculty mentor. A clinical preceptorship is available to student interns in their final term of enrollment in which “on-the-job” field training occurs in field doctors’ offices or Department of Defense/Veteran’s Administration (DoD/VA) facilities. Most preceptorships offer additional opportunities for students to observe the business operations of a private chiropractic practice.
The degree of Doctor of Chiropractic is awarded based upon successful completion of the required course of study in accordance with the standards of the College, which meet or exceed those of its accrediting agencies. To earn a D.C. degree from the College, a student must satisfy all academic, clinical, technical, professional and ethical requirements and complete not less than the final 25 percent of the total credits required in residence at the College. Up to 75 percent of the total credits may be awarded through advanced standing.
Selection of Candidates
Candidates for admission are selected based on several factors, which may include cumulative grade point average (GPA), total number of credits completed, prerequisite GPA, letters of recommendation and personal profiles/essays. Personal interviews may be conducted. We recommend that you apply as early as possible. Your Admissions Counselor will discuss term availability upon receipt. Applications are accepted and reviewed year round.
Applications are reviewed on an individual basis. Candidates are selected based on availability in upcoming terms. Submission of your application in a timely manner will assist us with meeting your preferred term request.
An offer of acceptance into the Doctor of Chiropractic Program is considered official by the College only when made by way of a written letter sent directly from a representative of the Office of Enrollment/ Admissions to the applicant.
Licensure Requirements
The Doctor of Chiropractic degree, in and of itself, does not entitle the recipient to practice chiropractic. Those who earn the degree must apply for license to practice in the jurisdiction of their choice.
Due to the various licensure requirements in each of the 50 U.S. states, as well as in other countries, it is strongly recommended that applicants contact the respective Board of Examiners regarding pre-chiropractic educational requirements in states and countries where they may consider practicing after graduation. Some states require a bachelor’s degree. To obtain a Florida chiropractic license, an applicant must have obtained a bachelor’s degree prior to licensure from an institution accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, most licensing boards require a criminal background check prior to licensure.
Neither acceptance for admission into the program nor the subsequent earning of a Doctor of Chiropractic degree guarantees that a state or foreign country will grant a graduate a license to practice chiropractic. Each state and foreign country, through its legislative and administrative process, defines the standards of competency and scope of practice of chiropractic within its jurisdiction. Such standards may include, but are not limited to, the pre-chiropractic and chiropractic education of the applicant for licensure.
State boards may accept or require passing of National Board examinations as part of their licensing procedure.
Information on state and international licensing requirements is available from the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Board website at: www.FCLB.org or individually from each state board licensing office.
Technical, Academic and Professional Standards
Palmer College of Chiropractic seeks to prepare its students to become competent, caring Doctors of Chiropractic who serve as primary care providers for the prevention, diagnosis and conservative management of health conditions. In serving the patients’ best interest, a Palmer graduate utilizes the academic and clinical education received by the College in order to make clinical decisions, deliver care and manage identified health concerns and conditions.
The academic, clinical, professional and personal preparation for the practice of chiropractic requires both mental and physical capabilities. To be qualified for the study of chiropractic at Palmer, all qualified applicants and enrolled students must in addition to academic admission requirements, meet the technical, academic and professional standards as well as meet the academic requirement for each individual course and other published College policies with or without approved reasonable accommodations/academic adjustments.
This standard is applicable to all College premises or at College-sponsored or College-related activities or service functions on or off College premises or at non-College activities on or off College premises.
The Technical, Academic, and Professional Standards established by Palmer College of Chiropractic set forth the essential elements required for a Palmer College student. These essential elements are adapted from the Accreditation bodies, from the Counsel of Chiropractic Education and State law standards for the profession in order to meet the required elements for a Palmer College graduate.
In the event a student is unable to fulfill these required standards at any time after admission, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student will not be allowed to continue in the program.
All individuals considering, applying or enrolling in the Doctor of Chiropractic Degree Program must carefully review the technical, academic and professional standards to better understand what is expected at Palmer College of Chiropractic and ensure they are otherwise qualified to engage as a Palmer College student.
The College’s Technical, Academic, and Professional Standards for Admission to, Continuation in and Graduation from the Palmer College Doctor of Chiropractic Program may be accessed online: https://www.palmer.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ip-technical-standards-1.pdf.
Any qualified applicant or student with a disability who seeks a reasonable accommodation to meet the College’s academic, technical or professional standards for admission to or continuation in the College’s educational program and activities, the academic requirement for each individual course or other published College policies must contact the Student Disability Support Center. For more information, refer to the Student Disability Support Center section of this Catalog or you may access the Handbook for Students and Applicants with Disabilities on the College website at: https://www.palmer.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/handbook-for-students-and-applicants-with-disabilities.pdf.
Applicants and students must comply with the process outlined in the Handbook for Students and Applicants with Disabilities for requesting and receiving reasonable accommodations.
While the College strives to accommodate qualified applicants and students as fully as possible, reasonable accommodations do not include: 1) measures that pose a direct threat to the health or safety of self and/or others, 2) measures which lower or fundamentally alter the College’s academic, technical or professional standards, academic requirements for each individual course or other published College policies or 3) measures that pose an undue administrative or financial burden.
Job Classification Code
The job classification codes at the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Doctor of Chiropractic degree program are 29-1010 and 29-1011.
National Board Examinations
National Board examinations are divided into two sections: written examinations (Part I, II, III and Physiotherapy) and practical examinations (Part IV). The written examinations are administered several times per year at multiple test sites in the United States and Canada by the National Board of Chiropractic
Examiners, while the practical examinations are administered at multiple sites in the United States in May and November. All Palmer campuses currently serve as test sites for all national board examinations.
NBCE Pass Rates
Palmer College posts the overall weighted averages of the four (4) most recent years’ National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) examinations Parts I, II, III, and IV success rates which represent the percentage of graduates who have successfully completed all Parts of the NBCE examinations within six months post-graduation. In some instances, the
Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board Part C exam data are used in lieu of NBCE Part IV data. Success rate data can be found on the Palmer website at https://www.palmer.edu/about-palmer/college-profile/.
Chiropractic Degree Requirements
Candidates for the Doctor of Chiropractic degree complete a minimum of five academic years (eight months each of classroom work) in the prescribed curriculum. The college operates on a trimester system, with an academic program consisting of 10 trimesters that can be completed in 3.35 calendar years, which is equal to five academic years. Assuming a normal completion rate and fulfillment of all graduation requirements, students should expect to graduate within 10 trimesters (40 months) of their matriculation date.
The Palmer Florida campus is phasing out a quarter system, with an academic program that consists of 13 quarters that can be completed in 3.25 calendar years, which is equal to 4.33 academic years. The phase out of the quarter system will be completed in 2025. Assuming a normal completion rate and fulfillment of all graduation requirements, students should expect to graduate within 13 quarters (39 months) of their matriculation date.
Students transferring from other accredited chiropractic colleges must complete a minimum of 25 percent of the prescribed curriculum while in residence at the College. The final academic year prior to graduation must be at the Palmer campus conferring the degree.
Clinic Capstone Programs
Intern Preceptorship Program
This program involves a clinical educational experience in an approved field doctor’s chiropractic practice during the student’s last term. This optional program is not a substitution for service in the Palmer Chiropractic Clinics, but rather an additional opportunity for the student after fulfilling the campus clinical quantitative and qualitative requirements. During this program, the intern is supervised and practices under the guidance and license of a chiropractic field doctor contracted with the College as extension or adjunct faculty and within the laws of the state in which the preceptor resides. The intern must also periodically report to the College.
The Post-Graduate Preceptor Program involves service in the preceptor’s practice after the student graduates but prior to state licensure. The intern is supervised and practices under the guidance of the chiropractic field doctor.
Palmer DOD/VA Student Rotation Program
This program offers students a clinical experience opportunity in a Department of Defense (DoD) or Veterans Administration (VA) health-care facility. Working with the staff chiropractor(s) in the facility, students provide chiropractic care to active military personnel and veterans. They also gain insight into developing collaborative relationships with other health professionals. Students are eligible to participate during their last two terms.
Residency Programs
(MAIN)
Additional studies at the College are offered through two post-graduate residency programs on the Main Campus.
Chiropractic Radiology Residency: This in-house three-year program provides education, training and experience in chiropractic radiology and specialized imaging. The resident is then eligible to sit for the board examination administered by the American Chiropractic Board of Radiology.
Chiropractic Rehabilitation Residency: The Rehabilitation Residency is an intensive, clinical postgraduate program focusing on neuro-musculoskeletal rehabilitation care within an interdisciplinary clinical setting. This three-year program follows the educational requirements outlined by the American Chiropractic Rehabilitation Board.
Upon completion, the resident is eligible to sit for a diplomate (DACRB) in chiropractic rehabilitation.
Additional Academic Degree
(MAIN)
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE
To meet the challenges of a growing chiropractic profession, Palmer’s Main Campus offers students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in General Science in addition to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree. For more information on the bachelor’s program, see the Undergraduate Studies section of this catalog.
