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Admissions Requirements

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What are the prerequisites for a doctor of chiropractic degree?

Life Chiropractic College West follows the guidelines for enrollment established by the CCE (Council on Chiropractic Education). The CCE accredits all DC (Doctor of Chiropractic) programs in the US and is recognized by the US Secretary of Education.

Logo for CCE: The Council on Chiropractic Education

Evaluating Transferable Semester Units

To qualify for admissions to a chiropractic doctoral degree program, entering students must have earned a minimum of 90 transferable semester units (135 quarter units) from a nationally or regionally accredited institution.  Students who have carried a 3.0 GPA or above (out of 4.0) will be considered for our standard and/or accelerated program.  Students with a 2.75 GPA but are falling short of the 3.0 guideline will be reviewed and will be considered for an Alternative Admissions Track Program.

While the 90-unit threshold is nationally dictated by the CCE, it also ensures that students have the foundation necessary to succeed in a post-graduate level environment.

Science Prerequisites for a Chiropractic Degree:

24 of the 90 semester unit requirement (36 quarter units) must have come from Life or Physical Science courses.  At least half of those science courses must have had a substantive lab component.

If you’re still completing your undergraduate degree, we strongly encourage you to work with our admissions staff to help select the courses that will best prepare you for success in chiropractic school and beyond.

Recommended science courses:

  • Anatomy & Physiology I and II
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Kinesiology
  • Chemistry I and II
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biomechanics
  • Human Anatomy
  • Physics I and II
  • Nutrition
  • Microbiology

Also accepted as science courses (but not limited to):

  • Organic Chemistry I and II
  • Statistics
  • Genetics
  • Astronomy

General Studies Prerequisites:

While there are no specific requirements when it comes to general studies credits, Life Chiropractic College West strongly recommends a well-rounded course of study and we require transferable credits to be 100-level courses or above.

The following course types are often helpful in preparing you to earn your doctoral degree and in the chiropractic profession as you transition into a career after graduating:

  • English
  • Human Development
  • Information Systems
  • Rhetoric
  • Philosophy
  • Speech
  • Psychology
  • Business
  • Ethics
  • Communication

AATP:  Alternative Admissions Track Program

Applicants who have earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on a scale of 4.0 for the required 90-semester units will be reviewed by the admissions committee and may be admitted on an alternate admissions track (AATP).

Applicants with an undergraduate degree may be admitted with all majors, including those with and without a science emphasis. Those applicants with a degree without the science emphasis will be reviewed by the admissions committee and may be admitted on an alternate admissions track (AATP).