Doctors of Chiropractic (D.C.) comprise the
second largest health care profession with over 50,000 practitioners in
the U.S. They earn the title "doctor" along with medical
doctors (M.D.), doctors of osteopathy (D.O.), and dentists (D.D.S.).
The educational process leading to the
title Doctor of Chiropractic is quite similar to that of an M.D. and D.O.
In order to earn a D.C. degree, a student must complete several years of
pre-chiropractic studies at colleges or universities, followed by 5
academic years of chiropractic education (totaling a minimum of 7 years of
study).
The chiropractic student's last year is
spent in a clinical internship (similar to MD or DO
"rotations"). During this time the chiropractic intern,
under the supervision of a licensed D.C., will consult, examine and treat
patients in a clinic setting. Upon graduation and earning the Doctor
of Chiropractic degree, a state licensing exam must be passed in order to
practice.
Chiropractic students study many of the
same textbooks as medical and osteopathic students. As a matter of
fact, a chiropractic student accumulates more course hours in anatomy,
physiology, biomechanics (how the body moves), neurology, and nutrition
than their medical and osteopathic colleagues.
