DC Program Prerequisites
The Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program at University of Western States is a rigorous first-professional doctoral degree program whose graduates are trained as primary care chiropractic physicians. Applicants are expected to have undergraduate preparation similar to that of other professional doctoral health care professions.
The University of Western States admission requirements are guided by the academic standards and prerequisites established by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). UWS admission requirements also reflect institutional expectations of candidates.
UWS expects students to be able to read, write, converse, communicate and critically think at a graduate level - thus undergraduate educational choices should reflect knowledge and skills development in these areas.
Although the majority of UWS DC students have completed undergraduate programs in biology, chemistry, kinesiology, or zoology, there is no “best” major for continuing on into chiropractic study. Your choice of major should be guided primarily by your own intellectual interests and aptitudes. Choose a major that you find most interesting, challenging and satisfying, and study subjects that you really enjoy. Most students perform better in a major that captures their interests.
The chart below includes brief descriptions of the types of prerequisite courses expected of prospective students. UWS Admissions advisors are available to help you with specific course selection at your college or university.
| Prerequisite |
Quarter Credits |
Semester Credits |
General Suggestions |
Life & Physical Sciences
UWS recommends a “pre-medical” foundation as the best preparation for the Doctor of Chiropractic curriculum. Such courses typically include a full-year sequence of biology, general chemistry, organic and/ or biochemistry, and physics with related laboratory. Courses should be designed for science majors.
|
36 |
24 |
Preferred sciences: general biology, anatomy, physiology, zoology, general or inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, biomechanics, exercise physiology, statistics
Additional examples: biophysics, human biology, cell biology, microbiology, vertebrate anatomy, evolution, genetics, immunology, developmental biology, anatomical kinesiology, mechanics, bioscience of human movement, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry
|
| Life & Physical Science Labs |
18 |
12 |
At least half of the required life & physical science coursework must include a substantive laboratory component |
| Humanities & Social Sciences |
|
|
Anthropology, art appreciation, comparative religions, English, economics, foreign language, geography, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, speech communication, women’s studies, writing, etc. |
| Additional Courses |
|
|
Select courses that are in your interest area |
| Total Credits Required |
135 |
90 |
|
GPA Requirement- 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Students with a GPA below 3.00 but above 2.75 will be considered on a case-by-case basis
* For Canadian and International students, 3 semester credits is typically equivalent to one half-year course.
Transfer students from other chiropractic programs or students seeking advanced standing based on previous medical education should contact the Admissions Office at 800-641-5641 or admissions@uws.edu for more information on the transfer evaluation process.
DC Program Prerequisites (pdf)