Doctor of Chiropractic Program

The rigorous Doctor of Chiropractic program at Keiser University prepares graduates to truly make a difference by relieving patients’ pain, improving their mobility, and guiding them to lead healthier lives. The program combines traditional lectures with small-group learning, weekly conferences and seminars, laboratory and experiential sessions, and clinical training opportunities — all with an emphasis on case-based relevancy for chiropractic practice, a profession dedicated to excellence in spine care.

At a Glance

Program Description

Keiser University College of Chiropractic Medicine located in West Palm Beach is South Florida’s only Doctor of Chiropractic Program. Our professional program consisting of ten semesters of study which are completed over 40 months.  It combines traditional lectures with small group learning, weekly conferences and seminars, laboratory and experiential sessions, and clinical training opportunities at a number of sites.  All coursework includes case-based relevancy for chiropractic practice as a portal-of-entry profession dedicated to excellence in spine care.

Throughout the ten semesters of study, a number of cross-cutting themes are embedded within the courses, enabling students to integrate their studies around a clinically relevant framework.  These themes all focus on the role of chiropractic as a conservative clinical approach to spine care, and include chiropractic sports medicine, chiropractic geriatrics, and chiropractic general practice, as well as other cross-cutting themes such as wellness and health maintenance; ethic, professionalism and life-long learning; and, the role of the chiropractor as a team member in mainstream healthcare and public health.  The Doctor of Chiropractic Program emphasizes the promotion of evidence-based health care, inter-professional collaboration and practice, and the highest standards of professional ethics.

The Doctor of Chiropractic degree program at the Keiser University College of Chiropractic Medicine is awarded programmatic accreditation with imposed probation by The Council on Chiropractic Education, 8049 North 85th Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85258-4321, Phone: (480) 443-8877, Website: www.cce-usa.org.

Program Mission and Vision

Our vision is to be the nation’s leading college of chiropractic medicine. This vision includes both preparing Doctors of Chiropractic to serve the citizens of Florida and beyond, through excellence in care, education, and research and to provide national and international leadership as an exemplar of chiropractic medical education.

The mission of the Doctor of Chiropractic program at Keiser University is to graduate doctors of chiropractic medicine focused on whole-person health to serve the needs of diverse communities. Committed to a “students first” philosophy, the Doctor of Chiropractic program provides leadership through excellence and innovation in education, research, and evidence-informed patient care.

Email us or call the West Palm Beach Office of Admissions at 1-561-471-6000 or toll free at 1-888-534-7379 for more information regarding our Doctor of Chiropractic program!

What Can You Expect to Learn

Keiser University’s Doctor of Chiropractic program prepares students to:

  • Utilize history taking, physical examination, diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing to collect data, and apply clinical reasoning skills to assess those data in order to arrive at a diagnosis.
  • Develop, implement, and document a patient care plan which includes specific therapeutic goals and prognoses.
  • Assess the need for health promotion and disease prevention strategies to address the needs of patients and communities.
  • Develop effective interpersonal and communication skills for a wide range of healthcare related activities including patient care, professional collaboration, health education, as well as the documenting and reporting of healthcare information.
  • Understand, comply with, and rigorously implement accepted standards of professional ethics and jurisprudence.
  • Locate, critically appraise, and utilize relevant scientific literature and information to assess and improve patient care practices.
  • Independently and competently select and perform chiropractic manual and manipulative  procedures.
  • Apply the values and principles of team dynamics to perform effectively in healthcare delivery and leadership teams.

Program Objectives

Students are able to integrate their studies within a clinically relevant framework, with cross-cutting themes such as chiropractic sports medicine, chiropractic general practice, and chiropractic geriatrics. Our Doctor of Chiropractic program emphasizes the promotion of evidence-based health care, interprofessional collaboration, and the highest standards of patient care and professional ethics. Our graduates will practice in a variety of clinical environments as team members in the health care system, becoming vital contributors to the well-being of all.

Chiropractic Medicine is:

  • Evidence-based
  • Integrated with mainstream health care delivery
  • Spine focused
  • No longer “alternative”

Program Outline

To receive a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Keiser University, students must complete the prescribed course of study within a maximum of 6 years. The program consists of 10 semesters of continuous study over 40 months, totaling 217 credit hours. Over 25% of this consists of clinical experience in a variety of settings. Throughout the program, crosscutting themes are embedded in the coursework, covering major areas of relevance to chiropractic practice, such as chiropractic sports medicine and chiropractic geriatrics.

Graduate Division Courses

Biochemistry 15.0 credit hours
Physiology 13.0 credit hours
Biochemistry 23.0 credit hours
Physiology 23.0 credit hours
Gross and Spinal Anatomy 18.0 credit hours
Histology2.0 credit hours
Gross and Spinal Anatomy 25.0 credit hours
Gross Anatomy 35.0 credit hours
Embryology and Genetics1.0 credit hour
Neuroscience6.0 credit hours
Pathology 13.0 credit hours
Chiropractic Therapeutics 13.0 credit hours
Principles of Chiropractic Practice 11.0 credit hour
Chiropractic Therapeutics 25.0 credit hours
Principles of Chiropractic Practice 21.0 credit hour
Chiropractic Therapeutics 35.0 credit hours
Principles of Chiropractic Practice 31.0 credit hour
Clinical and Professional Development 11.0 credit hour
Clinical Case Conference 11.0 credit hour
Clinical and Professional Development 22.0 credit hours
Grand Rounds1.0 credit hour
Clinical and Professional Development 31.0 credit hour
Grand Rounds1.0 credit hour
Pathology 23.0 credit hours
Clinical Microbiology and Immunology4.0 credit hours
Diagnostic and Clinical Sciences 1 – Examination5.0 credit hours
Diagnostic and Clinical Sciences 2 – Introduction to Orthopedics3.0 credit hours
Diagnostic and Clinical Sciences 3 – Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis3.0 credit hours
Diagnostic and Clinical Sciences 4 – Orthopedics3.0 credit hours
Diagnostic and Clinical Sciences 5 – Clinical Laboratory Seminar1.0 credit hour
Diagnostic and Clinical Sciences 6 – Neurology3.0 credit hours
Diagnostic Imaging 1 Technique3.0 credit hours
Diagnostic Imaging 2 Technique2.0 credit hours
Chiropractic Therapeutics 45.0 credit hours
Principles of Chiropractic Practice 41.0 credit hour
Chiropractic Therapeutics 5 – Clinical Nutrition3.0 credit hours
Chiropractic Therapeutics 65.0 credit hours
Chiropractic Therapeutics 7 – Physiological Therapeutics3.0 credit hours
Chiropractic Therapeutics 84.0 credit hours
Chiropractic Therapeutics 9 – Rehabilitation3.0 credit hours
Clinical and Professional Development 42.0 credit hours
Grand Rounds1.0 credit hour
Clinical and Professional Development 52.0 credit hours
Clinical Practice 14.0 credit hours
Grand Rounds1.0 credit hour
Clinical and Professional Development 62.0 credit hours
Clinical Practice 24.0 credit hours
Grand Rounds1.0 credit hour
Diagnostic and Clinical Sciences 7 – Orthopedics3.0 credit hours
Diagnostic and Clinical Sciences 8 – Systems Disorders5.0 credit hours
Diagnostic and Clinical Sciences 9 – Emergency Care1.0 credit hour
Diagnostic and Clinical Sciences 10 – Women’s Health and Chiropractic Pediatrics3.0 credit hours
Diagnostic and Clinical Sciences 11 – Pharmacology1.0 credit hour
Diagnostic and Clinical Sciences 12 – Systems Disorders5.0 credit hours
Diagnostic and Clinical Sciences 13 – Chiropractic Geriatrics3.0 credit hours
Diagnostic and Clinical Sciences 14 – Public Health1.0 credit hour
Diagnostic and Clinical Sciences 15 – Topics in Contemporary Healthcare1.0 credit hour
Diagnostic Imaging 3 Technique and Interpretation3.0 credit hours
Diagnostic Imaging 4 Interpretation3.0 credit hours
Diagnostic Imaging 5 – Interpretation1.0 credit hour
Chiropractic Therapeutics 10 – Nutritional Therapy Seminar1.0 credit hour
Clinical and Professional Development 71.0 credit hour
Clinical Practice 3 – Pre-clerkship5.0 credit hours
Grand Rounds1.0 credit hour
Clinical and Professional Development 82.0 credit hours
Clinical Practice 4 – Clerkship6.0 credit hours
Grand Rounds1.0 credit hour
Clinical Practice 5 – Clerkship13.0 credit hours
Grand Rounds1.0 credit hour
Clinical Practice 6- Externship and/or Preceptorship15.0 credit hours

Admission Requirements

Keiser University Chiropractic Student Testimonial

Industry-experienced instructors, hands-on learning environment, and a student-first atmosphere – these are just some of the reasons Andrew Calderone chose Keiser University for his Doctorate in Chiropractic program. Watch and let Andrew share his thoughts about how a Keiser University education is preparing him for success.

Accreditation

State Licensure Disclosure

Program Outcomes