Doctor of Chiropractic Program

The Doctor of Chiropractic program at Keiser University prepares graduates to truly make a difference by helping  patients’ relieve pain, improve their mobility, and guide 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.

Program Objectives

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 Mission and Vision

Our vision is to be the nation’s leading school of chiropractic medicine.  This vision implies a dual charge: to prepare 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.  Our vision will be realized to the extent that others follow us.

Our mission is to graduate caring, critically-thinking Doctors of Chiropractic focusing on spine-care, who will serve the needs of Florida’s citizens and beyond, to a diverse global society.  Our graduates are committed to the highest standards of professional ethics; life-long learning; and, inter-professional collaboration as team members in the delivery of health care.  We provide leadership to the chiropractic profession through excellence and innovation in education, research and 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!

Graduate Division Courses

Molecules and Cells2.0 credit hours
Biochemistry 13.0 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
Chiropractic Therapeutics 111.0 credit hour
Principles of Chiropractic Practice 51.0 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 and Professional Development 91.0 credit hour
Clinical Practice 5 – Clerkship10.0 credit hours
Grand Rounds1.0 credit hour
Clinical Practice 6- Externship and/or Preceptorship15.0 credit hours

Admission Requirements

Candidates for admission to the DC program are required to hold at least a Baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher. Exceptional applicants with three years of undergraduate study (90 semester hours) will be considered for admission if spaces are available. Such students will be required to complete their Baccalaureate degree from Keiser University before graduation from the DC program.

You should meet or exceed these expectations:

  • Credits earned: Minimum 90 semester credits at bachelor’s degree level
  • Well-rounded general education coursework which includes required coursework in life and physical sciences; humanities; social and behavioral sciences; and communications and languages
  • 3.0 GPA or greater on a 4.0 scale* (Note: only course work which resulted in a final grade of “C” or higher will be considered for admission)
  • A Minimum of 24 semester* hours of coursework in life and physical sciences, a minimum of half of which must have a substantive lab component
  • Life and Physical Science Coursework includes Biology (human anatomy, physiology, embryology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, cellular biology, exercise physiology, kinesiology) Chemistry (general chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology/pharmacology, and nuclear medicine) and Physical Sciences (physics, and biomechanics)
  • No fewer than 6 credits must be earned in human-based life science coursework (examples include but are not limited to: Anatomy & Physiology, Kinesiology, Human Biology, Biomechanics, Human Growth and Development, Pathology and appropriate coursework in applied Biology)
  • As the goal of this requirement is for each student to possess a strong understanding and recollection in foundational coursework, the university reserves the right to consider the age of prior coursework and may not find coursework of significant age acceptable for purposes of this determination
  • Meet the technical standards for study in the DC program (with or without reasonable accommodation)
  • Students must accomplish the following prior to graduation: Complete the required course of study, at least 50% of which is completed at Keiser University

*AATP Track: Applicants with less than 24 semester credits in life and physical sciences and/or a cumulative GPA below 3.0 (but not less than 2.75) may be considered under an alternative admissions track plan (AATP). This point of entry requires a more extensive review of the applicant's enrollment factors by both academic and admissions personnel. Decisions for admission are made on a case-by-case basis by the Vice President and/or Dean of the College of Chiropractic Medicine. The AATP admission standard is designed to allow students with various academic backgrounds to enroll in chiropractic school based on the academic achievements they already possess. Prospective students will be encouraged to contact admissions for additional information.  Availability for this track is limited and admission decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. Note: Students admitted under the AATP standard will have an individual academic plan and their progress will be monitored throughout the course of the program to ensure their success.

NOTE: A bachelor’s degree is not required for admission, although some states do require a bachelor’s degree to practice. A bachelor’s degree is necessary and part of the requirements to complete the DCP at Keiser University.

Required Documents for Admission

In addition to meeting the criteria listed above, the student’s application must also include:

  • Submission of a completed Chiropractic College Application
  • Submission of   official   transcripts   from   ALL   previously   attended   post-secondary institutions.
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • A one-page personal statement describing intent to pursue the Doctor of Chiropractic degree
  • An applicant who is from a country where American English is not the primary language or whose bachelor’s degree is not from an accredited US institution, must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test)
  • An interview (in person or by telephone) with the Vice President and/or DCP faculty
  • If on the AATP track, the AATP track admission paperwork signed by student and Vice President and/or Dean of the College of Chiropractic Medicine
  • Successful background check

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

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.

State Licensure Disclosure

Program Outcomes