Chiropractic Schools and Careers
Interview with a Chiropractic College Professor
Interview with a Chiropractic College Professor
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"Chiropractic is a way of improving health by preventing disease rather than treating it," says Dr. Donald Christy, a practicing chiropractor and professor at Logan College of Chiropractic, located just outside of St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Christy entered private practice after graduating from Logan College in 1979. During the course of his chiropractic career, he went back to school to obtain a Doctorate in Education and now serves as a highly respected member of Logan's faculty.
Chiropractic Stands Among the Top Professions to Enter
Through his experience as a teacher and practitioner, Dr. Christy has witnessed significant shifts in his industry. "There are about 60,000 practicing chiropractors in the United States today," he says. "10,000 more than when I started in 1979." What's more, his field, which was not licensed in every state when he started practicing, is now regulated in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Chiropractic Schools & Licensure: The Credentials Needed to Practice
While he highly promotes entry into chiropractic, Dr. Christy cautions prospective students, "This is a major career choice that involves sacrifices—time, family and finances. You need to be fully committed."
To practice, individuals must earn a Doctorate of Chiropractic, which typically involves five academic years of study, including at least one year of clinical training. Graduates also have to pass state and national board exams to obtain a license.
What to Look for in a Chiropractic Schools & Education
Students considering a chiropractic career should interview practicing chiropractors. According to Dr. Christy, "chiropractors are generally delighted to talk to prospective students, and spending time in a chiropractic office can give you a realistic picture of the profession." Not to mention, practitioners can offer you direction toward a chiropractic school.
For students who decide to pursue chiropractic training, Christy recommends the following steps prior to college:
- Visit at least three accredited chiropractic colleges. Your best choices will offer a science-oriented education, including classes in general chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology as well as providing continuing education and advanced degree programs.
- Sit in on classes and talk to students and faculty. Make sure the chiropractic school uses up-to-date technology and that the faculty members are active practitioners as well as teachers.
- Look at each school's history of successful graduates. Logan College, for example, has a 92% graduation rate and enrolled approximately 300 students this year.
Finally, prepare for a full-time course schedule at chiropractic school. At Logan College, students attend classes five days a week, starting their day shortly after 7 a.m. and ending it close to 5 p.m. They can also stay later to work in the labs.
The Other Side of Chiropractic: Competing in the Business World
Along with a sound education in the chiropractic field, Christy says students in chiropractic training should leave school with two other essential skills: a deep passion for communicating and an entrepreneurial spirit. "To succeed in the field, you need to have a personal ability to communicate with individuals, and you need to develop a business sense."
Because the majority of chiropractors work in private practice, students in chiropractic college must have the skills to build their own business when they graduate. "Starting a business presents some exciting challenges," Christy says. "If you find this fearsome, reconsider the profession."
Respectability and Credibility
After years in the chiropractic profession, Christy says, "Chiropractic has been a wonderful profession for me, and I'm excited about its future. There's research on the horizon at colleges and universities at a level I could only dream about 20 years ago."
Despite the challenges and criticism that the field has faced, chiropractic has grown to become the second largest group of health care providers in the country today. With more Americans pursuing noninvasive health care options, practitioners can anticipate a thriving future filled with opportunities to do what they do best—help our bodies heal themselves.
Sources: Logan College of Chiropractic,
2007 The American Chiropractic Association, 2007
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