What Chiropractors Study in School

Becoming a chiropractor takes years of hard work and training. Chiropractic school is a four-year graduate programthat combines science, hands-on practice, and real patient care. During those years, students study subjects such as:

  • How the body works – Courses in anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry teach how the muscles, bones, nerves, and organs all connect and function together.

  • The spine and joints – Special classes focus on how the spine moves, how posture affects health, and the techniques used to adjust and restore motion.

  • Understanding health conditions – Training in diagnosis, orthopedics, neurology, and nutrition helps chiropractors recognize what their patients are experiencing and how to help.

  • Hands-on practice with patients – Under supervision, students spend time in teaching clinics, caring for real patients and learning how to put their skills into action.

  • Professional care – Chiropractors also learn ethics, communication, and how to work safely and responsibly as part of the healthcare system.

Altogether, chiropractic students complete more than 4,000 hours of classroom and clinical training before they graduate. This prepares them to provide safe, effective, and personalized care to their future patients.

  • Biochemistry

  • Anatomy

  • Physiology

  • Pathology

  • Psychology

  • Clinical orthopedics

  • Nutrition

  • Obstetrics/Gynecology

  • Pediatrics

  • DermatologyImaging interpretation (X-ray, MRI, and CT)

  • Research methods

  • Integrated chiropractic care

  • Practice management

  • Chiropractic principles

  • Ethics and jurisprudence. 

  • Clinical internships and rotations in hospitals or clinics

Doctors of Chiropractic are primary healthcare professionals focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing spine and other musculoskeletal disorders and their associated effects on body systems. A chiropractor uses a noninvasive, personalized, holistic treatment that addresses the whole body and gives patients the best quality of life possible.

Chiropractors can specialize in areas such as: 

    • Orthopedics 

    • Neurology 

    • Sports 

    • Nutrition 

    • Rehabilitation 

    • Radiology 

    • Family practice 

    • Pediatrics 

    • Geriatrics

What is chiropractic?

The Path to Becoming a Chiropractor

Today, more than 70,000 licensed chiropractors practice in the United States. To reach this point, each chiropractor follows a demanding and highly structured educational path.

The journey begins with undergraduate studies. Most students complete a Bachelor’s degree in health sciences such as biology, chemistry, or physiology. With this foundation, they then enter a four-year chiropractic university.

Upon graduation, students earn the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree—a professional doctorate that requires years of intensive training in anatomy, physiology, neurology, radiology, nutrition, and hands-on clinical practice.

Before they can enter practice, graduates must pass the rigorous National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) Exam, which tests their knowledge, clinical reasoning, and adjusting skills. Only after passing the NBCE can they apply for state licensure.

Every state requires chiropractors to graduate from a school accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), the national accrediting agency that ensures the highest standards in chiropractic education. In short: Becoming a chiropractor takes eight years of hard work, dedication, and specialized education—all to provide safe, natural care for people like you.