Pre-Chiropractic Program
Students interested in pursuing a Doctorate of Chiropractic plan on at least three years of prerequisite coursework (90 credits), with many completing a four-year undergraduate degree. The average required GPA is 3.0 or higher and no less than a C in prerequisite coursework. Students can pursue various majors at the undergraduate level, with biology, exercise science, and Medical Arts as preferred areas of study.
Midland University has formal dual degree programs in cooperation with Palmer College of Chiropractic (Iowa, California, and Florida) and Cleveland Chiropractic College (Kansas City and Los Angeles). If students are interested in an accelerated route, they are encouraged to pursue the Medical Arts (3+1) major and will complete three (3) years at Midland, then transfer to Palmer or Cleveland College.
After completing the first year at Palmer or Cleveland, students in the Medical Arts (3+1) earn their Bachelor’s degree from Midland University through their first-year chiropractic school credits, transferring back to Midland. Students must complete an application to the outside institution and meet the GPA (3.0) requirements in their junior year.
After completing the entire program at Palmer or Cleveland, students will receive a Doctorate of Chiropractic.
Fast Facts
Degree: By earning your Bachelor’s Degree at Midland University in the Pre-Chiropractic Program, you will be prepared to jump straight into graduate work in a professional program.
College/School: College of Health Professions/School of Health Sciences
Suggested Majors at Midland University:
Biology – View the Sample Course of Study →
Exercise Science – View Sample Course of Study →
Medical Arts (3+1) – View the Sample Course of Study →
GPA required to enter physical therapy school: Around a 3.0 and no less than a C in prerequisite coursework
Pre-Chiropractic Course Information
These courses are recommended to be taken at Midland University, as students prepare for graduate school in the field of Chiropractic Medicine as part of the Pre-Chiropractic track. All course descriptions can be found in the Academic Catalog.
BIO125: General Biology I with Lab
BIO126: General Biology II with Lab
CHE103: General Chemistry I with Lab
CHE104: General Chemistry II with Lab
PHY151: General Physics I with Lab
BIO204: Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
BIO204: Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
PSY120: Fundamentals of Psychology
MTH140: College Algebra
WRI101: Composition I
PSY120: Fundamentals of Psychology
These courses are typically not required for graduate school in the field of Chiropractic Medicine, but are strongly recommended and may be helpful for students who intent to attend graudate school for Chiropractic Medicine.
CHE407: Biochemistry
BIO215: Microbiology
PSY210: Developmental Psychology
HPM 307: Kinesiology
BIO415: Immunology
BIO106: Zoology
Program Faculty
Dr. Stephanie Hamersky
Interim Director of MAT
Email Address: hamersky@midlandu.edu
Phone Number: 402-941-6361
Dr. Chintamani S. Manish
Professor of Biology
Email Address: manish@midlandu.edu
Phone Number: 402-941-6305
Dr. Evangeline Rukundo, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Email Address: rukundo@midlandu.edu
Phone Number: 402-941-6322
Dr. Emmy Smith
Assistant Professor of Human Performance, Exercise Science, and Strength and Conditioning
Email Address: smithem@midlandu.edu
Phone Number: 402-941-6049
Key Experiences
Along their academic journey, students take part in what we call “Key Experiences.” These experiences will spark learning outside of the classroom and beyond the textbook. They get students learning first-hand about a profession, seeing the process from an up-close perspective, and thinking outside the box.
Internships, Collaborative Courses & Projects, ePortfolios
- Students will design and conduct an experiment during their Biology Capstone course. Students will prepare audio-visual presentations and create a poster to present at the Luther College of Arts and Sciences Research Fair.
- Students create a completely original organism (plant or animal) for a given set of environmental and habitat conditions that are assigned to them. Students are provided with a set of environmental conditions, location, and other pertinent information about a region. Based upon the information provided, they have to design an organism that will be perfectly adapted to that setting (they must describe the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the organism including its morphology, external characteristics, digestion, respiration, circulation, reproduction, behavioral response, and any other characteristics that are “unique” to their organism. Once the students design the organism they have to write a paper describing it along with art work. Finally, the students have to create a presentation that will be shared with the entire class.
Capstone Courses & Projects, First-Year Seminar or Experience, Collaborative Courses & Projects
- Students will be able to research emerging areas of interest relating to athlete monitoring (i.e. GPS, heart rate monitoring, wellness questionnaires, etc), rehabilitation modalities, performance measure to determine the changes across a season and/or athletic career.
- Students complete a variety of testing relating to cardiovascular fitness and rehabilitation, body composition and nutritional demands, strength, power, flexibility, and other related performance outcomes within our Warrior Performance Lab.
- Students will utilize technology to complete presentations and podcasts relating to exercise physiology, biomechanics/kinesiology, and reflect upon their internship experiences.
Popular Internship Sites
Career Outlook with an Advanced Degree
Chiropractic careers are more promising than ever before. A Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report states that employment of chiropractors is predicted to grow 10% between 2023 and 2033, much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.
According to the BLS, the demand is expected to increase for chiropractic services as a nonsurgical, drug-free way to treat pain and improve overall wellness. Rising interest in integrative or complementary healthcare has led to more acceptance of chiropractic treatment of the back, neck, limbs, and involved joints. As a result, chiropractors are increasingly working with other healthcare workers, such as physicians and physical therapists, through referrals and complementary care.
Some possible careers include:
Specializing in sports chiropractic allows practitioners to work directly with athletes to optimize performance, prevent injuries, and facilitate recovery. They may work with sports teams, athletic organizations, or individual athletes, providing musculoskeletal assessments, performance enhancement strategies, and rehabilitation services tailored to athletes’ needs.
Chiropractors can specialize in pain rehabilitation, addressing acute and chronic pain conditions through a holistic approach. They utilize chiropractic adjustments, manual therapies, therapeutic exercises, and lifestyle interventions to alleviate pain, improve function, and enhance quality of life for patients with musculoskeletal or neurological pain disorders.
Chiropractors with a passion for animals can specialize in veterinary chiropractic care, providing musculoskeletal assessments and adjustments for animals. They work closely with veterinarians to address mobility issues, musculoskeletal injuries, and performance limitations in animals, including horses, dogs, cats, and other domesticated species.
Chiropractors can focus on geriatric chiropractic care, serving the unique needs of older adults. They specialize in addressing age-related musculoskeletal issues, mobility limitations, and chronic pain conditions in elderly patients, promoting functional independence, mobility, and quality of life in the aging population.
Chiropractors can integrate chiropractic care with other holistic modalities to offer comprehensive health and wellness services. They may incorporate nutrition counseling, lifestyle coaching, acupuncture, massage therapy, and other complementary therapies to address patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Chiropractors can specialize in rehabilitation, focusing on restoring function and mobility in patients recovering from injuries, surgeries, or neurological conditions. They develop personalized rehabilitation programs, incorporating chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic exercises, and functional training to optimize recovery and enhance patients’ independence and quality of life.
Chiropractors can work as public health educators, promoting health and wellness within communities and addressing population health issues. They may collaborate with public health agencies, non-profit organizations, or community health initiatives to develop and implement health promotion programs, preventive strategies, and outreach efforts to improve public health outcomes.
Chiropractors with an interest in academia and research can pursue careers as clinical researchers, conducting studies to advance the understanding of chiropractic care, musculoskeletal health, and pain management. They may investigate the effectiveness of chiropractic interventions, contribute to evidence-based practice guidelines, and publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals to inform clinical practice and policy.
Next Steps
Request Info
Complete the Request Information Form and we will be in touch soon.
