How Well Educated is Your Chiropractor?

 

Have you ever wondered how much education your Doctor of Chiropractic is required to have compared to a medical doctor? You should. Look at these basic educational requirements for graduates of both chiropractic college and medical schools. Each has its own specialties, but the hours of classroom instruction are about the same.

Doctors of Chiropractic must satisfy a demanding academic course that leads to a first professional degree requiring six academic years of study - two years preparatory and four years professional.

Chiropractors are required to pass stringent national board examinations as a prerequisite for licensure inmost states. And, in most states, the Doctor of Chiropractic must stay abreast of the latest health care techniques by attending seminars and other special study programs.

 

Basic Science Comparisons: Chiropractic Hours (minimum) * Subject Medical Hours (minimum) *   456 Anatomy/ Embryology 215 243 Physiology 174 296 Pathology ** 507 161 Chemistry 100 145 Microbiology 145 408 Diagnosis *** 113 149 Neurology 171 271 X-Ray 13 56 Psychology/ Psychiatry 323 66 Obstetrics & Gynecology 284 168 Orthopedics 2 2,419 TOTAL HOURS 2,047   The class hours for basic science comparisons were compiled and averaged following a review or curricula of 18 chiropractic colleges and 22 medical schools, based on the 1988-89 Association of American Medical Colleges Curriculum Directory (AAMC), Vickie Ahari, Editor, and the Chiropractic College of Admissions and Curriculum Directory 1988-89, K. Magarian and K. McNamee , editors.   ** Pathology includes Geriatrics and Pediatrics *** Includes EENT and Dermatology