New entrants into the occupation may find the best opportunities in smaller communities or where there are fewer competitors. Self-employed Chiropractors can set their own hours. The educational standards for chiropractic colleges require that all students seeking admission furnish proof that they have completed a minimum of two years of undergraduate education. A few states require a four-year bachelor's degree. Pre-professional course requirements include English or communications, psychology, social sciences or humanities, biological science, general or inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics.
Most colleges have additional requirements.
A minimum of four academic years of study at an accredited chiropractic college, including practice in a teaching clinic, is required for the Doctor of Chiropractic degree. The curriculum that must be completed should not be less than 4,400 hours. Courses must be presented in the proper sequence to provide sufficient depth to adequately prepare the student for professional practice. Courses offered in chiropractic colleges include human anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, pathology, public health, clinical and laboratory diagnosis, gynecology, obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics, dermatology, psychology, dietetics, orthopedics, physical therapy, first aid, spinal analysis, principles and practice of chiropractic, adjustive technique, and other appropriate subjects. Clinical practice is the major feature in the educational preparation of the chiropractic physician.