Chiropractors receive an education that emphasizes neuromuscular diagnosis and treatment. Preparation for the practice of chiropractic is concentrated on three areas of learning; basic training in the biological and health sciences (anatomy, physiology, histology, biochemistry, clinical and radiological diagnosis); specialized training in the chiropractic discipline (theoretical studies, practice, diagnosis and applications); and extensive clinical training.
The Council on Chiropractic Education requires that students have a minimum of 90 hours of undergraduate courses (pre-medical curriculum) with science as the focus prior to admission to a chiropractic college.  An additional four to five academic years at a nationally accredited chiropractic college is required to receive the degree D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic).  The complete chiropractic curriculum includes a minimum of 4,600 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience.  Approximately 555 of those hours are devoted to the study of manipulative and adjustive techniques and methods as well as chiropractic spinal analysis.