Chiropractors work on musculoskeletal systems.
Becoming a chiropractor requires several years of schooling that may be included in the last two years of a four-year college or two to four years of additional study if the student already has a baccalaureate degree. Prospective chiropractors be warned: if you do not like science, this occupation may not be for you. Chiropractic programs are studded with science courses in addition to health classes.
Basic Education Requirements
The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, offers a good overview of the chiropractic profession. Chiropractors work on the body's musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine. The handbook notes that chiropractic students must put in a minimum 4,200 hours in the classroom, laboratories and with patients to earn their Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree. Classroom and lab work is emphasized in the first two years, while students move on to hands-on experience and diagnosing ailments in the final years.
Science Courses Requirements
Before being admitted to a chiropractic program at one of the nation's 15 accredited programs, students must meet minimum requirements for science courses. Prerequisite courses for admission to the chiropractic program at University of Western States in Portland, Oregon, include biology; chemistry (including inorganic chemistry and organic biochemistry); physics; and biomechanics.
The university also requires students to take courses in sociology, English composition and psychology, with electives in such areas as sociology, literature or history.
Chiropractic Courses
Once admitted to a chiropractic program, students will take courses in anatomy, pathology, physiology, spinal manipulation, diagnosis of neuomusculoskeletal conditions, dermatology and soft tissue at University of Western States, which offers a typical course accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education. At Life University in Marietta, Georgia, they will also be taking courses in nutrition, public health, bacteriology, subluxation and radiology report writing. Because so many chiropractors are in private practice, Life University requires its students to take 25 credits of business management courses.
Job Outlook and Salary
The outlook for chiropractors is good, with demand for their services expected to increase by 20 percent from 2008 through 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is because alternative health care is gaining in popularity in the United States.
Chiropractors earn a decent income, too. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for chiropractors was $32.53 or $67,650 annually as of May 2009. The bottom 10 percent of chiropractors earned $15.74 per hour while the top 10 percent earned an average of $72.39 per hour. Chiropractors in Tennessee were the highest paid, having a mean annual salary of $112.060.
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