Pre-Chiropractic Medicine

Chiropractic practice is based on the concept that the nervous system, the body's communication network, is central to health and is greatly affected by the relationships among the skeletal system, muscles, and nerves. The major therapeutic tool used by chiropractors, the adjustment by hand of the body's skeletal system and soft tissues, results in improvement in the function of the nervous system. Chiropractors are adept in the treatment of back pain and headaches. They emphasize preventative measures through nutritional counseling, stress management, and physical conditioning as crucial adjuncts to comprehensive patient care. They treat patients using drugless and noninvasive methods. 

Students must complete a minimum of 135 quarter hour credits including a specific set of prerequisite courses, before matriculating to a professional school such as University of Western States (UWS) in Portland, Oregon. Students admitted to a chiropractic college such as UWS earn the Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) after successful completion of the four year professional training program. The minimum 135 credit hours of prerequisite (preparatory) coursework can be taken at PSU and requires good science and mathematics skills and sensitivity to the needs of others. 

Some students choose to complete a bachelor’s degree at PSU (in any major) before moving on to the four year professional phase at a chiropractic college. However, others take advantage of an articulation agreement developed by PSU and UWS in 2004. This agreement says that students who complete a specific curriculum at PSU and are accepted into UWS can transfer back to PSU up to 45 credits of UWS coursework to fulfill requirements for either the BS in Science or the BS in Biology. For this option, students must complete one of the curriculums outlined in the UWS articulation section below. 

Portland State offers a pre-chiropractic medicine program whereby students complete their prerequisite coursework, earn a baccalaureate degree, and obtain assistance with the preparation and application process.  

Portland State University Pre-Chiropractic Medicine Course List 

Below is an outline of prerequisite courses for UWS which is subject to change. Check directly with UWS or other chiropractic schools for current requirements. 

UWS recommends a “pre-medical” foundation as the best preparation for the Doctor of Chiropractic curriculum. Such courses typically include a full year sequence of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and/or biochemistry, and physics with related labs. Courses should be designed for science majors. 

Courses must cover the following distribution areas (at least 1 course in each area): 

• Biological Sciences 
• General Chemistry 
• Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry 
• Physics, Statistics, Biomechanics, or Exercise Physiology 

Preferred sciences: general biology, anatomy, physiology, general or inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, biomechanics, exercise physiology, statistics. 

Below is an outline of courses that meet the distribution areas listed above. Students can choose any 36 credits as long as they meet minimum requirements listed (including at least 1 course from each category and the accompanying labs for at least 18 of the 36 credits). For other course options, work with your advisor. 

Additional Recommended Courses

UWS looks for social science and humanities coursework, but does not require that you have completed a certain number of credit hours. UWS considers the following departments to be social sciences and humanities (this list is not exhaustive of all possible departments): Anthropology, English, Economics, Foreign Language, Geography, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Communication, Women’s Studies, Writing.

PSU recommends that you complete at least four courses (16 credits) from the social sciences and humanities. Recommended courses (these are simply recommendations. Choose any social science or humanities courses): 

• WR 222 (4) – Writing Research Papers 
• WR 323 (4) – Writing as Critical Inquiry 
• COMM 215 (4) – Intro to Intercultural Communication 
• COMM 111Z (4) – Public Speaking 
• PSY 201Z (4) – Intro to Psychology I (formerly PSY 200 Psychology as a Natural Science) 
• PSY 202Z (4) – Psych as a Social Science (formerly PSY 204 Psychology as a Social Science) 
• PSY 311U (4) – Human Development 
• SOC 200 (4) – Introduction to Sociology 
• PHL 320U (4) – Critical Thinking 
• PHL 318U (4) – Philosophy of Medicine 

UWS Chiropractic Program Admission Requirements: uws.edu/doctor-of-chiropractic

• GPA Requirement: 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Students with a GPA below 3.00 but above 2.75 may be considered on a case-by-case basis. 
• Seven-year limitation: UWS prefers that pre-requisite coursework be completed within seven years of entry into the D.C. program. This is waived for applicants who have a bachelor's degree with at least a 3.00. If you have questions about whether your coursework is “too old,” contact the UWS admissions office. 
• New students are admitted every fall and winter. To ensure an admission decision prior to the desired start term, applicants are encouraged to submit their application, all application documents and supporting documents six months to a year before their intended start date. Fall classes begin in early October. Winter classes begin in early January. See the UWS website for deadlines and other specific information. 
• Official transcripts, current resume or curriculum vitae, two letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose are required. It is recommended that applicants use professional or academic references whom are most familiar with your former studies, academic interest, and work. Please see UWS website for specific application details. 

UWS Articulation Agreement for Bachelor’s Degree Completion 

In 2004, PSU and University of Western States (UWS) developed an articulation agreement whereby students who complete one of the programs listed below and are accepted into UWS can transfer back to PSU up to 45 credits of UWS coursework to fulfill requirements for either the BS in Science or the BS in Biology. The plans below are designed for freshmen starting from scratch at PSU. If you are a transfer student, your plan and the courses you need to take may be different. Check with a pre-chiropractic adviser regarding these options. Also note that you must have completed 45 credits in residence at PSU immediately before transferring to UWS in order to take advantage of this agreement. 

BS in Science Option: Required PSU Curriculum

BS in Biology Option: Required PSU Curriculum

*If you place into a higher level of math, you may take it instead. (You must take 4 credits of MTH or STAT for the PSU BS requirements.) Note:

^oIt is recommended that one or more of your cluster classes be offered by social science and/or arts/letters departments, as UWS likes to see social science and humanities (arts/letters) coursework. 

¹Cluster courses can be double dipped for two Race & Ethnic Studies (RESR) requirement for those utilizing the Fall 22 or later catalogs.  Please talk with an advisor for more information on selecting a course that counts toward both requirements if you are unsure.

^#May substitute with STAT 243Z or PHE 370 or PHE 473.