Chiropractic schools in Florida are unique. While it’s a state requirement to have a bachelor’s degree before beginning chiropractic school, it is not necessarily a requirement to have a background in science or medicine. This means that this is one of the few doctoral degrees in which students from varied backgrounds can learn techniques placing them in the medical field as a doctor.

Most people will work in a solo office or a group chiropractic office, but the majority of chiropractors are self-employed. The program is relatively short, taking around four years to complete unless the program is designed to be completed quickly.

As of May 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that chiropractors in America earned a median wage of $70,340. The highest 10% of chiropractors earned $147,480 or more, while the lowest 10% earned under $35,290. Earnings generally range based on the number of years a person has been practicing, the client base, the number of partners in a practice, and other factors. Self-employed chiropractors set their own hours, while others work full time in a clinical setting.

The field is expected to grow by 4% between 2019 and 2029, which is average among all careers.

Choosing Chiropractic Schools In Florida

There are three main chiropractic schools in Florida. These three schools offer different options for the doctor of chiropractic medicine, but they all require intensive training. While entry requirements may vary, it’s a good idea to find a school that does have high acceptance rates, high exam pass rates, and excellent training modules.

When selecting a chiropractic school in Florida, remember to find a program that is accredited. You may also want to attend a program with online, hybrid, or in-person courses, depending on how you learn best.

The following short list includes the top three chiropractic schools that are based in Florida. Read about these schools to get a better idea of what to expect. If you still need help finding a school for chiropractic training, we will be happy to help you find one based on your search inquiry.

Best Chiropractic Schools In Florida

National University of Health Sciences

• Lombard, Illinois

The National University of Health Sciences offers a Doctor of Chiropractic that prepares students to work as primary, first-contact physicians. The school is the only one that does require students to have a BA before admission.

The school’s curriculum provides training in diagnostic imaging, clinical laboratory data analysis, patient history evaluation, how to perform a physical exam, and other important information.

The program has an integrative teaching style, which means that students work with professionals across multiple specialties to get the best possible training. Many of the students will have experience with naturopathic, chiropractic, and allopathic treatment modalities.

Students are expected to learn to perform over 100 manipulations. Students learn the flexion-distraction technique.

To get the Doctor of Chiropractic Licensure, students will need to take an exam through the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Students currently take each exam section, I, II, III, and IV throughout their programs, so they are best prepared upon graduation.

SCHOOL OVERVIEW

Tuition (in-state): $23,766Enrollment: 590

Palmer College of Chiropractic

• Port Orange, Florida

Palmer College of Chiropractic offers training to become a chiropractor at an affordable price. Students are not required to have an undergraduate degree for admission outside the state of Florida, but they are required to have it in Florida. Applicants who have a bachelor’s degree take priority, so it’s a good idea to get one before applying.

A specific major is not required, so if you have a degree in the arts, music, business, or other areas, you can still apply to the Palmer College of Chiropractic.

Palmer has three different campuses. Each one does feature the different phases of the curriculum from the basic sciences to clinical sciences and outpatient clinical training. Students learn through lecture and lab-based courses. Class sizes range between 100 and 200 students with a student-faculty ratio of around 15 to 1.

Keep in mind that the program is intensive at the graduate level. Students will work with academic counseling, tutoring, and study groups.

Palmer is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Chiropractic Education and the Higher Learning Commission.

SCHOOL OVERVIEW

Tuition (in-state): $10,440Enrollmen

Keiser University

• Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Keiser University offers a Doctor of Chiropractic through graduate school in West Palm Beach. The program is completed over the course of 40 months and combined small group learning, lectures, laboratory sessions, clinical training, and other opportunities into the courses. The ten semesters of study focus on providing students with the information and training needed to have a conservative, clinical approach to spinal care.

The program consists of 216 credit hours in total, with 25% of the hours being spent in clinical settings. Crosscutting themes are used during the courses, so that major areas of relevance are learned. Students work at the Keiser University Spine Care Clinic, so they get hands-on training.

SCHOOL OVERVIEW

Tuition (in-state): $27,162Enrollment: 19,567

chiropractic school requirements

A practicing chiropractor in the U.S. must have a Doctor of Chiropractic, or D.C., degree and needs a license to practice in any state where he or she sees patients. A D.C. program typically lasts four years, and to qualify for admission students must complete at least three years of undergraduate education with at least 90 semester hours – and in some cases a bachelor’s degree, depending on the school where they apply.

According to an overview of the academic admissions requirements for various U.S. chiropractic schools on the Association of Chiropractic Colleges website, prospective students need to complete a minimum of 24 semester hours of life and physical science coursework, and at least half of their science classes must have included a substantive lab.

Aspiring chiropractors also should take humanities and social science courses, and they must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, the association states.

In some cases, individuals who complete chiropractic school continue their education via postdoctoral training programs such as residencies or fellowships. They can seek a variety of chiropractic specialty and subspecialty certificates and may pursue advanced training in a variety of chiropractic specialties ranging from radiology and rehabilitation to neurology and nutrition.[ 

Chiropractic careers require more education than massage therapist jobs, which typically require completion of a massage therapy program of 500 hours or longer, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Aspiring massage therapists only need a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify for admission to a massage therapy program.

Generally speaking, massage therapists focus on soft tissues and muscles, whereas chiropractors frequently make adjustments to the spine, which requires extreme precision.

national university of health sciences florida

National University prepares students to become first-contact, primary care physicians fully qualified to diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of conditions. We believe a superior education starts with an evidence-based, broad-scope curriculum emphasizing integrative medicine.

What is Chiropractic Medicine?

Chiropractic medicine is a comprehensive health care profession that addresses the wide variety of factors that impact upon human physiology. Chiropractic physicians specialize in natural, non-invasive health care and are trained to use a full range of medical diagnostic tools and a wide array of effective treatment options in patient care.

Philosophy of Chiropractic Medicine

At National University, students are broadly educated and extensively trained in evidence based medicine to provide whole health healing to patients. During the course of study at National University, students study in an integrative learning environment alongside other natural health care focused professions. Students are well prepared to become first-contact, primary care physicians, ready to diagnose, treat and manage a wide range of patients and conditions. New graduates are also qualified to begin post-graduate education for several clinical specialties.

Chiropractic Medicine Treatments

Treatment modalities can include performing manipulation, functional and nutritional medicine, and lifestyle counseling, physical rehabilitation therapy and providing supplements including vitamins and natural botanical medicines. National University graduates are extensively trained as thorough diagnosticians to identify the appropriate treatment for their patients.

Chiropractic Careers

Chiropractic Licensure

Licensure of chiropractic medicine has different rules and procedures depending which state, country, or international region you wish to practice. To practice as a chiropractic physician in the U.S., students must pass the national board examinations conducted by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE). They must also apply for licensure in the state in which they plan to practice. Students are responsible for familiarity with the state’s scope of practice and licensing and renewal requirements.

To practice in Canada, students must pass the national board examination conducted by the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB). Individuals interested in practicing in Canada should also inquire within their specific province or territory of interest for licensure requirements. Physicians wishing to practice in other international countries or regions may be required to pass the International Board of Chiropractic Examiners (IBCE) examination or other requirements specific to a location. Students are urged to visit the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB) for more information.

The professional organizations representing chiropractic physicians include the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC).

Choosing Between a Career in Chiropractic Medicine or Physical Therapy?

Chiropractic physicians enjoy a number of career advantages compared to physical therapists or certified athletic trainers. Learn more about these advantages and hear from NUHS graduate Dr. Randy Cybulski on why a DC degree could be a better choice for your long-term goals.

Chiropractic Sports Medicine

If you seek a career emphasis in chiropractic sports medicine, NUHS is an excellent choice. Learn more about sports medicine at NUHS.

Our Curriculum

You can earn your Doctor of Chiropractic degree in as little as ten trimesters at our Illinois campus or our Florida site. Students attend school year round and may complete the program in three years and four months.https://www.youtube.com/embed/-kvagjfxMZA

National University’s distinctive and innovative curriculum provides you with a comprehensive base in human biology and anatomy, and extensive hands-on training in diagnosis and treatment. We train you to think like a physician. Throughout the program, you will learn how to master a variety of chiropractic adjustments through our diversified technique curriculum, which also includes flexion-distraction technique. The chiropractic program is a three-phase program.

Phase I: Basic Sciences

• Spend one full year of anatomy and physiology in our anatomy lab where you’ll perform complete human dissection rather than learning by prosection or virtual instruction.

Phase II: Clinical Sciences

• Learn how to diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of ailments.
• Practice evaluation and diagnostic techniques with “standardized patients.”
• Gain valuable business knowledge on how to ethically promote and market your practice.

Phase III: Clinical Practice

• Experience your internship through one of a variety of clinical opportunities.
• Expand your medical and leadership skills by participating in community outreach events.

Broad-Scope, Patient-Centered Care

We prepare our students to evaluate and address the full range of factors affecting human health. You’ll learn to diagnose and treat each of your patients based on a thorough evaluation of their unique health history and profile. You won’t base your care on just one symptom, one part or region of the body, or one type of treatment. Instead, you’ll learn to think in terms of “whole health healing.” You’ll draw from a wide range of healing modalities and work together with experts from other medical fields whenever it will benefit your patient.

Research

Our commitment to research is demonstrated by our journals, our extensive current research, and the number of student research opportunities available. You’ll find evidence-based practice is an important part of each phase in our curriculum.

Nate Porcher (DC ’13)
As a student, Nate wrote a research article on sports-related concussions that was later published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine after he graduated. He had originally given a presentation on the research at the 2012 Chiropractic Sports Symposium.

Featured Chiropractic Alumni

Dr. Brian Hutcheson (DC ’13)
Dr. Brian Hutcheson is the first DC hired by Hope Health, a regional medical center with nine facilities and a patient base of 32,000. He will help develop their integrative medicine section, and serve on the center’s integrative boards for diabetic patients and pain management. He says: “National is the only school that could have prepared me for this opportunity.” 

Accreditation

National University of Health Sciences’ chiropractic degree program in Lombard, Illinois, has been accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) since 1971, and by its predecessor, the American Chiropractic Association Committee on Accreditation since 1966. The chiropractic degree program in St. Petersburg, Florida has been accredited since 2009.