Are you looking to become a doctor, but do not know where to start? If you are planning to attend a chiropractic school in Michigan and wish to join the thousands of students who are studying right here in The Wolverine State, then you need to read this article.

Enjoying working with people to help them achieve the best health possible is an important foundation for those interested in becoming a chiropractor in the state of Michigan.

Collegelearners will provide you with all the relevant information you are looking for on best chiropractic schools, how long is chiropractic school, chiropractor salary, and so much more.

Best chiropractic schools in michigan

Currently there are 16 chiropractic programs in the United States that have been accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). Applicants are expected to have at least 90 semester hours of undergraduate study leading toward a bachelor’s degree; while many already come into the accreditation program with a bachelor’s degree. Several chiropractic colleges offer pre-chiropractic study, as well as a bachelor’s degree program. Most chiropractic programs in Michigan require a minimum of 4,200 hours of combined classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience. Graduates receive the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.).

In Michigan, the State Chiropractic Licensing Board and the CCE oversee the regulation and licensing of chiropractors that meet the recognized educational and examination requirements. In addition, Michigan residents will be asked to provide the following before establishing or joining a practice:

  • Record of graduation from a chiropractic degree program
  • A passing score on the National Board Exam
  • Undergo a criminal background check
  • Pass an exam regarding Michigan’s state scope of practice laws
  • Personal character references

how to become a chiropractor in michigan

To become a chiropractor in Michigan in the United States, a student must have graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chiropractic. After graduating, they must enrol in a four-year post-graduate program to complete their Doctorate in Chiropractic from any eligible colleges or universities in the United States. They also have to work to gain clinical experience while being supervised by some professionals. Once they are done with their academic qualifications, they have to give entrance examinations to gain their license to work as a Chiropractor in the United States. A license is compulsory to work. The students need to give the NBCE exam, which has four parts. Students need to pass all the parts of the NBCE examination. Apart from academics, most of the states in the United States require a background check examination. The average annual salary is $70,720 as of May 2020, with a range of $35,000 – $138,000 per annum.

chiropractic school requirements

Chiropractic Education and Training

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 โ€“ 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.Play Video

Job Outlook for Chiropractors

As of May 2018, the median annual salary among chiropractors was $71,410, according to the BLS.

Employment in this field will most likely be 7% higher in 2028 than it was in 2018, the bureau predicts, noting that this projected job growth rate is above the 5% average for all occupations.

best chiropractic schools

Chiropractic care is an alternate treatment related to the musculoskeletal system, which involves a manual and natural method of pressing down joints and muscles to relieve pain. The word chiropractic came from the Greek words โ€œcheirโ€ and โ€œpraxis,โ€ which means to treat using hands. It was a practice pioneered by Daniel Palmer way back in 1895, creating the first-ever chiropractic school โ€“ now called Palmer College of Chiropractic.

This method makes use of manual adjustment or manipulation of the spine and joints to relieve pain in the muscles, bones, and joints. Chiropractors first conduct a physical exam and medical history on a patient to check if chiropractic care is suitable for his or her situation. Once decided, chiropractors proceed with treatment according to the plan, wherein chiropractic care may be done combined with other conventional medical regimens like health counseling and exercise. The end goal of the treatment is to restore functioning and prevent further injury. Though unconventional, chiropractic care is generally viewed as safe and helpful for low back pain, neck pain, headaches, and others. However, the suitability of chiropractic care may vary from person to person; it is recommended to consult with oneโ€™s physician as needed.

But why should you be a chiropractor? Chiropractic is the most dominant profession to provide natural healthcare and alternate medicine. They do not make use of chemicals or surgeries to treat their patients. They are anchored on the bodyโ€™s self-healing ability, providing years of experience in restoring the spine, nervous system, and musculoskeletal system to its prime health through purely natural means. To practice as a chiropractor, one should complete an undergraduate degree followed by about four years of chiropractic school.

If you are passionate about enabling natural wellness and making a difference to help people, as a chiropractor, start your career with one of these top chiropractic schools in the world:

Top Chiropractic Schools in the World

1. Sherman Chiropractic College

  • Degrees Offered: DC

Sherman College, located in South Carolina, is one of the top chiropractic schools in the world with its focused training and affordable fees. Their classes are small enough, 25 students on average, to receive hands-on and personalized guidance and education from their faculty. As for their fees, the school is considered one of the most affordable with 98% of their student population receiving financial aid such as loans, scholarships, or discounts. The tuition is $8,825 quarterly (14 quarters in total) or $35,300 annually (3.5 years). The entire chiropractic program can be completed in three and a half years with about 35 class hours every week.

2. Life University

  • Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, DC

Life University houses one of the largest Doctor of Chiropractic programs globally, which comprises an engaging curriculum usually finished in 14 quarters or 4 years. Students will learn the basics of the practice including its foundations and techniques, then proceed with the clinical application on quarter 8. Some of the chiropractic strategies taught are Upper Cervical Recoil, Full Spine, Gonstead, and Thompson techniques. Students will gain access to testing, assessment, and diagnostic centers for better learning. Lastly, Life University has one of the lowest tuition fees as well with a $ 29, 625 projected cost per year for the Chiropractic program.

3. Logan University

  • Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Masterโ€™s, DC

Logan University is a leading institution for chiropractic globally that introduces clinical opportunities to chiropractic students as early as their first year, wherein the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) curriculum designates as much as 40% of year 1 to clinical skills training. The school also opens an opportunity to fast-track the DC degree for undergrads. Taking their online Bachelor of Science in Life Science program allows some overlapping transition with the DC program, enabling students to complete both their BS and DC degrees in Logan for just 6 years.

Additionally, the school offers Masterโ€™s degree programs that can be combined with the DC program such as Nutrition and Human Performance, Health Professions Education, and Sports Science and Rehabilitation.

4. Parkers

  • Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Masterโ€™s, DC

The University of Western States is considered the second-oldest top chiropractic school in the world. The curriculumโ€™s length is rather shorter than other programs with a completion period of only 12 quarters, which applies an evidence-based and whole-person approach.

Studentsโ€™ schedules are flexible as well through the schoolโ€™s dual degree opportunities. DC students could apply to the Bachelorโ€™s in Human Biology program and receive the undergrad degree without attending additional classes, as long as the stipulated requirements are met. Masterโ€™s degrees in Sports Medicine, Sport and Performance Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine are also available and can be completed at the same time as their DC Program to enhance their competency in the particular specialization.

5. University of Bridgeport

  • Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Masterโ€™s, DC

The University of Bridgeport is another excellent school at the forefront of chiropractic education in the world. It has been offering its accredited Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) Program since 1991 to give students valuable resources and experiences to be healthcare providers. The program is designed to be completed in 8 semesters or about 4 years. On the other hand, the school offers some Bachelorโ€™s degree programs, like Biology and Health Sciences, which is a preliminary requirement to pursue chiropractic studies. To further their expertise, DC students also have the opportunity to simultaneously obtain a Masterโ€™s degree in Nutrition or Acupuncture.

6. Parker University

  • Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Masterโ€™s, DC

Parker Universityโ€™s Doctor of Chiropractic Program is one of the best chiropractic schools across the globe that is designed with a 10-trimester holistic curriculum, focusing on clinical exposure, research, and business training. Chiropractic students get exposure at the Veterans Affairs Hospitals or any of the schoolโ€™s private practice partnerships. Some of the techniques they apply are Diversified, Gonstead, Thompson, and Activator. Aside from learning how to conduct clinical techniques, they also learn about business planning and how to set up their private practice.

Several undergrad and postgrad courses are also being offered by Parker University under Health Sciences, which chiropractic students can pursue before or after their DC program.

7. Palmer College of Chiropractic

  • Degrees Offered: DC

Palmer College is the very first and a leading chiropractic school in the world, as mentioned earlier, which makes it one of the most renowned schools in the field. Their curriculum is accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education, designed to combine theory and practice with the basic sciences, chiropractic techniques, and foundations. The length of study for this program is 10 trimesters on the Main campus and 13 quarters on the West and Florida campuses. On average, chiropractic students would need to spend $34,600 a year for tuition costs.

Though an undergrad degree is not officially required, it is encouraged for students to have one before entering the DC program as this could be essential for licensures. There are also preliminary basic sciences credits needed to enter the DC program, which can be completed through the schoolโ€™s online DC Prep Fast-Track program.

chiropractor salary

StateAnnual SalaryMonthly PayWeekly PayHourly Wage
Hawaii$83,210$6,934$1,600$40.01
Massachusetts$82,262$6,855$1,581$39.55
Nevada$81,695$6,807$1,571$39.28
Rhode Island$80,711$6,725$1,552$38.80
Oregon$79,513$6,626$1,529$38.23
Alaska$79,052$6,587$1,520$38.01
North Dakota$78,405$6,533$1,507$37.69
Washington$76,884$6,407$1,478$36.96
New York$74,976$6,248$1,441$36.05
South Dakota$74,547$6,212$1,433$35.84
Maryland$73,476$6,123$1,413$35.33
Virginia$72,038$6,003$1,385$34.63
New Hampshire$70,722$5,893$1,360$34.00
Nebraska$70,333$5,861$1,352$33.81
Colorado$70,293$5,857$1,351$33.79
California$70,142$5,845$1,348$33.72
Delaware$69,983$5,831$1,345$33.65
Idaho$69,533$5,794$1,337$33.43
South Carolina$69,186$5,765$1,330$33.26
Vermont$68,834$5,736$1,323$33.09
Arkansas$68,583$5,715$1,318$32.97
New Jersey$67,952$5,662$1,306$32.67
Connecticut$66,804$5,567$1,284$32.12
Kentucky$66,770$5,564$1,284$32.10
Tennessee$66,602$5,550$1,280$32.02
Oklahoma$66,422$5,535$1,277$31.93
Michigan$66,371$5,530$1,276$31.91
Arizona$66,004$5,500$1,269$31.73
Maine$65,639$5,469$1,262$31.56
Wyoming$65,590$5,465$1,261$31.53
Minnesota$65,277$5,439$1,255$31.38
Illinois$64,763$5,396$1,245$31.14
Montana$64,640$5,386$1,243$31.08
Indiana$63,995$5,332$1,230$30.77
Missouri$63,819$5,318$1,227$30.68
West Virginia$63,019$5,251$1,211$30.30
Pennsylvania$61,861$5,155$1,189$29.74
Texas$61,677$5,139$1,186$29.65
Wisconsin$61,639$5,136$1,185$29.63
Ohio$61,499$5,124$1,182$29.57
Iowa$60,905$5,075$1,171$29.28
Utah$60,611$5,050$1,165$29.14
Kansas$59,017$4,918$1,134$28.37
New Mexico$58,773$4,897$1,130$28.26
Alabama$58,418$4,868$1,123$28.09
North Carolina$58,316$4,859$1,121$28.04
Mississippi$57,521$4,793$1,106$27.65
Florida$56,621$4,718$1,088$27.22
Georgia$52,790$4,399$1,015$25.38
Louisiana$52,263$4,355$1,005$25.13

Top 50 Highest Paying States for Chiropractor Jobs in the U.S.

Weโ€™ve identified ten states where the typical salary for a Chiropractor job is above the national average. Topping the list is Hawaii, with Massachusetts and Nevada close behind in second and third. Nevada beats the national average by 10.9%, and Hawaii furthers that trend with another $9,537 (12.9%) above the $73,673.

With these ten states paying on average above the national average, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as a Chiropractor appears to be exceedingly fruitful.

About Our Data

ZipRecruiter salary estimates, histograms, trends and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third party data sources.


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