¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ Requirements
As a future chiropractor, yourÌýopportunitiesÌýareÌýlimitless. Palmer College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.ÌýPalmer’sÌýdoctor of chiropracticÌýprogram is professionallyÌýaccredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education.ÌýÌý
While each prospective student is considered on an individual basis, we have prerequisites that all students must meet.Ìý
Our admissions counselors would like the opportunity to discuss your qualifications to helpÌýyouÌýmake an informed decision about attending Palmer College. Contact anÌý¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ Counselor orÌýapply today.
Requirement Details
Doctor of Chiropractic Program
- MinimumÌýof 90 credit hours*
- 3.0 GPA or greater on a 4.0 scale**
- 24 semester hoursÌýin life and physical sciences, half with labs
- OfficialÌýtranscript and favorable background check review
- AÌýwell-rounded general educationÌýincludes required coursework in life and physical sciences; humanities; social and behavioral sciences; and communications and languages. Coursework in each of these domains may include:Ìý
- Life sciences
- Biology (human anatomy, physiology, embryology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, cellular biology, exercise physiology, kinesiology)
- Chemistry (general chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology/pharmacology and nuclear medicine)Ìý
- Physical sciences:Ìýphysics, biomechanics, statisticsÌý
- Humanities: literature, history, philosophy, art, theater, music, religion, physical education
- Social and Behavioral Sciences:Ìýpsychology, sociology, political science, business, economics, geography, anthropology, computer science
- Communication and Languages:Ìýoral communication, written communication, digital communication, foreign languages
- Life sciences
- Ìý
Already have an undergraduate degree?
Palmer values aÌýdiverse, broadly educated student body,Ìýand that’sÌýwhy we consider applicants from all undergraduate majors. Some of these majors include:Ìý
- Health disciplines:Ìýpre-medicine and pre-dentistry, as well as exercise physiology, athletic training, kinesiology, physical therapy, biology, nursing, health science and chemistry.Ìý
- Other disciplines:Ìýpsychology, marketing, anthropology, management, communications, mathematics, sociology, business, criminal justice, history, liberal studies, engineering,ÌýeducationÌýand religion.ÌýÌý
- Still need scienceÌýprerequisites?ÌýOur main campus in Davenport, Iowa offers science prerequisite options. Contact your admissionsÌýcounselorÌýfor more details, and be sure toÌýexplore our D.C. Prep Fast Track program.Ìý
Working on your undergraduate degree now?
If you’re currently an undergraduate student and hope to join the Palmer family, we suggest course work that includes:Ìý
- 24 semester credits of science,Ìýwith half of the coursesÌýcontainingÌýa lab componentÌýÌý
We suggest labs in:Ìý
- Biology:Ìýhuman anatomy and physiology,Ìýgeneral biology,Ìýembryology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, cellular biology, exercise physiology and kinesiologyÌý
- Chemistry: general chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology/pharmacology,ÌýnutritionÌýand nuclear medicineÌý
- Physical sciences:Ìýphysics,ÌýbiomechanicsÌýand statisticsÌý
- Students lacking 24 semester science credits have an option to take prerequisites on the main campus in Davenport, Iowa. Contact your admissionsÌýcounselorÌýfor more details, andÌýbe sure to explore our D.C. Prep Fast Track program.Ìý
Save time and tuition. Check out ourÌýB.S. Completion ProgramÌýor ourÌý3+1 and 2+2 agreementsÌýand see how you can save one year of time and tuition.ÌýÌý
How admissions guidelines are determined
The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) sets the above admissions guidelines. The CCE is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education for theÌýaccreditation of programsÌýand institutions offering the Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Palmer also is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.ÌýÌý
Bachelor of Science in general science – Main Campus
At ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½, you can finish yourÌýBachelor’sÌýdegree while working toward your Doctor of Chiropractic degree.ÌýÌý
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in General Science completion degree complements the D.C. degree. Your B.S. degree coursework will help to build a solid foundation for your future as a chiropractor.ÌýÌý
¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ requirements:Ìý
- Must have an equivalent ofÌý45 college-level semester credits with a cumulative GPA ofÌý2.25 or higher on a 4.0 scaleÌý
- Must haveÌýapplied to the Doctor of Chiropractic ProgramÌýÌý
Degree completion requirements:Ìý
120 credit hours which includes:Ìý
- 90 credit hoursÌýof undergraduate courses from an institution or institutions accredited at the college level by an accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.Ìý
- 60 credit hoursÌýfreshman/sophomore levelÌý
- 30 credit hoursÌýjunior/senior levelÌý
- No gradeÌýbelow a “Câ€Ìý(2.0 on a 4.0 scale) will be acceptedÌýÌý
- 30 credit hoursÌýof basic science courses taken in the Palmer D.C. program are applied towards the bachelor’s degreeÌý
Up toÌý15 credit hoursÌýmay be granted from coursework in vocational/technical programs (transferable as freshman/sophomore level courses).ÌýÌý
Up toÌý20 credit hoursÌýof College Level Examination Program credit may be granted (transferable as freshman/sophomore level courses).Ìý
Credit hoursÌýat a glanceÌý
These are theÌýminimum hoursÌýyou must take by category:Ìý
- Natural and Physical Sciences (24 credit hours)Ìýsuch as: biology, chemistry, physics,Ìýanatomy and physiology,Ìýgeology, and nutrition.ÌýÌý
- Humanities (6 credit hours) such as: literature, history, philosophy, art, theater, music,ÌýreligionÌýand physical education.Ìý
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 credit hours)ÌýIncludes psychology, sociology, political science, business, economics, geography,ÌýanthropologyÌýand computer science.ÌýÌý
- Communication and Languages – 9 credit hours. Includes classical languages, foreign languages, English,ÌýcommunicationÌýand speech communication.ÌýÌý
- MathematicsÌý–Ìý3 credit hours. Includes algebra, physics, statistics, applied math and calculus.Ìý
Other types of courses will beÌýreviewed and consideredÌýfor credit by the Undergraduate Program Oversight Committee.ÌýÌý
To learn more please contact the Undergraduate Studies Program byÌýemailÌýor call 563-884-5867.Ìý
Technical Standards
The College seeks to prepare students to become competent, caring Doctors of Chiropractic who serve as primary care providers for the prevention, diagnosis and conservative management of health conditions. The academic, clinical, social and personal preparation for the practice of chiropractic requires both mental and physical abilities.
There are certain abilities and characteristics which are defined as Technical Standards. Those standards, in conjunction with academic standards, are requirements for admission, promotion and graduation. Although these standards serve to focus upon the necessary physical and mental abilities of all students, they are not intended to deter any student for whom reasonable accommodation will allow the fulfillment of the complete curriculum.
View all Technical Standards (PDF)
*Students applying to Palmer Florida must have earned a Bachelor’s degree before the anticipated start date.
**Applicants with less than 24 semester credits in life and physical sciences and/or a cumulative GPA less than 2.75 for degreed students and 3.0 for non-degreed students may be considered under an alternative-admissions track plan (AATP). This point of entry requires a more extensive review of the applicant’s enrollment factors by both academic and admissions personnel. Decisions for admission are made on a case-by-case basis.Ìý