Pre-Chiropractic: How Do You Become a Chiropractor?

How Do You Become a Chiropractor?

Maybe you love the idea of helping people absolve pain and discomfort through means other than medication and invasive surgery. Maybe you’re passionate about preventative health care and encouraging people to think of their body as a holistic system rather than focusing on certain symptoms. And maybe you’ve heard that becoming a chiropractor is a well-paying field expected to grow rapidly through 2024. If you’ve done the soul searching and decided that becoming a doctor of chiropractic feels like a good fit for you, you’re in luck! Indiana University Kokomo offers a firm foundation for you to build on as you prepare for graduate school to become a chiropractor.

Let’s start off with some numbers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook for chiropractors looks pretty good. The average salary is $147,000 all while working an average of 34 hours a week. If you’re also dreaming of owning your own practice and becoming an entrepreneur, you’ll be happy to know that 60 percent of chiropractors are self-employed! A growing field full of opportunity and the ability to help people out in the process? Yes, please!

As a student who’s looking ahead to graduate school, it’s never too early to start planning. In fact, we’d argue that the more you know as an undergraduate, the better you’ll do in furthering your studies. Here’s a few helpful hints and things to keep in mind as you prepare:

  1. IU Kokomo provides an awesome foundation for your future studies. At IU Kokomo, we have the time and ability to really get to know you as a student. With small class sizes, we’re able to sit down with you – whether it’s during class, when you stop by our offices, or as we work side-by-side on research projects together. This equates to receiving mentoring from knowledgeable faculty, outstanding letters of recommendation for your graduate work, and close relationships with mentors and friends. You’ll get the well-rounded experience you need across all the disciplines and build an application that will stand out as you apply to chiropractic school. Not to mention, IU Kokomo has very reasonable tuition costs and your future self will thank you for cutting down on the costs of your undergrad.
  1. Your academic advisor will become your best friend. Here’s the thing about transferring to another campus to finish your degree: you have to stay on top of things. From the admission requirements for your future graduate program to ensuring you complete everything in a timely fashion here at IU Kokomo, your academic advisor will be the wealth of knowledge and sounding board you need. Our academic advisors are well-versed in all these details and requirements – and they’ve helped students just like you go on to chase their dreams. You’ll get to know your advisor and build a relationship with them as you meet with them semester after semester throughout your education here. 
  1. You can complete your undergrad and grad work in 6 years with IU Kokomo’s articulation agreement with Logan University. We know that it can be overwhelming trying to figure out where to go next to become a chiropractor. Fortunately for you, IU Kokomo has an articulation agreement with an excellent university called Logan University. Under the provisions of this program, a "3+3 Program" student will matriculate at IU Kokomo with a baccalaureate degree with a minimum of 99 semester hours in coursework and a minimum of 31.5 semester hours in coursework at Logan University. Check out the rest of the details below!

IU Kokomo and Logan University Articulation Agreement

Logan University

College of Chiropractic

College of Health Sciences

ARTICULATION AGREEMENT

  1. Under the provisions of this program, a "3+3 Program" student will matriculate at IU Kokomo with a baccalaureate degree with a minimum of 95-97 credit hours in course work at IU Kokomo and a minimum of 31 credit hours in coursework at Logan University. 
IU Kokomo Course Work (Pre-Chiropractic Program) Includes:
Coursework for General EducationCredits

Communication Skills and Information Literacy:

  • ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition I 3 cr
  • ENG-W 132 Elementary Composition II 3 cr
  • SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking 3 cr
9 cr
Cultural Diversity3 cr
Ethics and Civic Engagement3 cr

Social and Behavioral Sciences

  • Sociology & Psychology (Mandatory) 3 cr
  • Political Sciences, History and Economics 3 cr
6 cr

Humanities and Arts

  • Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts 3 cr
  • Literature and Philosophy 3 cr
6 cr

Mathematics and Informatics

  • MATH-M215 Calculus I  5 cr
  • MATH-K310 Statistical Techniques 3 cr
8 cr
Total35 cr
IU Kokomo Course Work (Pre-Chiropractic Program) Continued:
Coursework for Major CompetenciesCredits
BIOL-L 105 Introduction to Biology5 cr
BIOL-L 203 Evolution and Diversity of Life3 cr
ZOOL-Z 315 Developmental Anatomy5 cr
MICR-M 310/315 Microbiology/Lab5 cr
BIOL-L 367 Cell Physiology3 cr
BIOL-L 211/213 Intro to Molecular Biology/Lab5 cr
BIOL-L 364 Principles of Genetics3 cr
BIOL-L 403 Seminar3 cr
CHEM-C 105/125 General Chemistry I/Lab5 cr
CHEM-C 106/126 General Chemistry II/Lab5 cr
CHEM-C 341/343 Organic Chemistry I/Lab5 cr
CHEM_C 342/344 Organic Chemistry II/Lab5 cr
PHYS-P 201 or PHYS-P221 General Physics I5 cr
PHYS-P or PHYS-P 222 General Physics I5 cr
Total60-62 cr

Total Hours from IU Kokomo: 95-97 cr

Logan Course Work Includes:
CourseworkCredits
ANAT10102 Histology2 cr
ANAT10202/1L303 Anatomy II with lab3/1.5 cr
BCHM10201 Biochemistry I3.5 cr
MICR10201 Microbiology I3 cr
NEURO10201 Neuroanatomy3.5 cr
PSYO10101 Cell Biology2 cr
BCHM10302 Biochemistry II4 cr
ANAT10303/1L303 Anatomy III with Lab3/1.5 cr
PATH10301 Pathology I4 cr
Total31 cr

A minimum of 31 credit hours must be completed with a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.00 on a scale of 4.00.

For every subject required by Logan (either offered by IU Kokomo or Logan) no grade below a 2.00 on a 4.00 scale will be accepted for credit in this articulated program.  In addition, all "3+3 Program" students must have earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on a scale of 4.00 for the 95-97 credit hours at IU Kokomo.

  1. In Logan’s continued efforts to remain at the forefront of advanced, doctoral education, updates to courses may arise. Alternative courses may be considered for degree completion credit at the discretion of Indiana University Kokomo.
  2. Students are admitted to Logan only as first year Doctor of Chiropractic students. Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree at IU Kokomo.  In order to matriculate at IU Kokomo, an official transcript must be sent from Logan to a designated official within IU Kokomo, and the student must request and complete application materials for graduation.
  3. While enrolled at IU Kokomo students will complete all required coursework as outlined above and described in the IU Kokomo catalog.

Looking for a way to meet new people with similar interests? Check out the School of Sciences Pre-Professional Club!

Sound like a plan?

If IU Kokomo sounds like the right fit for you and your future goals, we would love to hear from you! You can reach out to the School of Sciences to chat more about this path. If you're ready to hop right in and apply, don’t wait. You can apply now. We can't wait to meet you!

Ready to begin your journey?