Overview

Chiropractors, or we can say Doctors of Chiropractic, are mainly concerned with the proper function of the nervous system which is related to the body as a whole. This kind of approach towards health care stresses the patient’s complete health and well-being.

Mainly Chiropractors use non-surgical health treatments that are natural, like: ultrasound, heat, massage, diet, light, exercise, water and rest. Chiropractors are uniquely known for Postural and spinal analysis, involving correct alignment of the vertebrae. Chiropractors are not allowed to prescribe drugs or do surgery to treat their patients. Chiropractors can take diagnostic x-rays as a part of their treatment methods, but in Texas the law prohibits their use of x-ray or radium therapy.

If you want to become a licensed Chiropractor in Texas, then being an applicant you are required to graduate from a college that is accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). The educational requirements are a minimum of 2 years of college-level study in an accredited institution of higher learning and graduation from a 4-year college of chiropractic that meets the standards of professional education.

Before getting graduate, a chiropractic student must also complete a program in clinical experience. After acceptable completion of the chiropractic college program, the degree of D.C. is awarded.

Once you have gained the professional degree, the doctor of chiropractic should now become licensed by the state in which he/she is planning to practice. In Texas, the Chiropractors are licensed by the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners (TBCE).

To receive a license the Chiropractor should pass an exam which is divided into three parts which is administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners and a State exam which is administered by the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners (TBCE), and also, there are Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements to maintain licensure.

As per Texas Workforce Commission, the average salary for Chiropractors in Texas (2011 data) is $67,600.

Basic Prerequisites

Biological Sciences:

6 semester hours (9 quarter hours). General biology, anatomy and physiology are preferred. The biological sciences requirements include pertinent laboratory experiences which cover the range of material presented in the didactic portions of the course(s). Suggestions:

General Biology I & II
Anatomy and Physiology I & II
General zoology
General botany
Microbiology.

General Inorganic Chemistry:

6 semester hours (9 quarter hours). Courses are to be acceptable for pre-professional majors. The General Inorganic Chemistry requirements include pertinent laboratory experiences which cover the range of material presented in the didactic portions of the course(s).

Organic Chemistry:

6 semester hours (9 quarter hours). Courses are to be for pre-professional majors. The Organic Chemistry requirements include pertinent laboratory experiences which cover the range of material presented in the didactic portions of the course(s).

General Physics and Related Studies:

6 semester hours (9 quarter hours) also including laboratory in sequence. The courses might be algebra-trigonometry-based or can also be at a pre-professional level. The physics requirement can be met with either one or more than one physics courses with the duplicate content (of which one must include a pertinent related laboratory that covers the range of material presented in the didactic portions of the course(s)), or 3 semester hours in physics (with laboratory) and 3 semester hours in

Biomechanics
Kinesiology
Statistics or
Exercise physiology

English/Communications Skills:

6 semester hours (9 quarter hours) English composition, speech, or English literature.

Psychology:

3 semester hours (5 quarter hours).

Social Sciences or Humanities Electives:

Fifteen semester hours (twenty three quarter hours). Electives should include such courses as:

History
Government
English literature
foreign language
Sociology
Psychology
Drama
Philosophy

A course in public speaking is also highly recommended.

Note: In addition to the above social sciences and humanities electives, coursework in computer skills, statistics, business management and marketing are recommended.

Texas Chiropractic Schools

Parker College of Chiropractic (Dallas, Texas)
Texas Chiropractic College (Pasadena, Texas)

Texas has 2 chiropractic schools. Here is a table which lists the names, locations and Web sites for the Texas chiropractic schools.

Name	Location	Web site
Parker College of Chiropractic	Dallas	http://www.parker.edu/
Texas Chiropractic College	Pasadena	http://www.txchiro.edu/

Requirements For Admission For Doctor Of Chiropractic Degree Program

If you as a student want to enter Texas Chiropractic College you are required to have completed a minimum of ninety semester hours (one twenty quarter hours) at an institution(s) accredited by an agency which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or by an equivalent foreign agency with a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale of those ninety hours. The ninety hours should include a minimum twenty four hours of life and physical sciences courses, of which half of the courses should have a substantive laboratory component.

Alternative Admission Track Plan

If there are students who do not meet the above science requirements can be eligible for the admission through an Alternative Admission Track Plan. Students can not be admitted to Texas Chiropractic College with less than ninety semester hours/less than a 2.75 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for those ninety hours.

Students can contact the Chiropractic licensing board(s) in the state(s) where they are planning to practice in order to check for any pre-chiropractic college licensure requirements, like a Bachelor’s degree, that exceed the above requirements.

Requirements for Admission for Doctor of Chiropractic Degree Program

You will have to complete the application for admission and also submit the non-refundable fee of $50.
You will have to Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions.
A two-three page personal essay on why you have chosen a Chiropractic career and TCC specifically.
You will have to complete a minimum of ninety semester credit hours with a 3.0 GPA or may be higher
You must have at least twenty four hours of life/physical sciences (you can have a look at suggested courses below) within the ninety minimum credit hours,
Half of the life/physical sciences should have corresponding laboratory work
You must have a well-rounded education in the social sciences and humanities
If you are under the age of twenty two you must submit Meningitis immunization records or a Waiver of Conscience (as per Texas State Law)

Suggested Life and Physical Sciences:

General Biology
Anatomy
Physiology
Zoology
General or Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Biochemistry
Physics
Biomechanics
Exercise Physiology.

The Course work in Kinesiology and Exercises Science can be considered upon evaluation of a course description. Out of the twenty four hours of life and physical sciences, half should have a substantive laboratory component.

Through Institutional Proficiency Examinations, acandidate’s pre-professional education can be acquired like:

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Institutional departmental examinations

Credits earned in this way might not be applied to any of the science prerequisites in biology, chemistry or physics. Maximum twenty credit hours are allowed.

International Applicants

Being an International prospective student you have additional admission requirements to complete their admission application.

You need to have transcripts of the course work completed at International colleges/universities, submitted through the U.S. Department of Education approved evaluation service.
- TCC SpanTran Application
You will also be required to show evidence of financial resources sufficient to complete at least 1 full year at Texas Chiropractic College.
You need to show evidence of English proficiency in reading and as well as writing. The tests recommended are: Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
- One needs to have a minimum score of 79 on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) which is Internet Based. TOFEL Paper Based or Computer Based will not be accepted . Minimum scores should be in specific sections: Reading, 21; Writing, 18; Speaking, 19; Listening, 21.
- On the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), a minimum score should be 8.