Human Biology for Chiropractic Students, BS

The Bachelor of Science in Human Biology (BS) is a degree completion program. The BS in Human Biology degree completion program is designed to allow eligible students to complete the course requirements for a BS in Human Biology while earning their Doctor of Chiropractic. Chiropractic students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree are encouraged to apply. In addition, chiropractic students who have a bachelor’s degree are eligible to earn a second bachelor’s degree.

Statement of Purpose

There are both professional and practical reasons to complete your BS in Human Biology. In addition to the thorough grounding in the biological sciences offered by courses taken in the first three trimesters of the Doctor of Chiropractic program, the BS in Human Biology degree completion program offers these benefits:

• Professionally, you will develop your oral and written communication skills and your understanding of the philosophical foundations for the scientific method.
• Having a bachelor’s degree will generally increase your credibility if you serve as an expert witness, should you be called to testify in court.
• An increasing number of states require a bachelor’s degree for chiropractic licensure, and some managed care organizations show a preference for chiropractors with a bachelor’s degree when making network inclusion decisions.
• In general, a bachelor’s degree increases your professional credentials and provides you the opportunity to excel in your chiropractic practice.
• This BS in Human Biology will help with meeting licensure procedures in states that require a bachelor's degree prior to obtaining a license to practice. Some state licensing boards may require additional education upon beginning a chiropractic program. For more information, please consult with the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards at www.FCLB.org.

Course Requirements and Curriculum Overview

The BS in Human Biology is awarded to chiropractic students who have earned the required academic credit in four areas:

General Education requirement of 30 credits with a minimum of 4 credits in each of the following categories: Communication, Social Science, Humanities and Natural Science/Math. This requirement is normally completed as part of the entrance requirements to the chiropractic program.

1. Foundational Science requirement: General Chemistry 1 and 2 with lab, Organic Chemistry 1 and 2 with lab, General Physics 1 and 2 with lab, and a general Math course (minimum 3 credits). Each of these courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
2. Biology concentration courses taken during Trimesters 1 through 3 of the Doctor of Chiropractic program at Northwestern (Section A);
3. Twelve (12) credits of coursework from the Health Professions Core category of courses. These courses must be taken at NWHSU, but can be used to satisfy entrance requirements to the chiropractic program.

Admission Requirements

1. Completion of pre-chiropractic entrance requirements

For more information or to review your eligibility for the BS in Human Biology degree completion program, contact the Office of the Registrar.

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of all program course requirements.
2. Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better for courses taken at NWHSU toward the BSHB