Doctor of Chiropractic Competency Based Credit Model
Curriculum Overview
The Doctor of Chiropractic program at NWHSU consists of ten 15-week trimesters, typically completed in three and a half years. The early trimesters focus on foundational content, incorporating basic sciences, clinical sciences, chiropractic philosophy and techniques, and business models. As learners progress through the program and demonstrate competency in their knowledge and skills, the complexity of the subject matter increases, preparing them for advanced practice and clinical proficiency.
Learners engage in hands-on learning from the very first trimester, starting with Clerkship 1 and Methods 1. The Clerkship series begins with immersive observations, allowing learners to witness chiropractic practices firsthand. Each trimester, the program builds on this foundation, with learners gradually taking on more aspects of the chiropractic experience. This progression leads to clinical internships, starting at the end of the second year, where students apply their knowledge in real-world settings. The Methods courses focus initially on the evaluation and assessment of the musculoskeletal system, advancing to supervised in-class adjusting/manipulative therapies which begins in the third trimester. The curriculum emphasizes a broad range of chiropractic therapies, prioritizing those adjusting and manipulative procedures proven most effective. These adjusting skills are complemented by related therapeutics, including physiological therapies, nutrition counseling, exercise training, rehabilitation, and mobilization procedures, providing a comprehensive approach to patient care.
Electives play a crucial role in the chiropractic program by allowing learners to tailor their education to align with their professional interests and career goals. By selecting specific electives, learners can deepen their knowledge and skills in areas that are particularly relevant to their future practice. This personalized approach not only enhances their understanding of chiropractic techniques and patient care but also equips them with specialized expertise that can benefit their future patients and communities. Electives provide learners with valuable opportunities to expand their toolkit and become well-rounded chiropractic practitioners capable of addressing diverse patient needs effectively.
Graduates are trained to be integrative and person-centered providers, equipping them to deliver comprehensive care tailored to individual patient needs. Graduates of NWHSU are prepared to practice as first-contact chiropractic physicians, capable of serving as primary portals of entry into the healthcare system. The diagnostic acumen and therapeutic skill sets required for these graduates necessitate a strong background in the basic sciences, alongside current and relevant studies in the clinical sciences. NWHSU graduates are also trained to collaborate effectively with other healthcare providers in interdisciplinary practices, ensuring a person-centered approach to patient care. Furthermore, internships provide further opportunities to observe and learn in a variety of clinical settings, including local medical practices, which enhances the graduates' practical experience and readiness to work in diverse healthcare environments.
Course Load
The breadth, depth and rigor of courses and resulting study load in each term of the curriculum at NWHSU is commensurate to that of other doctoral level health care education. As a result, the course load of the chiropractic program is rigorous and demanding, designed to ensure comprehensive education and training. Learners typically engage in a full-time schedule, with coursework covering a wide range of subjects including anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, and microbiology, alongside specialized chiropractic courses such as spinal biomechanics, diagnostic imaging, chiropractic techniques, and patient management. In addition to classroom instruction, the program includes extensive hands-on training through labs, simulations, and clinical internships. As learners advance through the program, the intensity of the coursework increases, requiring a significant commitment to studying, practice, and clinical application to ensure they are well-prepared for professional practice. Due to the nature of the chiropractic program of study, all learners are expected to maintain continuous enrollment. However, in the event that a learner requires a term off due to unforeseen circumstances, they may request a leave of absence.
Course Sequence
The course sequence of the chiropractic program is carefully structured to build a comprehensive foundation of knowledge and skills progressively. Throughout the program, learners are expected to demonstrate competency in each area of study through assessments and practical evaluations. This demonstration of competency is crucial for progression, ensuring that students have the requisite knowledge and skills before moving on to more advanced coursework and clinical training. The program culminates in hands-on clinical internships, where learners apply their learning in real-world settings, preparing them for professional practice. In trimesters 6 and 7, interns begin applying their clinical knowledge and skills in their first internships at the De Rusha Clinic, providing care to the campus community. From trimesters 8 through 10, interns advance to the Community Internship Program (CBI), where they intern at university clinics or private practices affiliated with the College of Chiropractic, further enhancing their practical skills and readiness for the field.
Graduation Requirements
The Doctor of Chiropractic Degree is granted to those candidates who have:
- successfully completed all requirements in the program of study;
- successfully completed 204 program credits (plus an additional 7 emphasis credits where applicable);
- successfully completed all required coursework with a grade of "C" or "satisfactory" or better;
- fulfilled elective credit requirements;
- successfully completed all clinical internships;
- demonstrated proficiency in all clinical competencies;
- demonstrated compliance with academic standards;
- demonstrated compliance with standards of conduct
Core Course Requirements
Chiropractic Foundational Sciences Department
| CFS-6000 | INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY OF HUMAN HEALTH AND DISEASE 1 | 5 |
| CFS-6100 | INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY OF HUMAN HEALTH & DISEASE 2 | 5 |
| CFS-6200 | INTEGRATIVE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY & BIOMECHANICS IN HEALTH CARE 1 | 6 |
| CFS-6250 | INTEGRATIVE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY & BIOMECHANICS IN HEALTH CARE 2 | 5 |
| CFS-6300 | INTEGRATIVE NEUROLOGY, ENDOCRINOLOGY & VISCERAL PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 1 | 6 |
| CFS-6350 | INTEGRATIVE NEUROLOGY, ENDOCRINOLOGY & VISCERAL PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2 | 5 |
| CFS-7400 | INTEGRATIVE NEUROLOGY, ENDOCRINOLOGY & VISCERAL PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 3 | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 37 |
Chiropractic Clinical Education Department
Chiropractic Studies Department
| CHS-6101 | METHODS 1: SKILLS ANALYSIS 1 | 1 |
| CHS-6111 | PRINCIPLES & PHILOSOPHY 1 | 1 |
| CHS-6202 | METHODS 2: SKILLS ANALYSIS 2 | 2 |
| CHS-6212 | PRINCIPLES & PHILOSOPHY 2 | 2 |
| CHS-6303 | METHODS 3: CERVICAL AND THORACIC MANUAL THERAPIES | 3.25 |
| CHS-6313 | PRINCIPLES & PHILOSOPHY 3 | 2 |
| CHS-7404 | METHODS 4: LUMBOPELVIC MANUAL THERAPIES | 3.25 |
| CHS-7501 | PHYSIOLOGICAL THERAPEUTICS 1: MODALITIES | 2.25 |
| CHS-7505 | METHODS 5: PRACTICUM 1 | 2.25 |
| CHS-7514 | PRINCIPLES & PHILOSOPHY 4 | 2 |
| CHS-7602 | PHYSIOLOGICAL THERAPEUTICS 2: SOFT TISSUE TECHNIQUES | 2 |
| CHS-7606 | METHODS 6: PRACTICUM 2 | 2 |
| CHS-8703 | PHYSIOLOGICAL THERAPEUTICS 3: EXERCISE AND REHABILITATION | 1.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 26.5 |
Clinical Sciences Department
Health Promotions and Associated Sciences Department
Practice and Professionalism Department
Radiology Department
| RAD-6101 | SKELETAL RADIOLOGY 1 | 1.5 |
| RAD-6302 | SKELETAL RADIOLOGY 2 | 2.5 |
| RAD-7403 | SKELETAL RADIOLOGY 3 | 2.5 |
| RAD-7504 | SKELETAL RADIOLOGY 4 | 2.5 |
| RAD-7605 | RADIOLOGY OF ABDOMEN & CHEST | 2.5 |
| RAD-7606 | RADIATION PHYSICS AND SAFETY | 3 |
| RAD-8707 | RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY & POSITIONING | 1.5 |
| RAD-8908 | CLINICAL IMAGING- A CASE STUDY APPROACH | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Additional Program Requirements
| INCR-6001 | FOUNDATIONS OF INTEGRATIVE CARE | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 1 |
Elective Course Requirements
Students are required to take a minimum of 5.75 elective credits to include 1.5 credits of Methods Enrichment, 2.0 credits of Practice and Professionalism, 0.75 credits of Health Promotions, and 1.5 credits of additional electives chosen from any subject area.
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Elective Requirements
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Credits
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|
Required electives in DCE-72xx Methods Enrichment
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1.5
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Required electives in DCE-77xx Practice and Professionalism
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2
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Required electives in DCE-78xx Health Promotions
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.75
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An additional requirement of 1.5 credits electives chosen from any DCE subject
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1.5
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Total
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5.75
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| DCE-7105 | INTERACTIVE ACTIVATOR METHODS TRAINING | .75 |
| DCE-7201 | INSTRUMENT ASSISTED SOFT-TISSUE MOBILIZATION (GRASTON) | .75 |
| DCE-7202 | CREATIVE CHIROPRACTIC | .75 |
| DCE-7205 | CHIROPRACTIC INSTRUMENT ADJUSTING/ACTIVATOR METHODS | .75 |
| DCE-7208 | UPPER CERVICAL TECHNIQUE | .75 |
| DCE-7220 | ADVANCED UPPER EXTREMITY MANAGEMENT | .75 |
| DCE-7221 | ADVANCED LOWER EXTREMITY MANAGEMENT | .75 |
| DCE-7301 | CHALLENGING CASES IN A CHIROPRACTIC PRACTICE | .75 |
| DCE-7305 | SPORT MED - CONCUSSION-BASELINE TESTING, DIAGNOSIS & MANAGEMENT | 1 |
| DCE-7306 | SPORT MED - PRE-PARTICIPATION SPORT PHYSICALS | 1 |
| DCE-7307 | SPORT MED - INTRODUCTION TO SPORTS TAPING | .75 |
| DCE-7308 | PRENATAL, PEDIATRIC, AND OLDER ADULT ADJUSTING TECHNIQUES AND MANAGEMENT | .75 |
| DCE-7310 | INTEGRATING COMPLEMENTARY SERVICES INTO EMERGING HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS | 1 |
| DCE-7312 | NAVIGATING THE PRACTICE MINEFIELD | .75 |
| DCE-7314 | SPORTS DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING 1 | .75 |
| DCE-7315 | SPORTS DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING II | .75 |
| DCE-7400 | ADVANCED THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE | 1 |
| DCE-7402 | SELECTIVE FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT ASSESSMENT | 1 |
| DCE-7404 | REHABILITATION OF NEUROMUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS | .75 |
| DCE-7406 | PAIN SCIENCE COMMUNICATION | .75 |
| DCE-7408 | STRENGTH & CONDITIONING | 1 |
| DCE-7702 | BUYING/STARTING A PRACTICE | 2 |
| DCE-7703 | MARKETING | 2 |
| DCE-7704 | STARTING PRACTICE IN CANADA | 1 |
| DCE-7800 | DEVELOPING A TARGETED AUDIENCE PRESENTATION | .75 |
| DCE-7801 | DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) ALCOHOL AND DRUG TESTING CERTIFICATION | .75 |
| DCE-7802 | SEVEN STEPS TO STRONG POSTURE: IMPLEMENTING A POSTURAL AWARENESS AND TRAINING AWARENESS PROGRAM | .75 |
| DCE-7803 | OBESITY: A CLINICAL EIP APPROACH | .75 |
| DCE-7804 | WRITING A CASE REPORT | .75 |
| DCE-7805 | CORPORATE HEALTH AND WELLNESS | .75 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 5.75 |
Doctor of Chiropractic Sports and Rehabilitation Emphasis
Learners who apply and are approved for the Sports & Rehabilitation Emphasis must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 7 elective credits. This includes 4 credits from required courses specified for the emphasis, with the remaining 3 credits chosen from a curated list of pre-identified courses approved for the emphasis. This structured approach ensures that students acquire specialized knowledge and skills essential for effective practice in sports chiropractic and rehabilitative care, empowering them to provide comprehensive and targeted treatments to athletes and patients seeking recovery and optimal performance enhancement.
Required emphasis courses: DCE-7220, DCE-7221, DCE-7404, DCE-7406, DCE-7408
Additional emphasis courses: DCE-7305, DCE-7306, DCE-7307, DCE-7314, DCE-7315, DCE-7400, DCE-7402
Required Emphasis Courses
| DCE-7220 | ADVANCED UPPER EXTREMITY MANAGEMENT | .75 |
| DCE-7221 | ADVANCED LOWER EXTREMITY MANAGEMENT | .75 |
| DCE-7404 | REHABILITATION OF NEUROMUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS | .75 |
| DCE-7406 | PAIN SCIENCE COMMUNICATION | .75 |
| DCE-7408 | STRENGTH & CONDITIONING | 1 |
Elective Emphasis Courses
| DCE-7305 | SPORT MED - CONCUSSION-BASELINE TESTING, DIAGNOSIS & MANAGEMENT | 1 |
| DCE-7306 | SPORT MED - PRE-PARTICIPATION SPORT PHYSICALS | 1 |
| DCE-7307 | SPORT MED - INTRODUCTION TO SPORTS TAPING | .75 |
| DCE-7314 | SPORTS DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING 1 | .75 |
| DCE-7315 | SPORTS DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING II | .75 |
| DCE-7400 | ADVANCED THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE | 1 |
| DCE-7402 | SELECTIVE FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT ASSESSMENT | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 7 |
Total Credit Hours: 204