Doctor of Chiropractic
Spine and Neuromusculoskeletal Health Professionals |
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Skilled Clinicians |
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Providers of Evidence-Informed Care |
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Advocates for Community Health |
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Integrated and Collaborative Team Members |
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Leaders in Healthcare |
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By graduation, Northeast doctor of chiropractic students will demonstrate the ability to:
- Develop a list of differential diagnosis/es and corresponding exams from a case-appropriate health history and review of external health records.
- Identify significant findings that may indicate the need for follow-up through additional examination, application of diagnostic and/or confirmatory tests and tools, and any consultations.
- Generate a problem list with diagnosis/es.
- Develop an evidence-informed management plan appropriate to the diagnosis, including obstacles to improvement, measurable healthcare goals, prognoses and target endpoint of care in consideration of bio-psychosocial factors, natural history and alternatives to care.
- Refer for emergency care and/or collaborative care as appropriate.
- Present a management plan that includes obtaining informed consent.
- Deliver appropriate chiropractic adjustments/manipulations, and/or other forms of passive care as identified in the management plan.
- Implement appropriate active care as identified in the management plan.
- Make recommendations for changes in lifestyle behaviors, activities of daily living and/or dietary and nutritional habits as appropriate.
- Implement changes to the management plan as new clinical information becomes available.
- Identify maximum improvement and document the endpoint of care or determine rationales for continuing care.
- Manage health risks and public health issues, including reporting, as required.
- Recommend or provide resources (educational, community-based, etc.) and instruction regarding public health issues.
- Address appropriate hygiene practices in the clinical environment.
- Communicate health improvement strategies with other health professionals.
- Document health risks and management options considering the patient’s health care needs and goals.
- Consider the patient's ethnicity, cultural beliefs, and socio-economic status when communicating.
- Generate accurate, concise, appropriate and legible patient records, narrative reports and correspondence.
- Safeguard and keep confidential the patient’s protected health and financial information.
- Generate patient records that are in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations and applicable/accepted industry standards.
- Maintain appropriate physical, communication (verbal and non-verbal) and emotional boundaries with patients.
- Maintain professional conduct with patients, peers, staff, and faculty.
- Comply with the ethical and legal dimensions of clinical practice.
- Use relevant scientific literature and other evidence to inform patient care.
- Identify subluxations/segmental dysfunction of the spine and/or other articulations.
- Analyze and interpret findings indicating the need for chiropractic adjustment/manipulation.
- Identify indications, contraindications, and risk factors for the chiropractic adjustment/manipulation; and explain the anticipated benefits, potential complications and effects to patients.
- Apply chiropractic adjustment/manipulation to patients while ensuring patient safety.
- Identify the effects following the chiropractic adjustment/manipulation.
- Explain their own roles and responsibilities and those of other care providers and how the team works together to provide care.
- Use appropriate team building and collaborative strategies with other members of the healthcare team to support a team approach to patient centered care.
Sample Schedule
Course | Credits Hours |
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First Trimester | |
ANA6110 Cell and Tissue Biology | 4 |
PHY6105 Cell Physiology | 1 |
ANA6104 Neuroscience I | 5 |
ANA6105 Gross Anatomy I | 5 |
PHL6110 Foundations of Professional Development | 1 |
BCH6101 Principles of Biochemistry | 3 |
PHL6101 Chiropractic Philosophy and History | 2 |
TCH6101 Technique I: Psychomotor Skills | 1 |
TCH6102 Technique II: Introduction to Palpation | 1 |
Total | 23 |
Second Trimester | |
ANA6204 Gross Anatomy II | 5 |
ANA6205 Neuroscience II | 5 |
BCH6203 Biochemistry of Nutrition and Metabolism | 2 |
PHL6203 Issues in Chiropractic Research | 1 |
RAD6203 Spinal Radiology | .5 |
PHY6203 Systems Physiology | 5 |
TCH6203 Chiropractic Technique III: Spinal Assessment and Introduction to Techniques | 4 |
Total | 22.5 |
Third Trimester | |
ANA6304 Gross Anatomy III | 5 |
AST6304 Basic Human Nutrition I | 2 |
MPH6301 Clinical Microbiology | 4 |
PHL6308 Fundamentals for Chiropractic Research Literacy | 2 |
PHY6302 Principles of Physiopathology | 5 |
RAD6304 Extremities Radiology | .5 |
TCH6304 Chiropractic Technique IV | 4 |
TCH6305 Extremities Technique I | 2 |
Total | 24.5 |
Fourth Trimester | |
DIA6403 Patient Assessment Methods I | 5 |
MPH6404 Public Health and Wellness | 4 |
PHL6410 Chiropractic Theories | 1 |
PHL6412 Ethical Decision Making in Clinical Care | 1 |
PHY6404 Musculoskeletal Physiopathology | 5 |
PHY6405 Visceral Pathology | 4 |
TCH6406 Extremities Technique II | 2 |
TCH6407 Chiropractic Technique V | 4 |
Total | 27 |
Fifth Trimester | |
AST6502 Emergency Procedures | .5 |
AST6504 Basic Human Nutrition II | 1 |
DIA6502 Patient Assessment Methods II | 4 |
DIA6508 Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis | 4 |
RAD6504 Bone and Joint Imaging | 6 |
TCH6501 Soft Tissue Techniques | 3 |
TCH6502 ConnecTX Therapy | 1 |
TCH6508 Chiropractic Technique VI | 4 |
Total | 23.5 |
Sixth Trimester | |
ATP6603 Passive Care | 2 |
ATP6604 Active Care | 2 |
BPM6630 Practice Management and the Law | 2 |
DIA6605 Correlative Patient Assessment | 2 |
DIA6606 General Diagnosis | 3 |
PHL6605 The Scientific Basis for Chiropractic Care | 2 |
PHL6607 Patient Education | 2 |
RAD6608 Principles of Diagnostic Imaging | 2 |
RAD6610 Radiographic Examination | 1 |
TCH6604 Flexion Distraction Technique | 3 |
TCH6605 Evidence Based Clinical Case Management | 3 |
Total | 24 |
Seventh Trimester | |
AST6705 Clinical Nutrition | 2 |
BPM6703 Coding, Billing and Documentation | 2 |
BPM6704 Business and Practice Management | 1 |
CLS6710 Introduction to Clinical Services | 5 |
DIA6708 Human Developmental Diagnosis | 4 |
RAD6705 Advanced Imaging | 3 |
TCH6706 Diagnosis and Management of Extremities Conditions | 3 |
TCH6708 Contemporary Concepts in Chiropractic | 1 |
Total | 21 |
Eighth Trimester | |
AST6802 Clinical Psychology | 2 |
AST6806 Concepts in Pharmacology | 2 |
BPM6830 Applied Ethics of Chiropractic | 1 |
CLS6804 Clinical Service Phase I | 12 |
Total | 17 |
Ninth Trimester | |
BPM6903 Getting Into Practice | 2 |
CLS6904 Clinical Service Phase II | 16 |
Total | 18 |
Tenth Trimester | |
BPM7007 Marketing Strategies for Healthcare Professionals | 2 |
CLS7006 Clinical Service Phase III | 15 |
Total | 17 |
TOTAL CORE HOURS | 216.5 |
TOTAL ELECTIVE COURSE HOURS | 9 |
TOTAL PROGRAM HOURS | 225.5 |
(A minimum of nine elective credit hours must be completed after completion of 4th-trimester coursework)
The program has been accredited through the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) since 1977.
Northeast College of Health Sciences will admit candidates into the Doctor of Chiropractic program whose goals, abilities, and character are consistent with the program’s mission.
Designed for enrolled chiropractic students who have not yet earned their baccalaureate degree, BPS students earn a bachelor's degree with a major in life sciences while pursuing their doctorate.

Take the first step to pursue your passion and become a doctor of chiropractic.
The definition of chiropractic is 'done by hand.' We're one of the few professions where we still use our hands as our main tools, both for diagnostic and for treatment purposes.
Dr. Timothy Whiting
Instructor / Faculty Clinician