Admission Requirements - College of Chiropractic
Doctor of Chiropractic - Standard Track
Admission requirements for incoming classes beginning September 2013 include:
- Total credits and cumulative GPA
- Prerequisites - required and recommended
- Qualifications
- Admission application
1. Total credits and cumulative GPA
90 semester credits at bachelor's degree level:
A minimum of 90 semester credits (135 quarter credits) at the bachelor's degree level at a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or an equivalent foreign institution.
24 semester credits in the Life and Physical Sciences:
A minimum of 24 semester credits (36 quarter credits) in the Life and Physical Sciences. Of these 24 semester credits (36 quarter credits), at least half must include a lecture and lab component.
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on the best of the 90 semester credits:
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the best of the 90 semester credits (135 quarter credits) completed. The best 90 credits must include the 24 semester credits (36 quarter credits) of Life and Physical Sciences.
Custom Track Plan:
Students with a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale on the best of the 90 semester credits (135 quarter credits) may be admitted under a Custom Track Plan and will work closely with an academic advisor. Students who do not meet other requirements should consult the Office of Admissions for further options under the Custom Track Plan.
NOTE: A maximum of 16 of the 90 semester credits (24 of the 135 quarter credits) may be earned in a certificate or vocational/technical AAS program from a regionally accredited institution. These credits will be considered pass/fail and will not raise or lower the minimium cumulative GPA.
No more than 20 of the 90 semester credits (30 of the 135 quarter credits) may be acquired through CLEP examinations or challenging of courses and only in courses other than required science courses.
2. Prerequisites
Required courses in the Life and Physical Sciences
For success in the doctor of chiropractic program, these courses are required:
- General Chemistry 1 (with lab) - Principles of Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry or Introductory Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry 1 (with lab)
- Biology 1 (with lab) - Animal, Vertebrate or General Biology, Zoology, Anatomy, Physiology or Microbiology
Recommended additional courses in the Life and Physical Sciences
The doctor of chiropractic program has a rigorous basic sciences curriculum. These additional science courses are strongly recommended for a student's successful progress:
- General Chemistry 2 (with lab) - Principles of Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry or Introductory Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry 2 (with lab)
- Biology 2 (with lab) - Animal, Vertebrate, or General Biology, Zoology, Anatomy, Physiology or Microbiology
- Physics 1 (with lab) and/or Physics 2 (with lab)
- Biochemistry (with lab)
Other science courses may qualify, including Human Anatomy, Cell Biology, Cell Physiology, Immunology and Genetics. Students may check with the Office of Admissions to review science prerequisites.
Recommended general education courses:
English, Speech or Communications, and Psychology are recommended.
3. Qualifications
You must demonstrate sufficient maturity to undertake a health care profession and meet all additional qualifications. These qualifications assist you in progressing through the curriculum and clinical training in the doctor of chiropractic program.
4. Admission application
Students are encouraged to apply early. However, we continue to take applications if spots are available.
Note to applicant: Admission is competitive and enrollment is limited. Satisfying the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Transfer students from other chiropractic schools who meet Northwestern's admission requirements can be accommodated.
Responsibility of applicant: It is the responsibility of the applicant to be aware of the chiropractic school requirements for admission and to ensure that they are met prior to enrollment. If Northwestern determines at any time that requirements are not met in full, the student will not be allowed to enroll or to continue at Northwestern.
