Northwestern College of Chiropractic prides itself in providing one of the finest clinical experiences available in chiropractic education. A complete array of clinical opportunities is available for Northwestern chiropractic interns. Students participate in these experiences starting in the sixth trimester and extending though graduation. These educational programs demonstrate the University's commitment to clinical excellence and preparedness for professional success.

University Health Service

Student interns prepare to enter fee-for service clinic settings by first providing care to Northwestern students, employees, and their families in the University Health Services located in the J. Lamoine De Rusha Clinical Education Center. In the sixth trimester, interns complete a structured laboratory experience in which they refine their skills by interviewing, examining and providing chiropractic care to early trimester students. During this initial phase, students review, practice and discuss all elements of the clinical process in laboratory, lecture and small group discussion settings.

In the seventh trimester, interns continue to apply and review all elements of the patient care process as they work with faculty clinicians in the University Health Services caring for patients from the campus community.

Northwestern's Natural Care Centers and Community Based Internship (CBI)

In the eighth and ninth trimesters, students intern under the supervision of a faculty clinician at the fee-for-service Natural Care Centers of the University or the Community Based Internship program (CBI). Northwestern's internships provide students with rich clinical experiences, contact with diverse patient populations and opportunities to build business skills. In each setting, a small student-to-faculty ratio results in a close relationship between the clinical mentor and the intern.

The Natural Care Centers are located in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Bloomington Natural Care Center is located on the University campus and the Natural Care Center at Woodwinds is located on a hospital campus. The Natural Care Centers feature a variety of patient services, including chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture, Oriental medicine, healing touch and naturopathy.

The Community Based Internship Program, a Northwestern innovation, is another opportunity available to students in the eighth and ninth trimesters. Students who serve their internship in the CBI program are placed in the private practice of a doctor of chiropractic who participates with the University in clinical education. Approximately 150 doctors in Minnesota meet the rigorous internship standards to mentor chiropractic students from Northwestern during their internship experience.

Clinical Rotations

The promotion of integrated and collaborative natural and conventional medical care is a unique objective of Northwestern. As a complement to their primary clinical experience, students observe the clinical practices of chiropractors and other health care professionals such as neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, dentists, radiologists, massage therapists and Oriental medicine practitioners. Through participation in this program, students come to better understand the rationale for different approaches to care; are exposed to a wider range of patient conditions; understand the means for patient management through consultations and referrals; and have the opportunity to network with specialists.

Preceptorship Program

Tenth trimester students who have completed all the clinical requirements of the University and the Council on Chiropractic Education have the option of completing their training with doctors of chiropractic practicing in over 30 states and many foreign countries. This program provides an opportunity for final-term students to begin the transition to private practice.