The Business of Chiropractic: How NWHSU Prepares You to Open a Practice
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Last updated: March 5, 2026
Northwestern Health Sciences University has one of the top chiropractic programs in the country, preparing you to become a competent and successful clinician. But many prospective students ask “do they prepare you to be a business owner?” In this article, we’ll cover how NWHSU prepares you to open a practice.
Opening your own chiropractic practice can be daunting, especially if you don’t have a background in business. Thankfully NWHSU has you covered, with:
- Business classes built into the curriculum
- Acess to mentorships and internships
- A new module-based learning platform for students and alumni
Business Classes are Built-Into the Curriculum
NWHSU has the only competency-based curriculum in the country. What does this mean? Clinical internships start from your first trimester, competency centered assessments ensure you won’t slip through the cracks, and professors work together to connect the content of your courses. This model also applies to the business centered courses at NWHSU which include:
- Business Essentials
- Becoming a Professional
- Ethics and Professionalism
- Employment law
- Compensation Compliance and Quality
- Marketing
- Managing Finances
- Buying/Starting a Practice
- Starting a Practice in Canada
Not all of these are required courses (some are electives). But, you will graduate with knowledge of practice ownership, professional and ethical conduct, developing business plans and goals, your rights as an employer or employee, and more.
Specific to the chiropractic profession, you can feel confident knowing you’ll learn the ins and outs of insurance billing, professional and ethical laws, finances and how to run a successful practice, whether you want to open your own practice, or be an associate.
Internships Where You Gain Real World Experience
As mentioned above, you’ll start your clinical internships in your very first trimester of the chiropractic program. Clinical clerkships 1- 4 will allow you to observe chiropractic principals in real world settings, gaining communication, civic engagement and critical thinking skills under the supervision of experienced chiropractic professionals.
Clinical internships 1-5 will give 1:1 mentorship and instruction in controlled clinical environments, giving more independence as you move through the program with performing examinations, administering care and forming treatment plans.
You’ll then have the opportunity to pursue Community Based Internships (CBI) which place students with chiropractors working in the metro area, out of state, or even out of the country to continue to build on clinical outcome skills, working with insurance and learning valuable business preparedness. In these real-world practices, you’ll also gain exposure to unique patient populations and begin to understand what it takes to run your own practice.
Practice Ready Essential Modules
NWHSU also recently launched a new set of learning modules exclusive to NWHSU students and alumni: “Practice Ready Essential Modules,” developed with support from the National Chiropractic Mutual Insurance Company (NCMIC). What’s great about this new resource is that it’s available even after you graduate: so you can refer to it when you’re opening a practice and have questions.
Designed to be learn-at-your-own-pace, these modules are targeted towards early professionals looking to successfully launch a practice, regardless of healthcare discipline. Starting with beginner level business, networking and financial learning, you’ll move through each module, compounding on your previous knowledge until participating in activities like plans and worksheets.
These modules will have plethora of information, activities and resources geared toward:
- Defining your “Brand”
- Building a Professional Network
- Developing a Business Plan
- Strengthening Financial Literacy
And more! They help you strengthen your business readiness, preparing you to confidently start your own chiropractic practice.
Interested in pursuing a career in chiropractic? Reach out to Admissions to ask questions, schedule a campus tour, or attend Discovery Day.