February 24, 2026
Prepare for Professional Practice
The Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program at University of Western States is a rigorous yet streamlined doctoral degree program in Portland, Oregon that prepares you for professional licensure in three years.
Our evidence-based curriculum meets the educational requirements for chiropractic licensure in all 50 states, Canada, and many foreign jurisdictions.*
*Licensure regulations may vary by region and are subject to change. Review additional licensure information below.
Chiropractic Program Philosophy and Techniques
At UWS, we view health as the optimal function of all body systems, requiring individualized, evidence-based care tailored to each patient. Grounded in this whole-person approach, our biopsychosocial model emphasizes structural integrity while also addressing diet, stress, emotional well-being, and social factors by integrating manual medicine, nutrition, lifestyle management, physical rehabilitation protocols, and mind-body interventions.
The core curriculum for our Doctor of Chiropractic program includes training in psychomotor adjustive skills, joint biomechanics, and soft tissue and spinal assessments, including:
- Spinal and extremity manipulations
- Low-force spinal adjustive techniques
- Myofascial release and ischemic compression therapies
- Spinal flexion/distraction protocols
- Segmental drop table and speeder-board adjusting
- Instrument-assisted adjusting methods
- Introductory McKenzie Method®
- Instrument-assisted mobilization
- Muscle stretching and lengthening
- Strengthening procedures
- Physical rehabilitation protocols
Chiropractic Education Pioneers for 120 Years
Home to the second oldest chiropractic degree program in the world, University of Western States has remained at the forefront of leadership and innovation in the field since 1904.
That pioneering spirit lives on as we continue to offer aspiring chiropractors an education built on more than a century’s worth of knowledge and experience.
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Curriculum
Quarter 1
First standardized patient/clinical immersion activities
- Human Morphology 1
- Cellular and Molecular Architecture
- Clinical Methods 1
- Spine and Pelvis Radiographic Anatomy
- Social Determinants of Health
- Evidence Informed Practice (EIP) 1
- Chiropractic and the Health Care System
- Spinal Biomechanics
- Landmark Palpation
Quarter 2
Clinical examination
- Neuroscience 1
- Human Morphology 2
- Metabolism
- Clinical Methods 2
- Spinal Assessment
- Adjustive Psychomotor Skills
- Chiropractic Theories
- Spinal Kinetics and Kinematics
- Extremity Radiographic Anatomy
- EIP 2
Quarter 3
First chiropractic adjusting class
- Human Morphology 3
- Neuroscience 2
- Immunology
- Function and Disease 1
- Clinical Methods 3
- Thoracic Manipulation
- The Chiropractic Professional
- EIP 3
- Soft Tissue Normal Imaging
Quarter 4
Intro to Formal Assessment and Management
- Microbiology
- Function and Disease 2
- Foundational Nutrition
- Soft Tissue Technique
- NMS 1: Lumbar, Spine, and Pelvis
- Tissue Biomechanics
- Lumbopelvic Manipulation
- Radiation Physics and Safety
- Radiation Physics and Safety
Quarter 5
Intro to Diagnosis and Management
- Function and Disease 3
- Pathology Survey
- Internal Medicine 1
- Cervical Manipulation
- NMS 2: Cervical and Thoracic Spine
- Imaging Clinical Decision Making
- EIP Application 1
Quarter 6
Refinement of adjusting technique and application labs
- Internal Medicine 2
- Clinical Training Phase 1
- Clinical Methods 4
- Rehabilitation 1
- Manipulation Review Lab 1
- Lower Extremity Manipulation
- NMS 3: Lower Extremity
- Special Populations 1
Quarter 7
Clinical Entrance Exam (CEA)
- Internal Medicine 3
- Patient Management Plans 1
- Clinical Training Phase 2
- Rehabilitation 2
- Manipulation Review Lab 2
- Upper Extremity Manipulation
- Physiotherapy Modalities
- NMS 4: Upper Extremity
- Musculoskeletal Imaging 1
- Emergency Care
- X-Ray Positioning: Spine and Thorax
Quarter 8
Real-world clinical experience at Connected Whole Health Clinic
- Public Health
- Patient Management Plans 2
- Clinical Training Phase 3
- Taping, Bracing, and Splinting
- Manipulation Review Lab 3
- Extremity Manipulation Review
- Clinical Internship 1
- Chiropractic Practice Overview
- Special Populations 2
- Musculoskeletal Imaging 2
- Doctor Patient Communication
- X-Ray Positioning: Extremities and Pelvis
Quarter 9
Refinement of clinical skills
- Clinical Case Conferences 1
- Chiropractic Technique Survey
- Manipulation Review Lab 4
- Clinical Internship 2
- Clinical Nutrition/Pharmacology and Botanicals
- Minor Surgery/Proctology
- Soft Tissue Interpretation
- Clinical Radiology 1
- Clinical Neurology
- Jurisprudence and Ethics
- EIP Application 2
Quarter 10
Community-Based Clinical Education (CBCE)
- Clinical Case Conferences 2
- Clinical Internship 3
- Clinical Radiology 2
- Chiropractic Business Plans
- Clinically Applied Evidence
Quarter 11
Off-site community clinical opportunities (optional)
- Clinical Case Conferences 3
- Clinical Internship 4
Quarter 12
Off-site community clinical opportunities (optional)
- Clinical Internship 5
Early and Extensive Hands-On Training
Hands-on training begins in Quarter 1 at UWS' campus in Portland. This early introduction to practical learning helps you build and strengthen your chiropractic skills as soon as possible.
The Doctor of Chiropractic program runs for 36 months; of those, 15 months are dedicated to direct patient care experiences.
The Doctor of Chiropractic program runs for 36 months; of those, 15 months are dedicated to direct patient care experiences.
Standardized Patient Program
Practice face-to-face clinical reasoning and communication skills with trained actors in a controlled, supportive, and supervised setting.
Connected Whole Health Clinic
Gain hands-on clinical training right here at UWS by serving real Portland patients under the supervision of licensed providers at our on-campus Connected Whole Health Clinic.
Community-Based Clinical Education Program
Explore and experience multiple models of patient care using the extensive network of clinical affiliation sites across the U.S. and Canada established for our Community-Based Clinical Education Program.
Train for the Modern Medical System
The Doctor of Chiropractic program trains you to become an independent practitioner or a vital member of integrated health care teams who collaborates with other medical professionals to provide comprehensive patient-centered care.
Intentional exposure to a diverse range of clinical providers and models of care is designed to broaden your understanding of the chiropractic career paths available to you. The chiropractic faculty at UWS have built a robust culture of mentorship, and they take pride in helping you discover and pursue the paths that best align with your personal interests and professional goals.
Admissions Requirements
The Doctor of Chiropractic program admission requirements are guided by the academic standards and prerequisites established by the Council on Chiropractic Education. You should carefully review your region’s licensure and pre-chiropractic education requirements prior to enrollment if you intend to secure licensure outside of Oregon:
Chiropractic Regulatory Licensing Boards
Bachelor’s Degree Requirements
Applicants must meet specific entry requirements for the Doctor of Chiropractic program:
- Complete online admissions application
- Submit current résumé or curriculum vitae
- Transcripts: UWS requires official transcripts from all prior colleges and universities. Official transcripts should be mailed directly from those institutions to the UWS office of admissions. Our mailing address is: 8000 NE Tillamook St., Portland, OR 97213. Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded and attached to applications.
- Two letters of recommendation: You are encouraged to use professional or academic references who are most familiar with your former studies, academic interests, and work experience.
- Interview: An interview is only required if requested by the program director. If required, the UWS office of admissions will contact you directly to schedule a personal interview after your application and transcripts have been reviewed. Interviews may be completed either in-person or via Zoom videoconference.
- Personal essay: One essay (250-500 words) about your career goals is required.
- Application Fee: $50
- Background check: Successful completion of a background check through our approved partner, Advanced Reporting, is also required before enrollment. A link to complete this process will be provided upon your offer of conditional acceptance to UWS.
Your genuine voice and originality in your application materials are pivotal. All materials (including personal essays, letters of recommendation, etc.) must be original and not AI-generated to accurately gauge your writing proficiency and authenticity.
International Student Admission Requirements
Applicants from Canada and other international students have additional admissions requirements. Visit the International Student Admissions page for full details.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Chiropractic degree program at University of Western States is accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). For more information, contact the CCE using the contact form on its website (www.cce-usa.org), call 480-443-8877, or write to 9393 N 90TH ST, STE 102-660 Scottsdale, AZ 85258.
Licensure
The Doctor of Chiropractic program is designed to offer an education sufficient to qualify for licensure in all 50 states and in many international jurisdictions. Licensure regulations vary by state, province, or country and are subject to change.
It is your responsibility to verify the specific licensure in the jurisdiction(s) where you intend to practice, particularly regarding pre-chiropractic educational prerequisites and documentation. You should contact the appropriate chiropractic examining boards and confer with the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards website for the current requirements.
In accordance with CCE Policy 56, UWS student licensing outcomes are available here.
Tuition & Fees
Visit our Tuition and Fees page to learn more.
Financing Your Future
University of Western States remains committed to keeping higher education affordable and accessible. Our Financial Aid Department is ready to offer guidance and support in determining suitable financial assistance tailored to your needs, including potential scholarship opportunities, grants, and more.
Catalog
Please refer to our Academic Catalog for more information on the Doctor of Chiropractic program.
Clinical Partnerships
From Memphis, Tennessee, to Anchorage, Alaska, and from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, to Colonial Heights, Virginia, clinicians are partnering with UWS to offer wide-ranging, rigorous clinical experiences for our chiropractic students. With this distributed network, qualified senior chiropractic students have the choice to pursue a clinical immersion opportunity among a wide variety of health systems across the nation and Canada, including:
- Alliance Wellness (Vancouver)
- Optimum Wellness Centres (Calgary)
- Hosmer Chiropractic Health (Oregon)
- Total Performance Clinic (Oregon)
- Premiere Spine and Sport (Idaho)
- Tangelo Health (Seattle)
- PRO SPORT Clinic (Washington)
- Airrosti Rehabilitation (Washington)
- Winchester Spine and Sport (Missouri)
- Aligned Modern Health (Illinois)
NBCE and Completion Rates
View NBCE and Completion Rates for the University of Western States Doctor of Chiropractic Program
Frequently Asked Questions
What do chiropractors do?
Chiropractic physicians have the opportunity to pursue a wide variety of practice methods and specialties. Many chiropractors own their own practices or work in an integrated care clinic. Day-to-day work as a chiropractic physician typically consists of diagnostics and treatment, but these areas can vary widely depending on the strengths and interests of the individual clinician.
What are the benefits of becoming a chiropractor?
- Make a difference in the lives of patients.
- Participate in improving health and providing comfort as a member of the greater health care community.
- Chiropractic physicians advocate for whole-person wellness and conservative, non-invasive care
- Own and operate your own clinic.
- Gain independence and control over your practice and work schedule.
- The chiropractic career outlook includes a satisfying income and the ability to collaborate with other integrative healthcare professionals.
How much do chiropractors make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, chiropractors earn an average of $79,000 per year as of 2024. The chiropractic career outlook is strong, with an expected 10% growth from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average U.S. career outlook.
How much of the Doctor of Chiropractic program is spent in clinical training?
Of the 36 months of the total program, 15 months include dedicated patient care experiences.
Chiropractic: A Versatile Health Care Career
A variety of rewarding career opportunities are available to licensed chiropractors, including:
- Integrated health care teams: Chiropractors are becoming an essential asset to hospital systems, medical networks, health clinics, and other multidisciplinary, integrated health care teams.
- Private practice: Chiropractors can own their own private practice or work for another licensed Doctor of Chiropractic’s office.
- Multi-site systems: Multi-site systems aim to increase access to chiropractic care and provide reliable foot traffic for practitioners and easy access to care for individuals.
- Wellness centers and spas: Chiropractic graduates from UWS can apply their whole-person, holistic approach to care within centers and spas focused on wellness and healing.
Employment of chiropractors is projected to grow
10%
from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Bachelor’s Degree Not Required
Haven’t completed your bachelor’s degree yet? No problem.
Our B.S. in Human Biology completion program allows you to earn your Bachelor of Science degree while enrolled in the Doctor of Chiropractic program, helping you shave off up to a full year of your undergraduate studies.
Our B.S. in Human Biology completion program allows you to earn your Bachelor of Science degree while enrolled in the Doctor of Chiropractic program, helping you shave off up to a full year of your undergraduate studies.
"I am in awe of how hard the faculty and staff work to ensure that there is a deliberate focus on students. I am excited to continue the good work of being student focused, innovative, and creative. I could not ask for a better job."
Martha Kaeser, DC
Dean, College of Chiropractic
