Doctor of Chiropractic

Become a Chiropractic Physician

The University of Western States (UWS) flagship Doctor of Chiropractic program is a rigorous, 12-quarter doctoral program that is designed to be completed in three years. Taught on our beautiful campus in Portland, Oregon, students learn from experienced faculty with practical experience and clinical training. Students gain real-world knowledge to treat patients more effectively and with a relationship-centric approach.

As the second-oldest chiropractic school in the world, UWS has an innovative, evidence-informed approach to whole-person care; it combines research, strong academics, doctors’ knowledge and the inclusion of the patient’s or client’s personal evidence in pursuing courses of treatment. The Doctor of Chiropractic program is structured to integrate concepts and skills across the basic, clinical and chiropractic sciences that are applied to clinical reasoning, diagnosis and patient outcomes. Learn more about the Doctor of Chiropractic degree requirements by connecting with us virtually.

UWS Doctor of Chiropractic students can complete their undergraduate bachelor’s degree in human biology while enrolled in the Doctor of Chiropractic program, without having to take extra classes. Learn more about this benefit.

Explore the career pathways for those who obtain their Doctor of Chiropractic degree and learn more about what chiropractic means at UWS.

Get your questions answered by your peers. Contact [email protected] for answers to anything from student life to studying tips, and everything in between.

Mission: To prepare students as competent chiropractic physicians who apply evidence-informed, patient-centered strategies with professionalism and integrity.

Doctor of Chiropractic Philosophy and Techniques

What is UWS’s approach to chiropractic care?

At UWS, chiropractic care is rooted in evidence-informed, conservative practices that integrate manual medicine, nutrition, lifestyle management, and mind-body approaches. We view health as the optimal function of all body systems, requiring individualized care tailored to each patient. Our biopsychosocial model emphasizes structural integrity while also addressing diet, stress, emotional well-being, and social factors, ensuring a whole-person approach to healing and wellness.

What chiropractic adjustments will I learn in the DC program?

The chiropractic profession embraces dozens of adjustive techniques and management approaches. UWS offers inclusive instruction in formal lecture, laboratory, and clinical settings with exposure to critical discussions on a variety of chiropractic adjustive procedures, therapeutic modalities, and management systems. The Doctor of Chiropractic curriculum prepares students to be competent chiropractic physicians through step-by-step guidance in joint biomechanics, soft tissue and spinal assessments, psychomotor adjustive skills, and knowledge of when, where, and how to adjust, and when and how to apply adjunct physiotherapeutic modalities. 

The core curriculum includes an education in many specific approaches, a few of which include:

  • High-velocity, low-amplitude 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®
  • Soft tissue manipulation and instrument-assisted mobilization
  • Muscle stretching
  • Lengthening
  • Strengthening procedures
  • Physical rehabilitation protocols, as well as specifics on the most common physiotherapeutic modalities.

Doctor of Chiropractic students have access to elective courses and workshops where they may learn to employ other techniques, protocols, therapeutic procedures, and diagnostic systems. Club activities augment chiropractic adjustive techniques, soft tissue management approaches, and physical rehabilitation protocols.

Chiropractic Licensure

The Doctor of Chiropractic program offers students chiropractic education sufficient to qualify for licensure in all 50 states and in foreign jurisdictions. Licensure regulations vary from one jurisdiction to another and are subject to change. Students should contact individual licensing boards and consult the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards website for current information regarding licensure requirements in each state. 

Students applying to the UWS Doctor of Chiropractic degree program in Portland, Oregon, are responsible for contacting the chiropractic examining boards for the states or provinces in which they are interested in practicing to learn the licensure requirements in those states or provinces, particularly as they pertain to pre-chiropractic educational requirements.  More information can be found on the UWS Professional Licensure Disclosure webpage. 

Learn more about UWS student chiropractic licensing exam performance and program completion rates here.

International Doctor of Chiropractic Students Studying in the US

International students accepted into the Doctor of Chiropractic program must meet U.S. Department of Homeland Security guidelines for studying in the U.S. prior to enrolling at UWS. Students should initiate this process with plenty of lead time, preferably several months, before leaving home. 

Questions about enrolling in our chiropractic school in Portland, Oregon, as an international student should be directed to the Office of Admissions.

Doctor of Chiropractic Program FAQs

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.

  • 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.

Yes, University of Western States is the primary chiropractic academic affiliate for programs at both the VA Cincinnati Health Care and the VA Puget Sound Health Care System locations.
This Chiropractic Integrated Clinical Practice Residency is a CCE-accredited program and involves a unique full-time, one-year post-graduate clinical experience. The Veterans Health Administration chiropractic program objectives include hospital-based clinical training, interprofessional education, and training in scholarly activities

At University of Western States, chiropractic health care is viewed as a systems-based, whole-person approach to health and wellness. A Doctor of Chiropractic recognizes and honors the body’s innate mechanisms for adaptation and homeostasis, and understands that physical structure, biological function, and mental well-being are harmoniously interrelated. Effective health care is aimed at optimizing and supporting the body’s natural self-healing and intrinsic regulatory systems to address the root cause of disease and dysfunction.

A chiropractic physician evaluates the overall health of the patient with a particular focus on the integrity of the structural component. Evaluation includes a detailed history and examination, along with specialized laboratory tests and imaging procedures as indicated. In the management of patient care, emphasis is placed on the appropriate use of the most conservative and least invasive measures. 

Treatment approaches may involve manual therapy, including:

  • Spinal manipulation
  • Therapeutic exercises
  • Mobilization and stretching
  • Rehabilitative measures
  • Physical therapy such as electrotherapy, laser, hydrotherapy, and ultrasound
  • Diet counseling
  • Nutritional therapy
  • Lifestyle coaching
  • Mindfulness practices
  • Stress management counseling

UWS instills in every graduate the dedication to care that is always “for the good of the patient.” The Doctor of Chiropractic curriculum at UWS is focused on this core understanding and enduring commitment as we prepare graduates to provide conservative, whole-person, integrated health care.

Yes, you can tailor your chiropractic education to your professional interests by specializing with a master’s degree. Students have the option to enroll in UWS master’s programs concurrently with the DC program or as alumni to enhance skills and knowledge to pursue a chiropractic career path.

UWS Master’s Programs

  • M.S. in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine
  • M.S. in Sports Medicine (dual degree)
  • M.S. in Sport and Performance Psychology
  • M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Yes, chiropractic physicians can run several diagnostic tests on patients, then use that information to help guide their treatment plan and health management care.

  • Orthopedic and neurologic tests
  • Physical examination procedures
  • Clinical lab tests
  • Imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRI, diagnostic ultrasound)

  • Manual therapies: adjustment, manipulation, mobilization, soft tissue
  • Exercise strengthening and rehabilitation protocols
  • Taping, bracing, orthotics, supports
  • Physiotherapy modalities (diathermy, ultrasound, etc.)
  • Dietary and nutritional counseling
  • Ergonomic assessment
  • Stress management
  • Wellness promotion and lifestyle coaching

Yes, our Doctor of Chiropractic program in Portland, Oregon, uses standardized patients to create interactive learning experiences for students to apply their knowledge. Through standardized patient simulations, students practice history-taking, examinations, and treatments in a safe, structured environment. These experiences build clinical reasoning, communication skills, and confidence—ensuring students are well -prepared for real-world clinical rotations.

Yes, UWS provides a variety of Continuing Education options, including CE courses for first- and second-year chiropractors, as well as programs to help maintain active CE requirements.

Doctor of Chiropractic Degree Course Catalog

Please view our chiropractic program course catalog to gain more insight into the basic science, chiropractic science, clinical education, clinical science, clinical internship, Doctor of Chiropractic program selective and elective courses. 

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Our Campus

University of Western States has a rich history in the Pacific Northwest and has ensured the longevity, sustainability and growth of health care education in the region. Our current campus is an impressive facility, located at 8000 NE Tillamook St. in Portland, Oregon, offering modern amenities to support our highly esteemed educational programs. Take a video tour of the campus!

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