National University prepares students to become first-contact,
primary care physicians fully qualified to diagnose, treat, and
manage a wide range of conditions. We believe a superior education
starts with an evidence-based, broad-scope curriculum emphasizing
integrative medicine.
What is Chiropractic Medicine?
Chiropractic medicine is a comprehensive health care profession
that addresses the wide variety of factors that impact upon human
physiology. Chiropractic physicians specialize in natural,
non-invasive health care and are trained to use a full range of
medical diagnostic tools and a wide array of effective treatment
options in patient care.
Philosophy of Chiropractic Medicine
At National University, students are broadly educated and
extensively trained in evidence based medicine to provide whole
health healing to patients. During the course of study at National
University, students study in an integrative learning environment
alongside other natural health care focused professions. Students
are well prepared to become first-contact, primary care physicians,
ready to diagnose, treat and manage a wide range of patients and
conditions. New graduates are also qualified to begin post-graduate
education for several clinical specialties.
Chiropractic Medicine Treatments
Treatment
modalities can include performing manipulation, functional and
nutritional medicine, and lifestyle counseling, physical
rehabilitation therapy and providing supplements including vitamins
and natural botanical medicines. National University graduates are
extensively trained as thorough diagnosticians to identify the
appropriate treatment for their patients.
Chiropractic Careers

Chiropractic Licensure
Licensure of chiropractic medicine has different rules and
procedures depending which state, country, or international region
you wish to practice. To practice as a chiropractic physician in
the U.S., students must pass the national board examinations
conducted by the National Board of
Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE). They must also apply for
licensure in the state in which they plan to practice. Students are
responsible for familiarity with the state's scope of practice and
licensing and renewal requirements.
To practice in Canada, students must pass the national board
examination conducted by the Canadian
Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB). Individuals interested in
practicing in Canada should also inquire within their specific
province or territory of interest for licensure requirements.
Physicians wishing to practice in other international countries or
regions may be required to pass the International Board of Chiropractic
Examiners (IBCE) examination or other requirements specific to
a location. Students are urged to visit the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing
Boards (FCLB) for more information.
The professional organizations representing chiropractic
physicians include the American
Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the World Federation of Chiropractic
(WFC).

Choosing Between a Career in Chiropractic Medicine or
Physical Therapy?
Chiropractic physicians enjoy a number of career advantages
compared to physical therapists or certified athletic trainers. Learn
more about these advantages and hear from NUHS graduate Dr.
Randy Cybulski on why a DC degree could be a better choice for your
long-term goals.
Chiropractic Sports Medicine
If you seek a career emphasis in chiropractic sports medicine,
NUHS is an excellent choice. Learn more about sports medicine
at NUHS.
Our Curriculum
You can earn your Doctor of Chiropractic degree in as little as
ten trimesters at our Illinois
campus or our Florida site. Students attend school year
round and may complete the program in three years and four
months.
National University's distinctive and innovative curriculum
provides you with a comprehensive base in human biology and
anatomy, and extensive hands-on training in diagnosis and
treatment. We train you to think like a physician. Throughout the
program, you will learn how to master a variety of chiropractic
adjustments through our diversified technique curriculum, which also
includes flexion-distraction technique. The chiropractic program is
a three-phase program.
Phase I: Basic Sciences
- Spend one full year of anatomy and physiology in our anatomy lab where
you'll perform complete human dissection rather than learning by
prosection or virtual instruction.
Phase II: Clinical Sciences
- Learn how to diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of
ailments.
- Practice evaluation and diagnostic techniques with
"standardized patients."
- Gain valuable business knowledge on how to
ethically promote and market your practice.
Phase III: Clinical Practice
- Experience your internship through one of a variety of clinical opportunities.
- Expand your medical and leadership skills by participating in
community outreach events.
Learn more about the program's curriculum by viewing:
You may also explore our Flex Track schedules which allow
students wishing to go at a slower pace to take a reduced course
load each trimester.
Broad-Scope, Patient-Centered Care
We prepare our students to evaluate and address the full range
of factors affecting human health. You'll learn to diagnose and
treat each of your patients based on a thorough evaluation of their
unique health history and profile. You won't base your care on just
one symptom, one part or region of the body, or one type of
treatment. Instead, you'll learn to think in terms of "whole health
healing." You'll draw from a wide range of healing modalities and
work together with experts from other medical fields whenever it
will benefit your patient.
Research
Our commitment to research is demonstrated by our journals, our extensive current
research, and the number of student research opportunities
available. You'll find evidence-based practice is an
important part of each phase in our curriculum.
Nate Porcher
(DC '13)
As a student, Nate wrote a research article on sports-related
concussions that was later published in the Journal of
Chiropractic Medicine after he graduated. He had originally
given a presentation on the research at the 2012 Chiropractic
Sports Symposium.
Featured Chiropractic Alumni
Dr.
Brian Hutcheson (DC '13)
Dr. Brian Hutcheson is the first DC hired by Hope Health, a
regional medical center with nine facilities and a patient base of
32,000. He will help develop their integrative medicine section,
and serve on the center's integrative boards for diabetic patients
and pain management. He says: "National is the only school that
could have prepared me for this opportunity." Read more
»
Accreditation
National University of Health Sciences' chiropractic
degree program in Lombard, Illinois, has been accredited by the
Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) since 1971, and by its
predecessor, the American Chiropractic Association Committee on
Accreditation since 1966. The chiropractic degree program in St.
Petersburg, Florida has been accredited since 2009.
Strengths
Consider National University for its distinct advantages and be
well-prepared for the career that awaits you. Learn more about
how National University supports your career success in the
classroom and beyond »
Integrative Learning
Students learn in the classroom with students in other health
programs, as well as treat patients collaboratively within an
integrative clinic. National University's focus on collaborative
learning encourages students to become colleagues rather than
competitors. This better prepares them for future careers in
today's field of integrated health care. Additionally, NUHS
students can expand their career credentials by enrolling in dual degree programs.
Primary Care Focused
Students in the chiropractic medicine program at National
University are trained to become primary care physicians, focused
on providing patient-centered care and whole health healing.
Central to the chiropractic curriculum at National University is
thorough training in diagnosis and a focus on the complete health
care of a patient, and not merely specific issues or symptoms.
Superior Manipulation Techniques
As a student at National University, you will learn a variety of
manual therapy techniques through our diversified technique
curriculum, which includes training in flexion-distraction
technique. Learn more about techniques
»
Rigorous Medical Education
The chiropractic medicine program at National University
emphasizes broad-scope, science-based teaching through Evaluation
& Management courses. These unique courses focus on pairing the
knowledge learned in the basic science courses with clinical
reasoning. You'll learn how to decide on the correct chiropractic
manipulation and medical procedures needed to treat each patient
condition.
We train students to work effectively with other health care
professionals such as MDs, DOs, NDs, and more. With such a thorough
education in the basic and clinical sciences, graduates will speak
the same language as those in other health care fields.
Campus Location and Facilities

National University is proud to offer the Doctor of Chiropractic
program in two locations: Lombard, Illinois, and St. Petersburg,
Florida. The Lombard campus is conveniently located 15 miles from
the city of Chicago with easy access by car or Metra train. The St.
Petersburg site is conveniently located 18 miles from downtown
Tampa. Both areas are home to some of the largest health care
communities with hundreds of hospitals and area clinics, giving you
countless opportunities to pursue a career in an integrated health
care setting.
Students are taught in modern classrooms utilizing
state-of-the-art technology such as SMART boards. Our gross anatomy
laboratory housing over 40 human cadavers, allows you to learn
by hands-on dissection rather than prosection or virtual
instruction. In addition to hands-on dissection, NUHS offers The Anatomage
Table, today's most technologically advanced digital
visualization system for anatomy education. Active learning
continues during clinical science studies in our Training and Assessment
Center where you will work with "standardized patients" to
develop your clinical and communication skills. Learn more about our
facilities »
Internships

Each DC student serves a full-year clinical internship that is
designed to provide interns with the kind of challenging,
real-world experience that is key to their future professional
success.
The clinical experience can be completed at either a Whole
Health Center, or a variety of other internship opportunities
including non-profit clinics, clerkships, or hospital rotations.
Opportunities are available in Illinois and Florida. Learn more »
Study in Illinois or Florida
You can earn your Doctor of Chiropractic degree at our Illinois
campus just a short drive from the world-class city of Chicago, or
our Florida site near the vibrant city of
Tampa!
Other Program Opportunities
Dual Degrees
Students who earn their DC degree at National University have the
option to earn a second degree (ND, MSOM, or MSAc) through dual enrollment. Because there are
shared courses between the programs, there will be a reduction of
the total number of hours needed to complete the second degree.
Students are not eligible to begin dual enrollment until the third
trimester of their initial or primary program of study.
Jane Drobin - DC/ND Graduate
The opportunity to earn doctorates in chiropractic and
naturopathic medicine in less time than earning them separately at
different schools led Dr. Drobin to National University. "NUHS does
a good job of exposing you to everything," she explained, noting
that she added 100 hours of acupuncture instruction after finding
acupuncture students to be great resources. "I'll be able to refer
my patients for acupuncture treatment because of the knowledge I
now have."
Postprofessional Programs
After graduation, students may pursue a number of postprofessional
programs such as our master's and residency programs or a wide
variety of continuing education classes. Additionally, students may
pursue specific courses and programs while completing their first
professional program. (Students must meet prerequisite requirements
and attain approval from the Dean of Lincoln College prior to
entry.)
Advanced Scholars Program
Qualified undergraduate students from Ball State University,
Elmhurst University, South Dakota State University, St. Petersburg
College or the NUHS bachelor of science
program, can earn a BS degree and a DC degree in less time and at
less cost through our Advanced Scholars Program.
The first year in the DC program will count toward both degrees,
giving students the chance to finish both a BS and DC degree in 6.5
years.
DC MPH Coordinated Degree Program
Students pursuing a DC degree, have the opportunity to pursue a Master of Public Health degree
or Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Research
from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Through a
coordinated program, students are able to utilize some of their
NUHS coursework to shorten the length of the MPH program. Students
must be accepted separately into the DC program at National
University and the MPH and MS CTS programs at UIC.
Dana Madigan - DC/MPH Graduate
Dana researched access to chiropractic care in the country of
Ghana, and presented her research at the American Public Health
Association. Dana was also the first DC student selected for the
Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, and the first
graduate of the coordinated DC/MPH degree program.