Palmer College of Chiropractic

Academic Programs

Bachelor Of Science Degree Program

The Bachelor of Science degree in General Science from Palmer College is offered in conjunction with the Doctor of Chiropractic curriculum or can be started before acceptance into the D.C. program. The degree is earned by completing 32 semester hours of basic science courses in the D.C. program and 90 semester hours of elective undergraduate courses, completed through Undergraduate Studies or transfer credit.

History

The Bachelor of Science degree program began as the Division of Liberal Arts in 1962, designed to accommodate the rising requirements for two years of prerequisite courses completed for licensure by various states. In 1965, Palmer Junior College was formed to provide for the expansion of educational opportunities on the Palmer College of Chiropractic campus. The first candidates to receive B.S. degrees from Palmer College were at the June 1966 graduation exercises. From the fall of 1975 to 1983, a cooperative program was held between St. Ambrose College and Palmer College. The B.S. degree was accredited with the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in 1983. Starting with the matriculating class in October 1983, Palmer College again instituted its own B.S. degree program that continues today.

Selection of Candidates

Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale from the previous educational institution attended.

Application Procedure

Each of the following forms must be completed and fees paid to the Business Office of
Palmer College:

1. Application for Admission
   • Pay $150 fee ($100 evaluation fee and $50 application fee).
   • Complete application for official acceptance as a candidate for the B.S. degree program. (Admittance is approved by the Undergraduate Council).
   • Attach unofficial or official copies of transcripts to application.
   • To ensure concurrent graduation, it is strongly recommended that application to the B.S. degree program is completed prior to the start of the fourth trimester of the D.C. program.
2. Intent to Graduate
   • Pay $100 graduation and records fee.
   • Complete Intent to Graduate form for final approval of the B.S. degree.
   • To ensure concurrent graduation, the intent to graduate form must be completed no later than the end of ninth trimester of the D.C. program. (Note: Students are allowed one year after their D.C. graduation to complete all requirements.)

Program Requirements

The degree requires that students complete a minimum of 90 semester hours leading toward a Bachelor’s degree outside of the Doctor of Chiropractic curriculum. Undergraduate courses are offered on the Palmer campus to meet credit requirements for the Bachelor’s degree. This degree is conferred simultaneously with, but independently from, the doctoral degree in chiropractic. The Bachelor’s degree can be awarded concurrently with the D.C. degree or up to one year prior to or after completion of the program. The minimum program requirements are 122 total semester (credit) hours:

• A minimum of 32 credit hours of courses must be completed at Palmer College of Chiropractic.
• A minimum of 30 credit hours must be junior/senior (300/400) level courses.
• A minimum of 60 credit hours must be (100/200) freshman/sophomore level courses.

Other program information:

• No grade below a “C” will be accepted toward the B.S. degree.
• Up to 15 semester hours may be granted from course work in vocational/technical programs (transferable as freshman/sophomore level courses).
• Up to 20 semester hours of CLEP (College Level Examination Program) may be granted (transferable as freshman/sophomore level courses).
• Up to 35 semester hours may be applied from a previous undergraduate degree.
• The minimum distribution requirements of subjects by semester hours are as follows:
• Natural and Physical Sciences—24 semester hours. Includes biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, geology, astronomy and nutrition.
• Humanities—Six (6) semester hours. Includes literature, history, philosophy, art, theater, music, religion and physical education.
• Social and Behavioral Sciences—Nine (9) semester hours. Includes psychology, sociology, political science, business, economics, geography, anthropology and computer science.
• Communication and Languages—Nine (9) semester hours. Includes classical languages, foreign languages, English, communication and speech communication.

Undergraduate courses which do not fall into the categories listed above will be classified at the discretion of the Undergraduate Council.

Undergraduate courses at the junior/senior level are offered on the Palmer College campus on the same trimester system as the Doctor of Chiropractic courses. These courses are taught by Palmer faculty and staff, and structured to complement the Doctor of Chiropractic class schedule. Registration for Bachelor’s degree courses is held during the same time as registration for Doctor of Chiropractic courses.

Residency Requirement

Candidates for the B.S. degree must complete their last academic year at Palmer College of Chiropractic in order to be awarded the degree. Also, alumni more than one year out of Palmer must complete 24 credit hours on Palmer’s campus.

Contact: Annette VenHorst

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