Admissions Requirements
As a future chiropractor, your opportunities are limitless. Palmer College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Palmer’s doctor of chiropractic program is professionally accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education.
While each prospective student is considered on an individual basis, we have prerequisites that all students must meet.
To be eligible for admission, you must meet one of the requirements listed below:
Complete a baccalaureate degree; or
Completed 90 semester credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale; or
Completed 90 semester credits including a minimum of 24 semester credits in life and physical science courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 to 2.99.
If you met requirements 1 or 2, we strongly recommend 24 science credits, including chemistry and anatomy.
Our admissions counselors would like the opportunity to discuss your qualifications to help you make an informed decision about attending Palmer College. Contact an Admissions Counselor or apply today.
Requirement Details
Doctor of Chiropractic Program
To apply for admission, you must meet one of the requirements listed below:
- Complete a baccalaureate degree; or
- Completed 90 semester credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale; or
- Completed 90 semester credits including a minimum of 24 semester credits in life and physical science courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 to 2.99.
*Strongly recommend all applicants to complete 24 science credits, including chemistry and anatomy.
In addition:
- Official transcript and favorable background check review
- A well-rounded general education includes required coursework in life and physical sciences; humanities; social and behavioral sciences; and communications and languages. Coursework in each of these domains may include:
- Life sciences
- Biology (human anatomy, physiology, embryology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, cellular biology, exercise physiology, kinesiology)
- Chemistry (general chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology/pharmacology and nuclear medicine)
- Physical sciences: physics, biomechanics, statistics
- Humanities: literature, history, philosophy, art, theater, music, religion, physical education
- Social and Behavioral Sciences: psychology, sociology, political science, business, economics, geography, anthropology, computer science
- Communication and Languages: oral communication, written communication, digital communication, foreign languages
- Life sciences
How admissions guidelines are determined
The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) sets the above admissions guidelines. The CCE is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education for the accreditation of programs and institutions offering the Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Palmer also is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Bachelor of Science in general science – Main Campus
At Palmer College of Chiropractic, you can finish your Bachelor’s degree while working toward your Doctor of Chiropractic degree.
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in General Science completion degree complements the D.C. degree. Your B.S. degree coursework will help to build a solid foundation for your future as a chiropractor.
Admissions requirements:
- Must have an equivalent of 45 college-level semester credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Must have applied to the Doctor of Chiropractic Program
Degree completion requirements:
120 credit hours which includes:
- 90 credit hours of undergraduate courses from an institution or institutions accredited at the college level by an accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
- 60 credit hours freshman/sophomore level
- 30 credit hours junior/senior level
- No grade below a “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) will be accepted
- 30 credit hours of basic science courses taken in the Palmer D.C. program are applied towards the bachelor’s degree
Up to 15 credit hours may be granted from coursework in vocational/technical programs (transferable as freshman/sophomore level courses).
Up to 20 credit hours of College Level Examination Program credit may be granted (transferable as freshman/sophomore level courses).
Credit hours at a glance
These are the minimum hours you must take by category:
- Natural and Physical Sciences (24 credit hours) such as: biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology, geology, and nutrition.
- Humanities (6 credit hours) such as: literature, history, philosophy, art, theater, music, religion and physical education.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 credit hours) Includes psychology, sociology, political science, business, economics, geography, anthropology and computer science.
- Communication and Languages – 9 credit hours. Includes classical languages, foreign languages, English, communication and speech communication.
- Mathematics – 3 credit hours. Includes algebra, physics, statistics, applied math and calculus.
Other types of courses will be reviewed and considered for credit by the Undergraduate Program Oversight Committee.
To learn more please contact the Undergraduate Studies Program by email or call 563-884-5867.
Technical Standards
The College prepares students to become competent, caring Doctors of Chiropractic who serve as primary care providers for the prevention, diagnosis and conservative management of health conditions. The academic, clinical, social and personal preparation for the practice of chiropractic requires both mental and physical abilities.
There are certain abilities and characteristics which are defined as Technical Standards. Those standards, in conjunction with academic standards, are requirements for admission, promotion and graduation. Although these standards serve to focus upon the necessary physical and mental abilities of all students, they are not intended to deter any student for whom reasonable accommodation will allow the fulfillment of the complete curriculum.
View the Technical, Academic & Professional Standards (PDF)
*Students applying to Palmer Florida must have earned a Bachelor’s degree before the anticipated start date.
