Introduction to Pre-Chiropractic

What is Pre-Chiropractic?

Pre-chiropractic refers to the undergraduate coursework and preparation required before applying to and attending chiropractic school. Similar to pre-medical or pre-dental programs, pre-chiropractic is not a formal degree—it's a set of science-based prerequisites that chiropractic colleges require for admission.

Unlike medical school, there is no standardized application system like AMCAS for chiropractic. Each school has its own application process, but all 18 accredited chiropractic colleges in North America require similar foundational science courses. Your job as a pre-chiropractic student is to complete these courses, maintain a strong GPA, gain clinical experience, and build a compelling application story.

The good news: you can complete pre-chiropractic requirements while pursuing any undergraduate major. Many students major in biology, chemistry, exercise science, or health sciences, but you could also major in business, psychology, or liberal arts while completing the science prerequisites on the side.

Core Requirements Overview

All 18 accredited chiropractic schools require similar foundational science courses. Here's what you need to know:

Standard Prerequisite Courses

• Biology (1 year) — Lecture and lab. Usually General Biology or Biology for Health Professions.
• Chemistry (2 years) — General Chemistry (1 year) and Organic Chemistry (1 year), both with labs.
• Physics (1 year) — General Physics or Physics for Health Professions, with lab.
• Biochemistry (1 semester) — Often taken after organic chemistry.
• Anatomy & Physiology (1 year) — Human anatomy and physiology, usually with lab.
• Microbiology (1 semester) — General microbiology, usually with lab.
• Psychology (1-2 courses) — General psychology and sometimes abnormal or health psychology.
• English/Communication (2 courses) — Writing and communication skills.
• Humanities/Social Sciences (variable) — Electives in history, philosophy, sociology, or similar fields.

GPA Requirements

Most chiropractic schools require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75-3.0 and a science GPA of 3.0+. Competitive applicants typically have GPAs of 3.3 or higher. Your science GPA is calculated from all your science courses (biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry) and is weighted more heavily by admissions committees.

Prerequisite Course Quality

Not all prerequisite courses are created equal. Chiropractic schools care about:

• Accreditation — Your college or university must be regionally accredited. Online prerequisites from unaccredited institutions won't count.
• Lab components — Most science courses must include a laboratory component. Lecture-only courses may not fulfill requirements.
• Recency — Prerequisites should ideally be completed within 7 years of your chiropractic school application. Some schools are stricter than others.
• Grade requirements — Some schools won't accept prerequisite courses if you earned below a C or C+.

Your First Steps to Take

If you're just starting your pre-chiropractic journey, here's exactly what to do right now:

Step 1: Assess Your Current Position

Are you a high school student, current college student, or career changer? Your situation determines your timeline and strategy. High school students have flexibility to choose their major and plan carefully. College students need to audit their transcript and identify which prerequisites they've already completed. Career changers may need to go back to school specifically for prerequisites.

Step 2: Research Your Target Schools

Visit the websites of 3-5 chiropractic schools you're genuinely interested in attending. Download their admission requirements documents. Make a spreadsheet comparing their prerequisite requirements, GPA standards, and application deadlines. This prevents you from taking unnecessary courses later.

Step 3: Meet With an Academic Advisor

Schedule a meeting with an academic advisor at your college or university. Tell them you're pursuing pre-chiropractic education. Unfortunately, most pre-health offices focus on pre-med and pre-dental, so you may need to educate your advisor about chiropractic requirements. Bring your research from Step 2 to the meeting.

Step 4: Create a Course Plan

Work with your advisor to map out which semesters you'll take each prerequisite course. Consider:

• Course difficulty — Don't take organic chemistry and physics in the same semester if you can avoid it.
• Your workload — Balance prerequisites with your major coursework.
• Lab schedules — Science labs often meet at fixed times; plan accordingly.
• Course sequencing — Some courses require prerequisites (e.g., organic chemistry requires general chemistry).

Step 5: Start Building Your Application Foundation

Even before taking prerequisites, begin building the other components of a strong application:

• Gain clinical experience — Shadow or volunteer at a chiropractic clinic. Admissions committees want to see you've experienced the profession firsthand.
• Maintain a strong GPA — Your first semester matters. Start strong in all courses.
• Develop relationships with professors — You'll need letters of recommendation from science professors later.
• Join relevant clubs — Pre-health clubs, chiropractic student organizations, or health science clubs show commitment.

Prerequisite Courses Explained

Biology & General Science

Most pre-chiropractic students start with General Biology. This course covers cellular biology, genetics, evolution, and ecology. The lab component includes microscopy, dissection, and experimental work. You'll need strong fundamentals here because biology concepts build into anatomy, physiology, and microbiology.

Timeline: Usually taken freshman year. Difficulty: Moderate. Why it matters: Foundation for all other life sciences.

General Chemistry

General Chemistry covers atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, and basic reactions. It's abstract and mathematical. Many students find it challenging because it requires thinking in ways different from high school chemistry. The lab involves hands-on experiments, measurements, and data analysis.

Timeline: Usually freshman or sophomore year. Difficulty: High. Why it matters: Required for organic chemistry and biochemistry.

Organic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry focuses on carbon-containing compounds, reaction mechanisms, and synthesis. It's notoriously difficult and is often the "weeder" course that separates committed pre-health students from casual ones. However, it's essential because biochemistry (the study of molecules in living systems) is essentially applied organic chemistry.

Timeline: Usually sophomore year. Difficulty: Very high. Why it matters: Essential for biochemistry and understanding drug mechanisms in chiropractic practice.

Physics

Physics covers mechanics, waves, electricity, magnetism, and light. It teaches you to think about forces, motion, and energy—concepts central to chiropractic adjustment mechanics. The lab includes experiments with pendulums, circuits, optics, and more.

Timeline: Usually sophomore year. Difficulty: High. Why it matters: Directly relevant to chiropractic biomechanics.

Anatomy & Physiology

This is your deep dive into human body systems. You'll study the skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, digestive system, and more. The lab includes dissection, models, and microscopy. This course is especially important for chiropractic because you'll spend years studying the musculoskeletal system in detail.

Timeline: Usually sophomore or junior year. Difficulty: Moderate to high (high volume of information). Why it matters: Central to chiropractic practice.

Biochemistry

Biochemistry applies organic chemistry to living systems. You'll study metabolic pathways, protein synthesis, enzyme kinetics, and cellular energy production. It's challenging but more clinically relevant than general organic chemistry.

Timeline: Usually junior year. Difficulty: High. Why it matters: Helps you understand how the body works at a molecular level.

Microbiology

Microbiology covers bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites—their structure, reproduction, and pathogenicity. The lab includes culturing microorganisms, staining, and identification. This course is important for understanding infection control and disease transmission.

Timeline: Usually junior year. Difficulty: Moderate. Why it matters: Infection control is critical in chiropractic practice.

Psychology

Most schools require at least one psychology course (usually general psychology) and sometimes a second course in health psychology, abnormal psychology, or research methods. Psychology helps you understand patient behavior, communication, and mental health—all important in clinical practice.

Timeline: Can be taken anytime. Difficulty: Low to moderate. Why it matters: Develops patient care and communication skills.

Timeline & Expectations

If You're Starting in High School

Years 1-2 (Freshman/Sophomore): Take general biology and general chemistry. Maintain a strong GPA. Join health-related clubs. Start shadowing chiropractors if possible.

Years 3-4 (Junior/Senior): Complete organic chemistry, physics, anatomy & physiology, and microbiology. Deepen your clinical experience. Build relationships with science professors for recommendation letters. Research chiropractic schools.

Post-High School (Gap Year or Immediately): If you haven't completed all prerequisites, finish them during a gap year or first year of college. Apply to chiropractic schools once prerequisites are complete (usually junior or senior year of college, or the year after graduation).

If You're a Current College Student

Immediate: Audit your transcript. Identify which prerequisites you've completed and which remain. Meet with an advisor to create a completion plan.

Next 1-2 Years: Complete remaining prerequisites while maintaining your current major coursework. Gain clinical experience through volunteering or shadowing. Build relationships with professors.

Application Year: Once prerequisites are complete, you can apply to chiropractic schools. Most students apply during their senior year or the year after graduation.

If You're a Career Changer

Assessment: Determine which prerequisites you've already completed (many career changers have some science background). Identify gaps.

Planning: Decide whether to return to college full-time, take courses part-time while working, or use online prerequisites (if your target schools accept them).

Timeline: Career changers typically need 1-3 years to complete prerequisites, depending on their starting point and pace. Some schools offer accelerated post-bacc programs specifically for career changers.

Realistic Expectations

Pre-chiropractic coursework is rigorous. Science prerequisites require significant time investment outside of class for studying, lab reports, and exam preparation. Plan to spend 2-3 hours studying for every hour in class. Expect to take 12-16 credit hours per semester if you're a full-time student completing prerequisites plus your major. Balance is important—burning out before chiropractic school helps no one.

Tips for Success

Master the Fundamentals Early

General biology and general chemistry are foundational. If you struggle in these courses, later courses will be exponentially harder. Don't rush through them. If you earn a C in general chemistry, consider retaking it to strengthen your foundation before tackling organic chemistry.

Build Strong Study Habits

Science prerequisites reward consistent, active studying. Passive reading doesn't work. Use active recall (testing yourself), spaced repetition (reviewing material over time), and practice problems. Form study groups with classmates. Attend office hours regularly.

Utilize Campus Resources

Your college likely offers free tutoring, writing centers, and study skills workshops. Use them. These resources are paid for by your tuition—take advantage.

Choose Your Professors Wisely

When you have multiple sections of a prerequisite course, ask upperclassmen which professors are best. Rate My Professors is helpful but not definitive. A slightly harder professor with clear expectations often beats an easy professor with poor teaching.

Gain Clinical Experience Early

Don't wait until senior year to shadow a chiropractor. Start freshman or sophomore year. This experience informs whether chiropractic is really for you and strengthens your application. Most chiropractic schools want to see 50+ hours of clinical observation.

Maintain Work-Life Balance

Science prerequisites are challenging, but they're not the only thing in your life. Exercise, sleep, social connections, and mental health matter. Students who maintain balance perform better academically than those who burn out.

Track Your GPA Carefully

Know your cumulative GPA and your science GPA. Many admissions committees use science GPA as a cutoff. If your science GPA is below 3.0, consider retaking courses with lower grades to improve it.

Build Relationships with Professors

Attend office hours. Ask thoughtful questions. Show genuine interest in the subject. Professors write recommendation letters for students they know and like. Strong letters are crucial for competitive applications.

Common Questions Answered

Do I need to major in a science?

No. You can major in anything while completing pre-chiropractic prerequisites. Many successful chiropractic students majored in business, psychology, kinesiology, or liberal arts. Your major should align with your interests and strengths. The prerequisites matter more than the major.

Can I take prerequisites online?

This depends on your target schools. Some schools accept online prerequisites from accredited universities (like University of Florida or Penn State World Campus). Others require in-person labs. Check with your target schools before enrolling in online courses. Be cautious—many schools are stricter about online prerequisites than they were pre-pandemic.

What if I earned a low grade in a prerequisite course?

You have options. First, check if your target schools have a minimum grade requirement (many require C+ or better). If you earned below that, you must retake the course. Even if you met the minimum, consider retaking courses where you earned C or C+ to strengthen your science GPA. Admissions committees see all attempts; retakes show commitment to improvement.

How long do prerequisites take?

If you're starting from scratch as a full-time student taking prerequisites plus a major, expect 2-4 years. If you're a career changer taking only prerequisites, 1-2 years is typical. Some students complete prerequisites in 18 months through intensive scheduling; others take 4+ years while working. Your pace depends on your situation.

What's the difference between pre-chiropractic and pre-medical prerequisites?

They're very similar. Both require chemistry, biology, physics, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and psychology. Pre-medical typically requires more upper-level science courses and sometimes biochemistry or molecular biology. Pre-chiropractic focuses more on anatomy and physiology. If you're undecided between medicine and chiropractic, you can complete pre-medical prerequisites and apply to both.

Do I need a 4.0 GPA to get into chiropractic school?

No. The average accepted student has a GPA around 3.3-3.5. A 3.5+ GPA is competitive. A 3.0+ is acceptable if other parts of your application are strong (clinical experience, meaningful personal statement, strong letters of recommendation). Focus on doing your best, not achieving perfection.

What if I'm struggling with prerequisites?

First, seek help immediately. Talk to your professor, visit tutoring, form a study group. Second, consider your pace—maybe you're taking too many courses at once. Third, reflect honestly—is chiropractic right for you? Struggling with prerequisites is normal, but if you hate the material and find no joy in science, chiropractic might not be the right fit. That's valuable information.

Next Steps & Resources

Immediate Actions (This Week)

1. Visit the websites of 3-5 chiropractic schools you're interested in.
2. Download their admission requirements and prerequisite lists.
3. Create a spreadsheet comparing their requirements.
4. Schedule a meeting with an academic advisor at your college.
5. Identify your first prerequisite course to take (if you haven't already).

Short-Term Actions (Next 1-3 Months)

1. Enroll in your first prerequisite course.
2. Research chiropractic clinics in your area and reach out about shadowing opportunities.
3. Join a pre-health or chiropractic student organization at your school.
4. Read our complete guide to becoming a chiropractor for deeper context.
5. Explore detailed profiles of all 18 accredited chiropractic schools.

Long-Term Actions (Next 1-2 Years)

1. Complete all prerequisite courses with strong grades.
2. Accumulate 100+ hours of clinical experience through shadowing and volunteering.
3. Build relationships with 3-4 science professors for recommendation letters.
4. Take the Chiropractic Aptitude Test (CAT) if required by your target schools.
5. Prepare your personal statement and application materials.
6. Apply to chiropractic schools.

Resources to Explore

• Pre-Chiropractic Student Guide — Year-by-year timeline and action items for college students.
• Compare All 18 Chiropractic Schools — Detailed profiles, tuition, philosophy, and graduate reviews.
• How to Become a Chiropractor — Complete pathway from prerequisites through practice.
• Career Change to Chiropractic — Specific guidance for professionals switching careers.
• ChiroTrack Blog — Articles on school reviews, salary data, clinical experience, and more.

You're Ready to Begin

Starting your pre-chiropractic journey is exciting and achievable. You now understand what pre-chiropractic means, what courses you need, what to expect, and how to succeed. The path is clear, it's just a matter of taking the first step.

Remember: you don't need to be perfect. You need to be committed, consistent, and willing to ask for help when you need it. Thousands of students have walked this path before you and succeeded. You can too.

Ready to go deeper? Explore our detailed pre-chiropractic student guide or compare all 18 accredited chiropractic schools to see where your journey might lead.