Overview

The Doctor of Chiropractic Program (DCP) leads to a doctoral level professional degree. The chiropractic curriculum emphasizes the development of chiropractic skills in diagnosis and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal conditions and the application of research methodologies in an integrative evidence-informed practice model. While utilizing the latest technology, our skilled and experienced faculty work alongside students through didactic and online lectures, clinical skills, labs, and diverse internship rotations over a period of 10 terms. In preparation for success as part of a collaborative healthcare team, students participate in the cutting edge Interprofessional Education and Simulation Center, gaining exposure to emulated, realistic patient scenarios in the safety of a controlled environment. The internship and preceptorship experiences include approximately 30-35 hours per week at a variety of clinical settings including, but not limited to, the D’Youville campus clinic, Health Professions Hub, and integrative private practices. Preceptorships are offered in the last term to supplement the clinical education, during which students gain further practical experience across a wide offering of practice environments.

Pre-Chiropractic Pathways for D’Youville Undergraduate Students

D’Youville University offers several undergraduate pathways to the Chiropractic program graduate program. Two of the most popular pathways are listed below.

B.S. in Exercise and Sports Studies (Health Professions Track for Pre-Chiropractic students)

Students interested in chiropractic matriculate into the sequential-degree program (B.S. in ESS + Doctor of Chiropractic [D.C.] program). Entering freshmen matriculate into and complete a B.S. in ESS under the administration of the ESS department. Students choosing the ESS + DC track intimately study the basic sciences (chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology) in addition to the exercise sciences in preparation for the chiropractic graduate program.

Exercise and Sports Studies B.S. < D'Youville University (dyouville.edu)

B.S./B.A. Biology (6.5-7.5 year tracks)

Start as a freshman and become a chiropractor in 6.5 to 7.5 years (depending on track) with our B.S. or B.A. in Biology programs. Students will complete their B.S. or B.A. in biology and move directly into the graduate chiropractic program provided they complete all Chiropractic program prerequisites at a grade of C or better and continue to meet all graduate admissions standards. Refer to the Chiropractic program section for further details.

Biology B.S. < D'Youville University (dyouville.edu)

Program Mission Statement

The Chiropractic Program of D'Youville, through quality academics, research, scholarship and service, prepares future and existing doctors of chiropractic as primary health care practitioners  and spinal specialists, and for a significant role among the health professions.

Vision Statement

The D'Youville Chiropractic Program faculty, students, and alumni are actively engaged with the chiropractic profession and the wider world, influencing both through education, research, and service. As a result, members of the chiropractic profession are respected partners with all other health care professions in the delivery of direct services to patients, the implementation and development of patient-centered best practice protocols, and the use of integrative clinical management strategies that improve health outcomes.

Strategic Intent

The Chiropractic Program at D'Youville will be a recognized center of academic and clinical excellence in chiropractic education, practice, and research, and the first choice for chiropractic students both nationally and internationally.

The Chiropractic Program adheres to the core values and principles of D'Youville University. In addition, we bring forward the following values as having particular importance to the department:

Core Values

• Evidence-based best practice is at the center of what the department teaches, and is the foundation of our research.
• Social responsibility is important to the profession and is demonstrated by contributing to the health and well-being of patients, the community, and at-risk populations through advocacy, education, volunteerism, and service.
• Continuous quality improvement is the means to discovering best practices and providing the very best clinical and teaching outcomes.
• Collaboration with other departments and health professions is beneficial within the context of our mission and is fundamental to achieving our goals.

Accreditation

The program is approved by the New York Board of Regents and is registered with the New York State Education Department. The Doctor of Chiropractic degree program at D'Youville University has been awarded full, eight-year programmatic accreditation by the:

Council on Chiropractic Education 
8049 North 85th Way 
Scottsdale, AZ, 85258-4321 
Tel: (480) 433-8877 
Website: http://www.cce-usa.org

Individuals with concerns about compliance of the program with the CCE Standards should be directed to the CCE at the above address. Students who successfully complete the Doctor of Chiropractic Program are eligible to sit for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) and the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB) licensure examinations.

Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) Licensure

Students should be aware that graduation from an academic program does not guarantee licensure, registration, and/ or board certification for entry into practice. It is the student's responsibility to check with the state licensure board in the jurisdiction(s) in which they wish to practice for any additional requirements that must be met for licensure in that state, and to meet those requirements if they desire to obtain licensure to practice in that state. For a complete list of individual state requirements please see http://www.fclb.org.

Graduates who pass the NBCE examinations may apply for licensure in all states. Students are advised that some states may have additional or special requirements that must be met to obtain licensure in that state. Individual state requirements for chiropractic licensure are subject to change. New York State requires specific undergraduate courses and green card/citizenship to qualify for New York State licensure. Please see http://www.nysed.gov for specifics.

Required Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
BIO-530L	Musculoskeletal Anatomy Lab	1
BIO-511	Histology I	1
BIO-535	Embryology	1
BIO-659	Advanced Physiology I	3
BIO-608	Microbiology	3
BIO-608L	Microbiology Lab	1
BIO-620	Cranioaxial Anatomy	3
BIO-620L	Cranioaxial Anatomy Lab	1
BIO-660	Advanced Physiology II	3
BIO-609	Microbiology II	2
BIO-512	Histology II	1
BIO-639	Human Gross Anatomy	6
BIO-639L	Human Gross Anatomy Lab	0
BIO-639XD	Human Gross Anatomy Extra Disection Lab	0
BIO-604	Biochemistry II	2
BIO-603	Biochemistry	3
BIO-603L	Biochemistry Lab	1
BIO-615	Endocrinology	2
BIO-650	Pathology I: Basics of Pathology	3
BIO-651	Pathology II: Systems Pathology	3
HP-203	Medical Terminology	1
NTR-610	Nutrition and Health	3
NTR-611	Life Cycle Nutrition	3
CHR-740	Public Health	2
CHR-741	Chiropractic Principles: A Historical Foundation	1
CHR-742	Chiropractic Practice: Science of Chiropractic Theories	1
CHR-721	Evaluation and Management of Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat Conditions	2
CHR-721L	Evaluation and Management of Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat Conditions Lab	1
CHR-715	Passive Rehabilitation Care	2
CHR-715L	Passive Rehabilitation Care Lab	1
CHR-711	NMS II Cervical and Thoracic Conditions	2
CHR-711L	NMS II Cervical and Thoracic Lab	0.5
CHR-716	Active Rehabilitation of the Spine	1.5
CHR-716L	Active Rehabilitation Spine Care Lab	2
CHR-722	Evaluation and Management of Cardiorespiratory Conditions	2
CHR-722L	Evaluation and Management of Cardiorespiratory Conditions Lab	0.5
CHR-723	Evaluation and Management of Neurological Conditions Capstone	3.5
CHR-723L	Evaluation and Management of Clinical Neurologic Conditions Capstone Lab	1.5
CHR-712	NMS III Extremity Conditions	2
CHR-712L	NMS III Extremity Conditions Lab	0.5
CHR-705L	Upper Extremity Technique Lab	1
CHR-706L	Cervical Technique Lab	1.5
CHR-717	Active Rehabilitation Care Extremities	2
CHR-717L	Active Rehabilitation Care Extremities Lab	1
CHR-724	Evaluation and Management: Emergency Procedures	1
CHR-724L	Evaluation and Management: Emergency Procedures Lab	1
CHR-703L	Lumbopelvic Technique Lab	1
CHR-704L	Lower Extremity Technique Lab	0.5
CHR-709L	Motion Palpation Extremity Lab	0.5
CHR-710	NMS I Lumbopelvic Conditions	1
CHR-710L	NMS I Lumbopelvic Lab	0.5
CHR-713L	Soft Tissue Technique Lab	0.5
CHR-736	Clinical Neurology II Central Nervous System	4
CHR-736L	Clinical Neurology II Central Nervous System Lab	1
CHR-707L	Flexion Distraction Technique Lab	1
CHR-702L	Thoracic Technique Lab	1
CHR-700L	Static Palpation Lab	1
CHR-701L	Spinal Motion Palpation Lab	0.5
CHR-720L	Evaluation and Management History and Physical Exam Lab	1
CHR-735	Clinical Neurology I Spine and PNS	4
CHR-735L	Clinical Neurology I Spine and PNS Lab	1
CHR-661	Diagnostic Imaging I	3
CHR-661L	Diagnostic Imaging Lab	0.5
CHR-631	Biomechanics	3
CHR-649L	Psychomotor Skills Lab	0.5
CHR-671L	EIP 1: Information Literacy Lab	1
CHR-743	Science of Chiropractic Clinical Applications	1
CHR-672	EIP II Resh Meth Design & Stats Intp	3
CHR-662	Diagnostic Imaging II	4
CHR-662L	Diagnostic Imaging II Lab	2
CHR-628	Evaluation and Management of Dermatologic Conditions	2
CHR-670	Professional Communications	2
CHR-665	Diagnostic Imaging V	2
CHR-665L	Diagnostic Imaging V Lab	1
CHR-673	EIP III: Chiro Prin: Evid Inform Pract	3
CHR-674L	EIP Iv: Journal Club Seminar	1
CHR-663	Diagnostic Imaging III	4
CHR-663L	Diagnostic Imaging III Lab	2
CHR-725	Evaluation and Management of Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Conditions	2
CHR-725L	Evaluation and Management of Gastro/Intestinal and Genital/Urinary Conditions Lab	0.5
CHR-732	Professional Development II: Billing & Coding	3
CHR-750	Student Clinic	3
CHR-751	Clinical Internship I	10
CHR-752	Clinical Internship II	10
CHR-753	Clinical Internship III	10
CHR-729	Evaluation and Management of Athletic Injuries	2
CHR-737	Pharmacology	4
CHR-664	Diagnostic Imaging IV	4
CHR-664L	Diagnostic Imaging IV Lab	2
CHR-633	Clinical Nutrition	2
CHR-638	Psychology for Health Care Professionals	3
CHR-726	Evaluation and Management of Obstetrics and Gynecology	2
CHR-726L	Evaluation and Management of Obstetrics and Gynecological Conditions Lab	0.5
CHR-730	Evaluation and Management Capstone	2
CHR-730L	Evaluation and Management Capstone Lab	1
CHR-646	Geriatric & Special Needs Populations	2
CHR-677	EIP V: Evidence-Informed NMS Clinical Management Capstone Lecture	3
CHR-677L	Evidence Informed Practice V: NMS Case Management Capstone Lab	0.5
CHR-731	Professional Development I: Ethics & Law	1
CHR-727	Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Conditions	2
CHR-733	Professional Development III: Starting a Chiropractic Practice	2
CHR-734	Professional Development IV Managing a Chiropractic Practice Capstone	2
Total Credits		207.5

Academic Regulations

Good Academic Standing

To be in good academic standing for the Doctor of Chiropractic program, student must meet following standards:

• A cumulative graduate quality point average (CQPA) at a 2.5 or above
• Individual class grades at C or above or a satisfactory (S)
• A course may be repeated one time only

Academic Probation

Failure to meet the requirements for good academic standing will result in the student being placed on academic probation.

While on academic probation, if a student fails to achieve the 2.5 CQPA or above, or receives a grade below a C or unsatisfactory grade (U) in another course, the student will be placed on academic probation for an additional term.

Dismissal

Students will be dismissed from the chiropractic program for the following:

1. Failure to raise cumulative graduate G.P.A. of 2.50 or higher on all Doctor of Chiropractic curriculum courses by the end of the designated probationary period.

2.Receiving a failing grade (C-  or lower or U) in a repeated course.

3. Unsatisfactory Professional and Personal Behavior

Students may be dismissed from the chiropractic program for the following:

1. Receiving a failing grade (C-  or lower or U) three or more times in the same semester.

2. Receives four or more failing grades (C-  or lower or U) over the course of the program.

3.  Withdraws from more than three classes (other than in the case of an approved leave of absence) over the course of the program.

Disclaimer

Due to the continuing development of policies and curriculum for the department of chiropractic at the printing of this catalog: the chiropractic program reserves the right to change and enforce said policies and curriculum post publication of this catalog. Students should contact the executive director of chiropractic program for the most up to date information concerning the program and its policies.

Appeals

To appeal a decision rendered by the School of Health Professions faculty/administration that has academic consequences, the student must follow the appeal procedures which are available at https://www.dyu.edu/academics/academic-resources/academic-appeal-procedure.

Admission Requirements

The Doctor of Chiropractic Program (DCP) admits students whose goals, abilities, and character are consistent with the DCP's mission, and who have completed a baccalaureate degree at an institution(s) accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or an equivalent foreign agency. The overall GPA minimum requirement for admittance to the DPC must be a 2.50 /4.0. 

Ninety (90) hours will include a minimum of 24 semester hours in life and physical science courses, of which 12 semester hours must include laboratory course work. This 24 credit hours may include, but not be limited to, courses in general biology, human anatomy, physiology, general chemistry, biochemistry, physics, biomechanics, and kinesiology. These science courses will provide an adequate background for success in the DCP. The student's undergraduate preparation also includes a well-rounded general education program in the humanities and social sciences, and other coursework deemed relevant by the DCP for students to successfully complete the DCP curriculum. The minimum GPA for these 90 hours must be no less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

A life science includes any branch of science that studies living organisms, their organization, life processes, and relationships to their environment. This would include areas of study such as, biology, ecology, medicine, anthropology, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and other similar areas of study. A physical science includes any branch of science that studies the nature and properties of energy and nonliving matter. This would include areas of study such as, physics, chemistry, astronomy, mathematics, statistics, and geology. Included in the list of acceptable science classes are those that combine these areas of study such as kinesiology, exercise science, and biomechanics.

Applicants may be offered a conditional admittance in the case where the bachelor's degree will be completed prior to enrollment, or the student is enrolled in required pre-requisite courses. Students who have prior graduate-level coursework must demonstrate a minimum 2.5 graduate GPA to be considered for admission into the DCP. Students who have been dismissed from a chiropractic program, including D'Youville's Doctor of Chiropractic Program, will not be considered for admission to the DCP.

Students who wish to enroll in D'Youville's Doctor of Chiropractic program must present the following:

• A completed bachelor's degree at an accredited institution.
• GRE scores (if available)
• International/foreign students (other than Canadian) whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL test scores.
• Letter of formal recommendation sent to the Graduate Admissions Office. (One letter of recommendation is required, two letters are preferred.)
• Official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended.
• International applicants must submit their transcripts to the World Education Service (WES) for a course by course evaluation.
• Successful applicants will demonstrate the ability to perform well in a rigorous course of study and possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Possible personal interview with chiropractic faculty at the discretion of the department.

Students Admitted to the D.C.P. From International Institutions

Each student admitted to begin the DCP on the basis of academic credentials from institutions outside the United States must meet the following requirements:

1. Provide evidence of proficiency in reading and writing in the English language and an understanding of oral communication in English.
2. Demonstrate academic preparation equivalent to that possessed by beginning students admitted from United States institutions.
3. Provide evidence of proficiency in the subject matter of each course for which credits are accepted.
4. Provide evidence of having financial resources sufficient to complete at least one full year of full­ time attendance in the DCP.
5. Meet all applicable legal requirements for study in the United States.

Transfer Policies

Students transferring credits applicable to the DCP must meet the following requirements:

1. The applicant for transfer from another Doctor of Chiropractic program must meet the prerequisite admissions requirements detailed above.
2. Credits considered for transfer must have been awarded for graduate-level courses offered by an institution which is recognized by a national accrediting agency.
3. Only credits recorded on an official transcript of the issuing institution with an equivalent grade of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale or better will be considered for transfer credits. Courses recording a grade of "pass", "satisfactory", or equivalent will not be considered for transfer credit.
4. Credits accepted for transfer must be determined to be substantially equivalent to courses offered by D'Youville University.
5. Credits accepted for transfer must have been awarded within five years of the date of admission with the exception that D'Youville may, at its discretion, accept older credits if the entering student holds an earned professional degree in one of the health sciences (e.g., DC, MD, DO, DDS, DPM) or a graduate degree in an academic discipline closely related to the health sciences.
6. Credits accepted for transfer from institutions outside the United States must be accompanied by evidence of the individual student's proficiency in the subject matter of each course for which credits are accepted. Students may be required to take a challenge examination to demonstrate proficiency prior to transfer credit being awarded.
7. Transfer students must complete all of the internship requirements at D’Youville.
8. Transfer students may not transfer more than 50 percent of chiropractic-specific courses.
9. Transfer students must earn no less than 25 percent of the total credits required for the DC degree from D'Youville.

Performance Qualifications

Physical Requirements

Students should have adequate physical abilities, strength, and coordination necessary for appropriate execution of procedures related to patient care.

Sensory Requirements

Students must have the ability to utilize sensory information as necessary and appropriate toward the acquisition, analysis, and integration of knowledge as follows:

Visual

• ability to utilize visual observational skills, whether in the laboratory, classroom, or clinical setting, to the degree of being able to inspect a patient, use diagnostic instruments such as an otoscope and ophthalmoscope, interpret radiographs and other diagnostic images, and be able to accurately discern discolorations of the skin.

Auditory

• capacity to acquire information through auditory-based systems such as auscultation and percussion.

Touch

• ability to make determinations through palpation.

Smell

• ability to recognize that certain odors may be indicative of specific pathological conditions and to accurately identify odors and recognize the significance of a particular odor.

Technical Requirements

Cognitive

• ability to acquire, assess, analyze, and integrate information in varying settings and situations.
• ability to conceptualize three dimensional objects and their relationship to related structures and/or function.
• capacity to problem solve and to appropriately utilize knowledge and skill sets in novel situations.
• ability to demonstrate professionalism, decorum, and sound judgment as expected of a physician.

Communication 

• have the ability to effectively communicate with individuals, notably patients, towards the objective of gathering and disseminating information.
• skill set necessary for clear, articulate, and coherent communication, including verbal and written with all involved individuals including other practitioners, faculty, and patients.