Online, In-Person, or Hybrid? Choosing the Best Continuing Education Format for Chiropractors

When you’re a chiropractor continuing education is part of the job—but how you go about it can vary widely. Whether you’re looking to renew your license, expand your clinical toolkit, or explore a new area of care, the format you choose matters just as much as the content.

Some chiropractors prefer the energy of an in-person seminar. Others need the flexibility of online learning or like the balance a hybrid format brings. If you’re trying to figure out which path fits your goals—and your schedule—you’re in the right place. Let’s walk through what each format offers and how to choose the one that works best for where you are right now.

Understanding Your Options: Online, In-Person, and Hybrid Programs

Continuing education is part of the professional rhythm for chiropractors, but how you earn your CE hours or pursue advanced study can look different depending on your needs, schedule, and goals. Each format—online, in-person, and hybrid—offers distinct benefits, and understanding the structure of each can help you make a choice that truly fits.

In-Person Programs

These programs follow a traditional classroom model and often take place on a fixed campus with a structured weekly schedule. They’re ideal for those who thrive in face-to-face environments and benefit from consistent access to faculty, equipment, and clinical spaces.

Pros:

• Direct access to labs and clinical equipment

• Peer-to-peer collaboration and networking

• Built-in structure for students who prefer routine

• Strong immersion in clinical settings

Cons:

• Less flexible for work or travel commitments

• Requires proximity to campus or relocation

Online Programs

Fully digital programs are designed for those who need maximum schedule flexibility. They’re often structured around asynchronous coursework, allowing students to complete lectures, discussions, and assignments on their own time.

These programs are useful for students who are already in practice or navigating other commitments. However, programs focused on manual therapies may include fewer opportunities for hands-on learning.

Pros:

• Learn from anywhere, at any time

• Allows you to maintain professional and personal responsibilities

• Cost savings on travel and relocation

• Easy access to digital resources and recorded content

Cons:

• Limited exposure to hands-on techniques

• May not include clinical rotations or live assessments

Hybrid Programs

Hybrid formats combine online coursework with scheduled in-person experiences—such as clinical labs, intensives, or practical rotations. This format is often chosen by professionals seeking a more adaptable path without giving up skill development or direct mentorship.

Students complete most theoretical learning remotely while participating in hands-on training during structured sessions. This approach is especially well suited to nontraditional students and practicing professionals seeking career growth while continuing to work.

Pros:

• Balanced structure: flexibility for theory, structure for practice

• Live interaction with instructors and clinical mentors

• Time-efficient: fewer weekly campus commitments

• Strong fit for those returning to school after time away

• Ideal for programs that include both academic and hands-on skill-building

Cons:

• May require travel or short-term relocation for clinical components

• Scheduling in-person intensives may need advance planning

Find Your Fit: How to Choose the Right Format

Continuing education should build around your goals—not the other way around. Before jumping into a program, it’s helpful to pause and look at your bigger picture. What kind of learner are you? What’s going on in your day-to-day life? Where do you see your practice heading?

By asking the right questions upfront, you’ll be better prepared to choose a format that supports both your personal life and professional future. 

Learning Style: How Do You Learn Best?

Everyone absorbs information differently. Some chiropractors thrive in hands-on settings where they can practice skills with live feedback. Others prefer independent study with room to process, read, and review at their own pace.

Think about what’s helped you succeed in the past. Do you enjoy group discussion and real-time interaction with instructors? Or are you someone who likes the freedom to move through material on your own schedule? Knowing how you learn will help guide whether in-person, online, or hybrid education fits your needs.

Location and Mobility: Where Can You Learn?

Some programs are campus-based, while others include online coursework with periodic travel for labs or intensives. Before enrolling, consider how far you’re able—or willing—to travel for in-person sessions.

If you have family responsibilities, work commitments, or other location constraints, that doesn’t mean you have fewer options—it just means planning ahead is even more important. Hybrid programs, which combine remote study with occasional in-person training, can be especially helpful in this case.

Schedule Flexibility: How Much Structure Works for You?

Chiropractors are busy. Between patients, business operations, and life outside the office, fitting in continuing education can feel like a juggling act. That’s why format flexibility matters.With options like asynchronous coursework, you can often choose when to study, which can make a huge difference for those working full time.

That said, chiropractor continuing education programs still require serious dedication. Even with flexibility, the curriculum is rigorous. Weekly assignments, clinical hours, and exams demand consistent time and focus. Whether you choose a self-paced schedule or a more structured, synchronous format, you’ll need to plan ahead and stay engaged to keep up with the pace and depth of the material.

Licensure and Accreditation: Does the Program Meet Professional Standards?

Whatever format you choose, make sure the program meets your state’s licensure requirements and is accredited by a recognized body. Accreditation means the curriculum, instructors, and clinical experiences meet professional standards, and your hours will count toward certification or continuing education requirements.

If you’re looking ahead toward a specialization or academic degree, this step becomes even more important. Check with your licensing board and be sure the program aligns with your long-term plans.

Technology Comfort: Are You Ready for Online Learning Tools?

Online and hybrid programs rely on digital tools—lecture portals, discussion boards, virtual assessments, and recorded labs. If you’re not already familiar with these platforms, a little preparation goes a long way.

Confidence with technology can help reduce stress and keep you focused on learning rather than logistics. Most programs provide onboarding support, so you’re not expected to be an expert—just open to learning in a digital space.

Long-Term Career Goals: Where Are You Headed Next?

Format isn’t just about convenience—it’s about fit. Are you aiming to grow a specialty practice in sports chiropractic, pediatrics, or functional wellness? Are you working toward leadership in an integrative health setting? Certain formats may offer more exposure to clinical tools, case-based learning, or mentorship in your area of interest. A hybrid format, for example, may give you room to continue working while still participating in intensive, skill-building weekends that align with your next steps.

Putting It All Together

Choosing a format is personal. There’s no one correct answer—it’s about aligning your learning experience with your lifestyle, values, and goals. A little reflection upfront can help you invest in a program that works with you instead of against you.

Whether you’re looking to stay sharp, branch into new modalities, or expand your career in bold directions, the right format can help make your next chapter more achievable—and more meaningful.

Train Smarter: SCU’s Hybrid Path to Your Chiropractic Career

When you’re preparing for a career in chiropractic care, flexibility and clinical strength matter. At Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), we’ve created a Doctor of Chiropractic program that blends rigorous academics with the kind of real-world experience that shapes confident, capable practitioners. Students in our program gain a strong foundation in science, clinical care, and patient communication—while building skills in business, integrative practice, and specialty care.

You’ll study online during your didactic coursework and come together in-person for labs, clinical rotations, and hands-on intensives. This model gives you structure, connection, and adaptability—without putting your goals on hold.

Program Highlights

• • Full-time hybrid format with online coursework and on-campus clinical training

• Designed for completion in 34 years

• • No bachelor’s required; begin with 90+ transferable undergraduate credits

• Tailored for both traditional students and career changers

• Supportive cohort model with access to expert faculty

Clinical Experience that Prepares You to Lead

Our clinical training goes far beyond the classroom. As a student at SCU, you’ll work directly with patients through SCU Health Clinics, which serve over 40,000 visits a year. You’ll also gain exposure to a range of real-world settings through rotations at more than 500 partner sites, including:

• Veterans Affairs hospitals
• Sports medicine clinics
• Functional and integrative care practices
• Teaching hospitals and community health centers

This broad, in-depth training means you’ll graduate with hands-on confidence and a clear understanding of how chiropractic fits into today’s health systems.

A Program That Builds Your Future—Beyond Adjustments

We understand that being a successful chiropractor means more than mastering manual techniques. That’s why our curriculum includes business and practice management essentials—like billing, insurance coding, entrepreneurship, and marketing. You’ll leave SCU with the skills to not only treat but also lead, grow, and manage a modern chiropractic practice.

For students interested in focused expertise, we offer elective tracks including:

• Sports Medicine

• Functional Medicine

• Chiropractic Techniques and Adjustive Methods

You can also add an optional Sports Medicine emphasis, complete with fieldwork at athletic events, training centers, and mentorship through our Human Performance Optimization Center (HPO) faculty.

A Chiropractic Education That Moves With You

SCU’s hybrid format supports your life while preparing you for the demands of clinical care. Whether you’re entering straight from undergrad or shifting into a second career, you’ll find a structure that’s flexible, a community that’s invested, and a curriculum that’s built to take you from student to confident, practice-ready professional.

Start Your Journey with SCU

When you’re a chiropractor continuing education is essential to staying sharp, competitive, and aligned with evolving patient care. At Southern California University of Health Sciences, we’ve designed a hybrid Doctor of Chiropractic program that gives you flexibility, structure, and the kind of clinical immersion that sets you up for long-term success.

You don’t have to choose between your goals and your schedule. Our program is built for driven students who are ready to grow—professionally, personally, and clinically. Explore our admissions requirements, see how our hybrid format supports your future, and apply today. Your next step in chiropractic starts now.

FAQs

How many continuing education hours do chiropractors need each year?

It varies by state, but most require between 12 and 40 hours annually. Always check with your state board to stay compliant.

What are my options if I’m a chiropractor continuing education to specialize in sports medicine?

Look for programs that include targeted electives, fieldwork opportunities, or mentorship in sports and performance-focused care.

Are hybrid chiropractic programs accredited?

Yes, many hybrid programs—like ours—meet all accreditation standards and include both online learning and in-person clinical requirements.

How long does it take to complete SCU’s Doctor of Chiropractic program?

Our program is designed to be completed in 34 years, depending on your pacing and course load.

Where do SCU students complete their clinical training?

Students train in SCU Health Clinics and rotate through over 500 partner sites, including VA hospitals, sports clinics, and community health centers.