Speak with an admissions advisor. 562-475-4604
10 Terms | 3 years and 4 months
12 Terms | 4 years
Fall: September 6th, 2022
Spring: January 9th, 2023
May 8th, 2023
*based on admissions requirements
The Los Angeles College of Chiropractic has been educating future chiropractors for over 100 years. Our evidence-based, whole-person approach to practice and our University-wide commitment to interprofessional education set our graduates apart. SCU’s curriculum is built around interprofessional collaboration so you can gain both essential clinical chiropractic skills and vital new perspectives to advance your career. Located in one of the most vibrant areas of the country, SCU gives students the benefits of learning and practicing in culturally and clinically diverse settings. In addition, SCU offers multiple paths to customize your academic experience with 22 credits of electives that include courses in Sports Medicine, Eastern Medicine, Functional Medicine, Diagnostic Imaging, and more, allowing you to customize your education to best fit your interests and career goals.
SCU’s model of experiential learning in interprofessional settings combines learning alongside other healthcare disciplines, coursework, clinical experiences, community engagement, and campus clubs to expose students to a variety of philosophies, practices and treatment options; help students develop a broad base of knowledge; and prepare future healthcare professionals with a deep understanding of integrative, evidence and team-based, whole-person healthcare.
Real patients. Real practice. Extensive clinical experiences across a variety of situations, care settings, and business structures. Learn more at our Clinical Experiences page.
SCU utilizes competency exams that mimic the board certification. The competency exams give students feedback on how they are doing and give us feedback on how we are doing as a program.
Gain experience that books cannot teach and technology cannot replicate by studying at one of the only chiropractic schools in the nation with a cadaver lab.
SynDavers and 3D4Medical virtual anatomy software help you view the intricacies of the human body. Use Echo360 lecture capture and Draw It to Know It to help you study and learn. Practice with Force Sensing Table Technology® to get real-time feedback to enhance their skills used to deliver spinal manipulation.
Learn over 12 manipulation techniques to allow you to treat your patients in a personalized fashion.
Expected growth between 2018 and 20281
U.S. News & World Report Best Health Care Jobs3
Median annual wage for chiropractors in the Los Angeles area2
SCU’s Doctor of Chiropractic program teaches an evidence-based, whole-person approach to practice. Our University-wide commitment to Interprofessional Education sets our program apart. Our innovative curriculum is built around interprofessional collaboration so you can gain both essential clinical skills and vital new perspectives to advance your career.
Concentrate on the basic sciences to set your foundation for understanding the human body. Get hands-on experience in Chiropractic technique courses beginning in your first term.
Go more in-depth and gain critical exposure to other schools of thought with interprofessional education courses. Start to develop an understanding of how to read the human body for signs of health and disease.
Put basic and clinical science knowledge to work as you consult, diagnose, and treat real patients under the supervision of licensed doctors while working with peers training for other healthcare professions. Be prepared to lead in today’s evolving healthcare environment.
At SCU, we want students to understand when they start the program what they will know, be able to do, or value as a result of taking a course or completing the program. For complete details, including Program Learning Outcomes, view the complete curriculum.
For over 100 years, the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic (LACC) has focused on making a difference in the world by preparing students to become whole-person healthcare practitioners through excellence in healthcare education. Through our demanding chiropractic curriculum, our dedicated faculty strive to educate evidence-informed, compassionate, skilled, and integrative chiropractors who are also sensitive to current healthcare needs.
Our outstanding faculty and staff are motivated by our mission and core values, and they strive to deliver the knowledge, skills, and tools you will need to excel in your career as a Doctor of Chiropractic. As the program is academically challenging, SCU provides the support and resources necessary to help you achieve success – while maintaining academic rigor and consistency.
We are passionate about helping others, and about educating students to help others along their own journeys to health. Our excellence comes from a solid curricular foundation, a person-centered and outcome-focused approach, and a diverse and inspiring campus community.
We look forward to welcoming you to LACC!
Dean, Los Angeles College of Chiropractic
Southern California University of Health Sciences
SCU faculty include real-world practitioners with industry experience.
The LACC Advisory Board is composed of academic experts, industry leaders, and chiropractic experts from around the world.
Accreditation confirms that SCU programs, faculty, resources and partnerships are meeting or exceeding national standards for education. Southern California University of Health Sciences is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1001 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 402, Alameda, CA 94501. Phone: (510) 748-9001.
The Doctor of Chiropractic program at Southern California University of Health Sciences – Los Angeles College of Chiropractic is awarded programmatic accreditation by The Council on Chiropractic Education, 8049 North 85th Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85258-4321, Phone: (480)443-8877, Website: www.cce-usa.org.
The Doctor of Chiropractic Program of the Southern California University of Health Sciences is also approved by the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
| Calendar Year (Last 4 years) | Number of Graduates Attempting Any or All Parts (I, II, III, IV*) of NBCE Exams within six (6) months post-graduation | Number of Graduates Passing All Parts (I, II, III, IV*) of NBCE Exams within six (6) months post-graduation | Percentage of Graduates Passing All Parts (I, II, III, IV*) of NBCE Exams within six (6) months post-graduation |
| 2017 | 112 | 98 | 88% |
| 2018 | 124 | 101 | 81% |
| 2019 | 96 | 88 | 92% |
| 2020 | 81 | 70 | 86% |
| Total | 413 | 357 | 86% |
| *or CCEB Part C data in lieu of NBCE IV data | Weighted Average | ||
In compliance with 34 CFR 668.43, the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic (LACC) at SCU provides information pertaining to professional licensure for the Doctor of Chiropractic program. Students should refer to the information below and contact the appropriate licensing board to ensure they will meet the licensure requirements in the state(s) in which they intend to practice upon graduation. LACC’s Doctor of Chiropractic program meets the educational requirements for licensure in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Some states have requirements in addition to educational requirements. Prospective and enrolled students are encouraged to research licensure requirements for the state in which they intend to practice. Licensure requirements vary from state to state.
Neither acceptance for admission into the program nor the subsequent earning of a Doctor of Chiropractic degree guarantees that a state or foreign country will grant a graduate a license to practice chiropractic. Each state and foreign country, through its legislative and administrative process, defines the standards of competency and scope of practice of chiropractic within its jurisdiction. For further information on each of the jurisdictions, please visit the Official Directory of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Board.
Please note that licensure requirements are always subject to change. Although SCU will confirm the licensure requirements on a routine basis, we strongly recommend that you inquire with the licensing agency to confirm that you understand and will meet the requirements for licensure before enrolling in your program of choice. Additionally, while progressing through the program, we recommend that you check licensing agency requirements regularly to monitor whether they have changed in a manner that impacts your licensure plans.
The following states require students to have a bachelor’s degree, in addition to a D.C. degree, to obtain a license:
| Curriculum Meets Licensure Requirements | Curriculum Does Not Meet Licensure Requirements | Unknown/Cannot Be Confirmed as Meeting |
| Alabama, Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island*, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia*, Wisconsin | None |
In states above indicated with an asterisk (*) – students must have completed a bachelor’s degree prior to matriculating into the D.C. program.
State Licensure and Pre-chiropractic Education Requirement Resources:
LACC’s Doctor of Chiropractic program (DC) is accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE)
All international students are strongly encouraged to check the credentialing requirements in the country where they intend to practice.
The Proportion of Students in the Cohort Who Graduate from the Program as of July 2021
The following table provides graduation rates for the two academic years that recently exceeded 150% of the
program’s specified length, per CCE’s Policy 56. These rates may differ slightly from the DC
Graduation Rates Table because the Completion Rates Table includes transfer students.
DC Degree Completion Rates
| Southern California University of Health Sciences; Los Angeles College of Chiropractic | ||||
| Normal Length of Program: 10 Trimesters | ||||
| Entrance Term |
# of Students Matriculated in Entrance Term | Term 15 Trimesters after Entrance Term | # Students in Column A that graduated by Column C Term | Completion Rate at the 150th Percentile |
| Fall 2014 | 92 | Summer 2019 | 82 | 89.1% |
| Spring 2015 | 40 | Fall 2019 | 35 | 87.5% |
| Summer 2015 | 3 | Spring 2020 | 3 | 100.00% |
| Fall 2015 | 83 | Summer 2020 | 68 | 81.9% |
| Spring 2016 | 35 | Fall 2020 | 29 | 82.9% |
| Summer 2016 | 0 | Spring 2021 | 0 | |
| 2-YR TOTAL | 253 | 217 | 85.8% | |
“On top of chiropractic procedures classes, a personal favorite of mine has been the cadaver lab experience. The cadaver classes really opened up my perception of what the human body is made up of. It allowed me to get an in person perspective of how the body really works and looks on the inside. I am truly thankful for those experiences because it really opened and broadened my horizons to the human body and anatomy in general.”
“One of my favorite experiences in class is with an Instructor who is a recent grad, his technique helped me feel what the adjustment should feel like and I was able to get my first cervical adjustment on the first try!”
“The student body at SCU is really unique. Everyone is open-minded and they are willing to talk to you and help you out. The one thing I really love is I have found my main group of friends who have become my life support… I am in a bunch of clubs… Clubs have helped with networking and support and it is a great community to be a part of.”
“What made me want to become a chiropractor is I sat in on a chiropractic lecture and everything clicked. I had a feeling that I belonged. Going to SCU gave me a chance. I came from a background where I wasn’t a good student, I was at a low point and coming to SCU I got nothing but help, support, resources and tutoring. I now have the skills to succeed as a chiropractic student and as a leader on campus.”
“Dr. Sermeno makes sure you understand [the material] to the best of your ability. If he is presenting in a way you are still not understanding, he will present it in a different way so you can understand. I appreciate that. He is in practice as well and brings that knowledge to campus so we have an idea of what is going on in the outside world on campus and real-life ideas.”
If you have 90 credit hours or more and meet other admission standards, you are eligible for the Doctor of Chiropractic program.
1 If students do not meet the GPA requirements based on the cumulative or most recent 90 credit calculation, an appeal can be made to the Program Dean or designee.
Note: The life sciences encompass the fields of science that involve the scientific study of living organisms, like plants, animals, and human beings, as well as related considerations like bioethics. Physical sciences encompass the branches of science that study non-living systems.
$129,200* or $129,600** tuition to complete the program.
SCU’s Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee for degree programs allows you to plan your educational investment.
Benefits of our Fixed Tuition Guarantee:
If you would like to learn more about the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at FinancialAid@scuhs.edu.
*Tuition rate reflected above represents the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2021-2022 academic year. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on this website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information.
**Tuition difference is based on 10- vs. 12-term programs.
***Some limitations apply. View the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee page for more information.
| Term | Tuition* | Fees | Medical Equipment |
EXXAT Fees | Petition to Graduate Fee |
Total Term Cost** |
| 1 | $12,920 | $316 | $1,125 | $155 | – | $14,516 |
| 2 | $12,920 | $316 | – | – | – | $13,236 |
| 3 | $12,920 | $316 | – | – | – | $13,236 |
| 4 | $12,920 | $316 | – | – | – | $13,236 |
| 5 | $12,920 | $316 | – | – | – | $13,236 |
| 6 | $12,920 | $316 | – | – | – | $13,236 |
| 7 | $12,920 | $316 | – | – | – | $13,236 |
| 8 | $12,920 | $316 | – | – | – | $13,236 |
| 9 | $12,920 | $316 | – | – | – | $13,236 |
| 10 | $12,920 | $316 | – | – | $150 | $13,386 |
| Totals | $129,200 | $3,160 | $1,125 | $155 | $150 | $133,790 |
*DC students can also expect to pay $31 per student/preceptor relationship to the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners between term 3 and 10.
**DC students on the 10 term track enrolled in less than 12 units will be charged on a per unit basis of $1,077 per unit.
***DC students on the 10 term track enrolled in more than 28.5 units will be charged full time rate plus the per unite rate of $1,077 for every unit over 28.5 units.
****Program fees listed are for the 2021/2022 academic year and are subject to change. Program fees include charges for technology, malpractice insurance, professional affiliation, and ASB.
*****Books, supplies and other equipment not included in the tuition and fee schedule may be required for this program.
| Term | Tuition* | Fees | Medical Equipment |
EXXAT Fees | Petition to Graduate Fee |
Total Term Cost** |
| 1 | $10,800 | $316 | $1,125 | $155 | – | $12,396 |
| 2 | $10,800 | $316 | – | – | – | $11,116 |
| 3 | $10,800 | $316 | – | – | – | $11,116 |
| 4 | $10,800 | $316 | – | – | – | $11,116 |
| 5 | $10,800 | $316 | – | – | – | $11,116 |
| 6 | $10,800 | $316 | – | – | – | $11,116 |
| 7 | $10,800 | $316 | – | – | – | $11,116 |
| 8 | $10,800 | $316 | – | – | – | $11,116 |
| 9 | $10,800 | $316 | – | – | – | $11,116 |
| 10 | $10,800 | $316 | – | – | – | $11,116 |
| 11 | $10,800 | $316 | – | – | – | $11,116 |
| 12 | $10,800 | $316 | – | – | $150 | $11,266 |
| Totals | $129,600 | $3,792 | $1,125 | $155 | $150 | $134,822 |
*DC students can also expect to pay $31 per student/preceptor relationship to the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners between term 3 and 12.
**DC students on the 12 term track enrolled in less than 12 units will be charged on a per unit basis of $900 per unit.
***DC students on the 12 term track enrolled in more than 28.5 units will be charged full time rate plus the per unite rate of $900 for every unit over 28.5 units.
****Program fees listed are for the 2021/2022 academic year and are subject to change. Program fees include charges for technology, malpractice insurance, professional affiliation, and ASB.
*****Books, supplies and other equipment not included in the tuition and fee schedule may be required for this program.
You wouldn’t be looking at this program if you weren’t interested in helping people find their healthiest life. Your dedication and enthusiasm for the growing movement toward whole-person wellness is what makes you a perfect fit for SCU. Now, begin to Discover why the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic is for you.
Our approach to Interprofessional Education is unique in California and across the country. Here, modern medicine unites with ancient and traditional healing arts to create an environment of engagement. SCU’s groundbreaking IPE model combines curriculum, clinic, community, and clubs to help you develop a broader base of knowledge and gain a deeper appreciation for different perspectives on care which leads to a seamless transition from student to practitioner.
We bring together aspiring students from different disciplines so you can learn and excel side-by-side. The depth and breadth of this dynamic experience will prepare you to one day take the lead in a collaborative, interprofessional practice.
Graduate students have a variety of ways to help fund their education. From graduate-dedicated federal loans to specialty grants and scholarships, paying for your education can be easy at SCU. In addition, our distinctive Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee for degree programs provides students with confidence in planning for their educational investment.
Fixed Tuition Guarantee Benefits:
It’s not always possible to come to campus. However, there are a variety of ways to see buildings and spaces, interact with current students, and ask staff questions no matter where you are. Check out our virtual experiences to make connections and learn what it is like to be part of the University.
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