Doctor of Chiropractic

Admissions Requirements

Discover Your Path To Success: Pathways For Every Student

If you have at least 90 undergraduate credits and meet the admission requirements, you may apply directly to the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program. If you have fewer than 90 credits, you can begin with the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Chiropractic Sciences pathway, which requires only 48 credits for entry and provides another pathway to the DC program.

To apply for the Doctor of Chiropractic degree, applicants must meet one of the following pathways. All candidates must hold a degree or have completed credits from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or a comparable foreign agency. If applicants do not fully meet these criteria, they may still be considered for admission with the Dean’s approval, with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis.

• Track 1: The Bachelor’s Degree Pathway
  • A bachelor’s degree.
  • 6 credits* in Anatomy & Physiology and Chemistry with a grade of C or higher taken within the last seven years.
• Track 2: The 3.00 GPA Pathway Without a Bachelor’s Degree
  • A minimum of 90 credits (135 quarter credits) of undergraduate coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale for the 90 semester credits.
  • 6 credits* in Anatomy & Physiology and Chemistry with a grade of C or higher taken within the last seven years.
• Track 3: The 2.75 GPA Pathway Without a Bachelor’s Degree
  • A minimum of 90 credits (135 quarter credits) of undergraduate coursework that includes the following:
  • A cumulative GPA between 2.75 and 2.99 on a 4.00 scale for the 90 semester credits and a minimum of 24 credits (36 quarter units) of life and/or physical sciences.
  • 6 credits* in Anatomy & Physiology and Chemistry with a grade of C or higher taken within the last seven years.
• Additional requirements, for all Tracks:
  • Successful admission interview.
  • Meet the physical and technical requirements to successfully complete the program, with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Recommended requirements, for all Tracks:
  • SCU recommends that students have a well-rounded general education background in the life and physical sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Additionally, all students who have not recently taken chemistry and/or anatomy and physiology are encouraged to complete the self-paced, zero-credit online modules offered by SCU.
• * Clarification for the 6 credits in Anatomy & Physiology and Chemistry:
  • The 7-year requirement is waived for applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree with a 3.00 GPA.
  • 3 credits (4.5 quarter credits) in Anatomy & Physiology (human anatomy and physiology in any single or multiple course combination accepted or other biological sciences like Biology and Genetics).
  • 3 credits (4.5 quarter credits)  in Chemistry (e.g., General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Biochemistry accepted).
  • Applicants who do not meet the Anatomy & Physiology and/or Chemistry requirements may be admitted on a contingent basis and must complete these courses or enroll in a competency-based, self-paced, zero-credit online module(s) offered for free by SCU.
  • Anatomy & Physiology requirements must be successfully completed before the start of the first week of the chiropractic program.
  • Chemistry requirements must be completed before the end of the first term of the chiropractic program.

Need Prerequisites?

Students who are missing a prerequisite course requirement or are looking to improve their GPA can choose to take an SCU Accelerated Science course and complete the requirements in as little as five weeks. SCU’s Accelerated Science courses are prequalified and guaranteed acceptance for this program.  Click here to learn more.

Transfer Credit Eligibility/Advanced Standing

In addition to meeting the University’s requirements for transfer credit, the following requirements apply to students receiving Advanced Standing for the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program:

• Transferred course hours must be equivalent to 75% or more of LACC course hours, otherwise a course must be retaken in its entirety.
• Students may receive transfer credit for up to 75% of the total program (maximum 16 credits).
• Students transferring from another graduate institution must submit a completed and signed Transfer in Good Standing Form directly to SCU by the original institution.
• Credits used towards admissions requirements cannot be used for Advanced Standing, if applicable.

Admissions Process

• Submit prior educational information to your Admissions Advisor.
• Complete an admission interview.
• Meet the physical and technical requirements to successfully complete the program, with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Application Deadlines:
  • To ensure an admission decision before the desired start term, applicants are encouraged to submit their application, all application documents, and supporting documents as soon as possible to be reviewed by the admissions committee.
  • SCU admits students on a rolling basis.

Finish your bachelor’s as you complete your Doctor of Chiropractic, with no added time

At SCU, we offer an embedded dual-degree that allows students to earn their Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree concurrently with their bachelor’s degree, providing an efficient path to professional practice.

• Students interested in this embedded bachelor’s degree pathway must complete the required general education course requirements prior to enrollment. Contact your SCU Admissions Advisor for detailed information about program requirements, curriculum structure, and application procedures.

Turn 48 Credits Into Your Pathway to a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree

• Have you completed some college but don’t yet have the 90 credits needed to apply to the Doctor of Chiropractic program? Our Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) program bridges the gap, allowing you to reach the 90 credits required for admission. Once in the DC program, you can finish your bachelor’s degree while completing your doctorate. You may enter the BSHS program with as few as 48 credits.
• For additional information, please visit the BSHS program page.

Canadian Students

• Our largest international population is our neighbors to the north. Sunny Southern California provides a great opportunity to experience a different climate while developing new skills and friends.   Learn more by visiting our International Students page.
• SCU’s Canadian Scholarship is for F-1 Visa Canadian students who are enrolled in the Doctor of Chiropractic program and provides a maximum of a 20% discount on tuition.
• Licensure in Canada. Chiropractic, like medicine and dentistry, is a self-regulating profession. Each U.S. state and Canadian province has unique requirements for licensure as well as scope-of-practice regulations. An early understanding of these requirements will be invaluable to you as you prepare for your future career. SCU’s Doctor of Chiropractic program is designed to offer students education sufficient for licensure in all U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and other foreign jurisdictions. Our graduates practice successfully across the country and internationally.

International Students

• SCU welcomes applications from qualified students from other countries. The general admission requirements are identical for all applicants, regardless of citizenship. However, immigration regulations, varying educational backgrounds, and financial considerations require additional procedures necessary for international students.
• For additional information please visit our  International Students  page.

Accessibility and Disability Services

Students seeking reasonable accommodations or support services while enrolled at SCU can do so through the  Student Services Office (SSO). We encourage you to register with SSO as early as possible to allow sufficient time for the approval and notification process.