Doctor of Chiropractic
Career Information
Start Your Chiropractic Career in Southern California
Whether you dream of owning a thriving practice on the beach, treating top athletes in Los Angeles, or integrating with medical teams at major hospitals, a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from SCU positions you for success in one of the most chiropractic-friendly regions in the world.
What are career options for chiropractors?
As a chiropractor, you’ll have many career options available to you, including:
- Private practice: Own your solo- or joint-practice and be your own boss, or work for another Doctor of Chiropractic.
- Integrated healthcare setting: Chiropractors are increasingly becoming part of larger integrated, whole-person healthcare teams in hospitals, networks, and clinics.
- Sports chiropractor: Work with athletes of all levels. SCU alumni have served as team chiropractors for professional sports teams and Olympic teams.
- Corporate chiropractor: Some companies offer on-site chiropractic care to employees
- Wellness and spa: Chiropractors often own or participate in wellness-focused businesses that tap into the growing interest in holistic health
- National chain: Many chiropractors work with national employers and franchises
- Academia and research: Many chiropractors become college faculty and teach utilizing their clinical and anatomy training or participate in original research.
In just about any setting, you’ll work with people of a wide variety of ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Where are SCU graduates practicing?
- 89% Southern California (LA, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Ventura counties)
- 4% Statewide California
- 7% Out-of-state (AZ, NV, TX, etc.)
Who are some notable SCU alumni of the program?
Dr. Tyler Bigenho ’19 – Founder of Clean Spine Chiropractic, located in Orange County, California
Dr. Kurt Hoverson ’17 – Regional Director at Myodetox
Dr. Emeka Aludogbu ’16 – Founder of Enovate SportsMed®, NFL Alumni Healthcare Strategist, VP at sustainable biotech firm Terramer, Inc., and Co-Founder of Mana Wai Juice
Does a chiropractic career offer a flexible lifestyle?
Many chiropractors enter this profession because it is consistent with their values whether that is an active lifestyle, an appreciation for the vitality and energy of the body, the desire to help others in a personal way, a deep interest in sports and sports medicine, a desire to deeply understand and clearly diagnose and treat the whole person with specificity and precision, or many other reasons.
Others become chiropractors because they are interested in opening their own practice, being their own boss, setting their own hours, and working consistently with their desired work/life balance. Some seek to work in integrative settings and rich partnerships with other providers. Some can't wait to work with sports teams and athletes, treat pregnant patients, or work with their community in any number of ways.
Resources & Next Steps
View additional job and career resources below.