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SCU offers a unique sports medicine emphasis for students in the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program. You may provide care for all levels of athletes, from high school to world-class professionals.
Opportunities include exclusive, integrated sports medicine experiences. If you complete the Sports Medicine Emphasis, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. The emphasis is noted on the transcript.
Students have the opportunity to work in SCU’s Human Performance Optimization Center (HPO), located on-campus alongside residents and faculty in the sports medicine industry.
Students have the opportunity to work and practice at sporting events like marathons, triathlons, endurance cycling, weightlifting competitions, international taekwondo, high school, college athletics and so much more.
Students are exposed to key industry leaders throughout the sports medicine curriculum and other opportunities. You may encounter Olympic doctors or professional sports physicians.
The sports medicine emphasis is part of the required 22 credits of selective courses. This means that earning your certificate of completion doesn’t add any time or expense to your education.
Our sports medicine curriculum builds upon the foundational skills of the DC program. It is evidence-based and focused on outcomes and advanced competency in diagnosing, treating, and preventing athletic injuries.
The curriculum also covers the applications of peaking and recovery programs for sports performance optimization, exercise prescription, and advanced rehabilitation. Areas of study include:
The Chiropractic Sports Medicine Emphasis (SME), which is not the Sports Medicine Series, is similar to an academic minor. It is designed for students who are interested in learning sports medicine, tactical sports medicine, or careers related to chiropractic sports medicine.
For those interested in pursuing competitive residencies and careers in the sports medicine field, the Sports Medicine Emphasis can offer a competitive edge. At 15 academic credits, the Emphasis is equivalent to 225 clock hours of focused sports medicine curriculum. If you complete the Chiropractic SME, you will receive a Certificate of Completion and the emphasis is noted on the transcript.
The SCU DC Program requires the completion of 22 credits of selectives courses for graduation requirements. You can choose how to “spend” those credits.
The Sports Medicine Emphasis total number of courses and credits is 15, all of which apply toward the 22 credits of selectives required for graduation.
Students who wish to complete the Chiropractic Sports Medicine Emphasis must complete three threads of 5 courses each: the Required thread and two additional threads of choice. There is no additional tuition cost unless a DC Program student were to exceed the number of credits covered by full-time tuition.
Please note: the Chiropractic SME does not provide advanced standing with the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians towards the CCSP® or DACBSP® credential.
Students interested in receiving a Sports Medicine Emphasis Certificate of Completion must complete the Required thread and two additional threads of 5 courses each. The Required thread consists of the following five courses, which are 1 credit, each:
Visit the SCU Academic Catalog to view the full list of selective courses available. Selectives are primarily those with SEL and SMS prefix course numbers, though there are exceptions.
The SCU DC Program requires completion of 22 credits of selectives courses for graduation requirements. Students can choose how they “spend” those credits. Students may choose to complete one or more Selective Series as part of the required 22 credits of selective courses based upon their interests and career goals.
There is no additional tuition cost unless a DC Program student were to exceed the number of credits covered by full-time tuition. Full-time tuition covers up to 28.5 credits per term. At 29 credits or more, students will begin to incur additional tuition costs.
Selective courses provide students the opportunity to focus on a specific area of interest, to explore multiple areas of interest, or to determine whether to pursue a certification or diplomate program following graduation.
The Sports Medicine Selective Series is a subset of the Sports Medicine Emphasis, so completion of the Series will contribute to completion of the Emphasis.
Course availability and schedule vary by term. Students are not required to apply for or declare their intention to pursue Selective Series. Students who successfully complete a Selective Series must indicate so on their Petition to Graduate in order to receive a Certificate of Completion.
Students interested in receiving a Sports Medicine Series Certificate of Completion must complete the Required thread, which is a subset of the Sports Medicine Emphasis. The Required thread consists of the following five courses, which are 1 credit, each:
Visit the SCU Academic Catalog to view the full list of selective courses available. Selectives are those with SEL and SMS prefix course numbers, though there are exceptions.
Student Life creates opportunities for students to increase their campus experience, create meaningful relationships, network, and participate in activities that increase talents and knowledge. SCU clubs are a great extension to the curriculum, providing students with tremendous opportunities to build on skills outside of the classroom and clinic.
One of the easiest and most fun ways for students to expand their educational experience is to join one or more of the established organizations on campus, or to start a new one.
Clubs and organizations offer opportunities for students to challenge themselves with new responsibilities while becoming involved in the campus community. They also provide educational, social, and recreational experiences that enrich students’ lives. Club officers and committee chairs gain leadership skills that have tremendous value in their professional careers after graduation. Clubs also provide students with a sense of belonging in the community through spending time with people who have similar interests.
SCU has over 20 established Student Clubs and Organizations, 11 of which are Chiropractic special interest-focused. Beyond chiropractic, there are numerous health sciences integrative special interest clubs that focus on community outreach, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Spanish Medical Terminology, Veterans, and more.
Below are two examples of Chiropractic Sports Medicine-relevant Student Clubs.
R2P is a national non-profit organization that has clubs in place at Chiropractic and Physical therapy schools across the nation. We are a group of students who are striving to bridge the gap between rehab and performance by integrating principles that span different disciplines in the way we learn, practice, and share information to allow for more patient- and client-centered interventions. Meetings are a mixture of both students led hands-on practice and guest speakers.
The focus of the Sports Injury Council (SIC) Club is to further education through the shared knowledge of skilled clinicians within the realm of evidence-based sports.
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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