Students earning their Doctor of Chiropractic degree are likely looking to graduate from chiropractic school, get licensed, and start their businesses.
And while this is a typical career path, it’s not the only way to a fulfilling and rewarding career as a chiropractor. This is why chiropractic students should consider their future and career plans long before graduation.
This article will discuss five tips chiropractic students should remember during school to ensure they will succeed long after graduation.
What is a Doctorate of Chiropractic Program?
A Chiropractic Doctorate (D.C.) is a graduate-level degree that takes several years to complete. Students generally need a bachelor’s degree to be eligible for these programs. However, some schools, like University of Bridgeport, will accept students with just 90 undergraduate credits as long as they meet the science prerequisites.
Chiropractic Doctorate programs typically consist of courses in the basic sciences, clinical sciences, and clinical services. Common Chiropractic courses include:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Radiology and Adjustments
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
- Diagnostic skills
Students should be aware that some states require chiropractors to have a bachelor’s degree to practice. Therefore, students should consult the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards to determine specific requirements for licensure in the state where they plan to practice.
Learn more about the admissions requirements for the Doctor of Chiropractic program at University of Bridgeport!
Tips for Aspiring Chiropractors
Establishing a successful career starts long before you graduate from a degree program. Thinking ahead will aid you in preparing for this career’s challenges.
1. Focus on How What You’re Learning Will Provide Value to Patients
Most aspiring chiropractors choose this profession to help people live healthier lives by caring for their patients’ bodies, bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
They also focus on improving back and neck pain through spinal adjustments and joint realignments, enhancing the function of other systems throughout the body.
To do this, students must focus and ensure they have an in-depth understanding of how to provide patient care. In addition, people want to know what value you will offer them as their chiropractor, so be sure to ask as many questions as possible in your classes to provide this information to future patients effectively.
Talk to your professors and peers about common trends with patients, including their needs regarding health and wellbeing, budgets, lifestyles, and health preferences. Talking and planning for these needs will ensure you are ready for a variety of patient questions.
2. Keep Up With Chiropractic Trends
Students should stay aware of chiropractic trends during and after graduate school by immersing themselves in continuing education.
Utilize resources and opportunities in your program to expose yourself to as many new ideas, techniques, and technology as possible. Additionally, talk to your professors and mentors about what they have seen throughout their careers.
Lastly, don’t forget to research best business practices, especially if you want to run your own chiropractic practice one day. Staying aware of current chiropractic trends during and after school helps students keep a competitive edge in the job market.
3. Embrace Mistakes and Do Things That Scare You
Students must remember that a big part of learning means making mistakes. And what better place to make a mistake than in graduate school, where you have the support of your friends and professors? Mistakes are part of the process and carry the best lessons with them.
This is also why students should do things that scare them, like answering questions in class or volunteering for a student committee or club. Create opportunities to share your passion for the chiropractic message to prepare you to talk to future clients.
Some students write articles for their school newspapers or are guests on college radio shows. Do as much as you can to put yourself out there and practice educating the public about what you offer.
4. Figure Out How You Want To Practice
While challenging, starting a chiropractic practice is a common pathway for many Doctor of Chiropractic graduates.
Students should ask themselves the following questions to determine if and how they want to run their own business:
- Do you want to open your own business or join an existing office?
- Are you ready to invest the time and money to start a business?
- How do you want to market yourself and your business?
- How well do you know the business end of chiropractic practice (i.e., billing patients and knowing insurance codes.)
- Will you work with insurance companies or only offer cash and credit as acceptable patient payment methods?
- Where will you work?
5. Learn How to Market Yourself
Now more than ever, establishing a personal and online presence is crucial. In addition, patients often research the doctor and the practice when deciding on a healthcare provider.
Students can practice writing email marketing campaigns and designing websites. Additionally, research chiropractors where you want to practice and see how they market themselves.
Pay attention to their branding, company culture, how they utilize patient testimonial videos, and their responses to online reviews. This gives students a fresh perspective and helps them learn from other businesses’ successes and mistakes.
The most successful chiropractors start thinking about their future well in advance. Keeping these five tips in mind during graduate school sets you up for exponentially more success come graduation.
At University of Bridgeport, our Doctor of Chiropractic program honors diversity and collaboration, encourages patient-centered care, and supports our students’ path toward success.
Financial aid is available, and we accept applications on a rolling basis. So apply today, and together we’ll start something great!