Today’s graduating Doctors of Chiropractic have studied and trained in a post-secondary college or university for at least seven years. Just like medical or dental students, they must first complete undergraduate study before applying for admission to a chiropractic college.

Becoming a chiropractor is a demanding and highly rewarding path that includes a minimum of 4,500 hours of intense academic study including classroom learning, clinical science and internship training. During the course of their training, he/she will have studied the following three areas:

• Basic sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pathology of the study of disease, biochemistry, clinical sciences and X-ray diagnosis.
• Specialized training in the philosophy and practice of chiropractic.
• Clinical internship with emphasis on hands-on practice.

Reprinted with permission by the BC Chiropractic Association. www.bcchiro.com

Chiropractic is a self-governing profession which means that doctors are bound to a professional code of conduct through national and provincial chiropractic associations, such as the British Columbia Chiropractors’ Association (BCCA).

This self-regulating and disciplinary process ensures that the public’s health concerns are the chiropractic profession’s highest priority.

Reprinted with permission by the BC Chiropractic Association. www.bcchiro.com

Academic Curriculum

Together with training in the Science, Philosophy and Art of chiropractic, the program offers course work leading to the Doctor of Chiropractic Degree (D.C.) that covers the Basic and Clinical Sciences as well as Jurisprudence, Office Procedure and Business Management. Students are exposed to a selection of successful techniques increasing their versatility in the health and wellness field.
One of the most distinctive features of the curriculum is the influence of the College’s world-renowned founder and president, Dr. James W. Parker. For over 45 years, Dr. Parker, through the Seminars of the Parker School for Professional Success (PSPS) now called Parker Seminars, taught thousands in the chiropractic profession his success principles. These principles are included in Parker students’ education.

The course of study is a 4-year academic program condensed to three (3) calendar years of nine (9) Trimesters. Many students attending Parker College have previously attained a B.S., B.A. or higher degree, prior to entry into the professional program. Demonstrating the high standards of academic and clinical excellence at Parker College, students consistently rank among top performers on state and national board exams and go on to maintain successful practices. Parker College also offers 2 Bachelor’s of Science degrees, one in Anatomy and one in Health and Wellness.

History of Parker

The Parker Beginnings
Parker College of Chiropractic is named for its late founder, Dr. James William Parker. For five decades, Dr. Parker’s professional passion, skills and love were directed toward chiropractic – from the day he began recuperating from childhood illnesses following chiropractic adjustments until his death in 1997.

While a senior in chiropractic college, Dr. Parker opened two successful practices in Illinois and published a book on chiropractic. After graduating from Palmer School of Chiropractic in 1946, he moved to Fort Worth, Texas and developed one of the fastest growing chiropractic practices in the history of the profession. In 18 months he established 18 clinics, one in almost every major city in Texas. From his experience operating these offices, Dr. Parker improved chiropractic care and developed methods for establishing and maintaining successful chiropractic practices.

A foundation was created in 1951 to conduct postgraduate chiropractic seminars. Over the last half century, the seminars evolved into PSPS (Parker School of Professional Success) and are now called Parker Seminars. Nearly 40,000 chiropractors have attended these seminars.

The Original Concept
At the urging of his colleagues, Dr. Jim Parker helped establish and fund Parker College of Chiropractic and consented to lend his name to the school. These chiropractors felt that students could benefit from Dr. Parker’s unique success, his healing techniques, his philosophy and his business training, which were not included in their other chiropractic school curriculum. These doctors believed that if students were exposed to Dr. Parker’s principles and teachings during their years of training, they would become more successful healers and practitioners after graduation. Thus, Parker College was founded to provide “The Parker Training” and was based on the premise of “Spreading Chiropractic Worldwide.”

The College Opens
Parker College was chartered by the State of Texas on March 8, 1978, and received its non-profit IRS status in October 1978. The original campus, located in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, officially opened on September 12, 1982, which was on Dr. Parker’s 62nd birthday. The first class of 27 students graduated in September 1985.

After the opening of the Irving campus, enrollment increased dramatically and the college moved to the larger main campus in Dallas in September 1989. In September 1993, enrollment reached 1,000 students. The original Irving campus was converted to a chiropractic wellness center where patients continue to receive chiropractic care.

Development of Chiropractic Wellness Clinics
The first Parker Chiropractic Wellness Clinic, for the training of interns, opened in May 1984 at the Irving campus. Within the first year, the center cared for over 1,000 patients. The Chiropractic Wellness Clinic in Irving has treated over 26,000 new patients.

By early 1992, the volume of patients and increased enrollment in the college necessitated the construction of a second outpatient facility. The second health care center was opened in the North Building on the Dallas campus in September 1993. the Dallas Chiropractic Wellness Clinic has cared for over 42,000 new patients. More than 750,000 chiropractic treatments have been provided to the patients at both centers.

In 1992, a three-acre parcel of land adjacent to the college was purchased for the new site of the Public Chiropractic Wellness Clinic and Student Chiropractic Wellness Clinic complex. With over 52,000 square feet and 200 additional parking spaces, the existing buildings on the site were renovated to create a 21st century wellness center. All patient services including examinations, chiropractic adjustments, laboratory tests, diagnostic X-rays, and physiotherapy modalities are self-contained in the center for the convenience of patients and the efficiency of interns, administrators and staff doctors.

Achieving High Goals
Parker College of Chiropractic is a truly diversified, international institution of higher learning. With students, graduates and applicants from every state, all Canadian provinces and approximately 100 foreign countries, The college continually seeks qualified men and women of all ages, races, creeds and national origins who aspire to the high honor of becoming Doctors of Chiropractic.

Doctor of Chiropractic Course Index

Following is a listing of the courses required in addition to a undergraduate bachelor degree for completion of the Doctor of Chiropractic Degree.

Basic Sciences

Department of Anatomical Sciences

Biology of Cells & Tissues
Clinical Biomechanics
Human Embrology
Human Gross Anatomy I
Gross Anatomy II
Neuroscience I
Human Neuroscience II
Systemic Anatomy

Department of Anatomical Sciences Undergraduate Program

Anatomy & Physiology I
Anatomy & Physiology II

Department of Physiologic and Pathologic Sciences

Biochemistry I
Biochemistry II
Microbiology
Pathology I
Pathology II
Pharmacology/Toxicology
Physiology I
Physiology II
Physiology III
Puplic Health/Immunology

Department of Physiologic and Pathologic Sciences Undergraduate Program

General Chemistry I
General Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry II
Physics I
Physics II

Clinical Sciences

Dept of Diagnosis and Clinical Applications

Advanced Clinical Diagnosis
Case Management I
Case Management II
Clinical Neurology
Clinical Nutrition
Clinical Orthopedics
Clinical Psychology
Dermatology
Differential Diagnosis and Case Study
Emergency Care
Lab Diagnosis I
Lab Diagnosis II
OB/GYN/PEDI
Physical Diagnosis
Research Methods
Wellness Concepts

Dept of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology Residency

Applications of Diagnostic Imaging
Bone Pathology I
Bone Pathology II
Fundamentals of Diagnostic Imaging
Normal Radiographic Anatomy
Soft Tissue Path

Chiropractic Sciences

Dept of Chiropractic Philosophy and Technique

Activator
Applied Kinesiology
Business Principles I
Business Principles II
Chiropractic Principles/Philosophy I
Chiropractic Principles/Philosophy II
Chirpractic Principles/Philosophy III
Chiropractic Principles/Philosophy IV
Communications
Diversified
Extra Spinal Analysis & Technique
Flexion/Distraction
Gonstead
Legal Aspects of Chiropractic
Palpation/Skeletal Analysis
Physiotheraphy I
Physiotheraphy II
Practice Management and Marketing
SOT
Thompson/Upper Cervical
B.E.S.T.

Health Care Centers

Health Care Center

Clinic I Lecture
Clinic II Lecture
Clinic V Lecture
Clinic VI Lecture