Pre-Chiropractic, Pre-Osteopathy, Pre-Podiatry
A minimum of 90 semester hours is required for admission to most colleges of
chiropractic, osteopathic medicine, or podiatry. However, students pursuing these programs are
expected to choose a major so that they can be working towards a baccalaureate degree concurrently
with the pre-professional program. This requires a major/minor combination or a comprehensive major
as well as completion of the UNK general studies requirements and other degree requirements as set
forth in the college catalog. These programs do not specify which major a student should pursue in
conjunction with his/her pre-professional studies. Chemistry and biology majors are commonly chosen
but other science majors, psychobiology, psychology, business or the humanities are acceptable as
long as the core science courses in chemistry, biology and physics are included.
Competition for positions in these schools is intense and admission is never guaranteed.
Admission is based on scholastic record, MCAT scores (if required), personal recommendations, an
interview with members of the admissions committee, shadowing, health care exposure and other
extra-curricular activities.
The following curriculum will fulfill the admissions requirements at most chiropractic,
osteopathic and podiatry schools. Students should check with the specific school(s) to which they
intend to apply to ensure that all requirements are met.
- A. Requirements
- Take ONE of the following options:
- Take 2 courses:
- BIOL 103GS, General Biology - 4 hours
- BIOL 215GS, Human Physiology - 4 hours
- OR take 2 courses:
- BIOL 225, Anatomy and Physiology - 4 hours
(Prereq: CHEM 145 or CHEM 150 or CHEM 160; three years of high school science including
biology and a minimum score of 20 on the ACT or equivalent or a college science course)
- BIOL 226, Anatomy and Physiology - 4 hours
- Take all of the following:
- CHEM 160GS, General Chemistry - 3 hours
(see prerequisites)
- CHEM 160LGS, General Chemistry Laboratory - 1
hour
- CHEM 161GS, General Chemistry - 3 hours
- CHEM 161LGS, General Chemistry Laboratory - 1
hour
- CHEM 360, Organic Chemistry - 4 hours
- CHEM 360L, Organic Chemistry Laboratory - 1
hour
- CHEM 361, Organic Chemistry - 4 hours
- CHEM 361L, Organic Chemistry Laboratory - 1
hour
- ENG 101GS, Expository Writing I - 3 hours (Prereq:
ENG 100A or English ACT score of 15 or above)
- ENG 102GS, Expository Writing II - 3 hours
(Prereq: ENG 101GS or
ACT English score of 30 or above)
- PHYS 205GS, General Physics - 5 hours
- PHYS 206GS, General Physics - 5 hours
- PSY 203GS, General Psychology - 3 hours
- SOC 100GS, Introduction to Sociology - 3 hours
- MATH 102*, College Algebra - 3 hours
- *Students with sufficient preparation may enter the mathematics program at a higher
level.
B. Electives- Electives in the humanities and social sciences are required and may include English
literature courses, foreign language, psychology, philosophy, political science, economics,
sociology and fine arts courses. Other electives, including upper division biology and chemistry
courses, are also recommended. See your advisor for suggestions.
-
- **Students should be aware of prerequisites on all courses and plan their coursework
accordingly.
C. Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT):- The MCAT is required for admission to osteopathic and podiatry schools and should be taken
once all required courses have been completed. See your advisor for more information.
**Students who are accepted into chiropractic,
osteopathy or podiatry school prior to completing a baccalaureate degree at UNK may be
eligible to receive a BS degree in Health Science if they
have completed all General Studies requirements and have at
least 90 semester hours completed in pre-chiro, pre-osteo or pre-podiatry studies.
