Holistic Wellness Careers 101

Things to Consider:

1. Programs grant the doctoral (D.C.) degree after four years of study and training
2. Formal education and training focus on musculoskeletal anatomy, spinal adjustment, manipulation, and radiology
3. Post-graduation professionals may pursue specialty diplomas in ten practice areas including orthopedics and acupuncture
4. Chiropractors are licensed in all 50 states
5. Job outlook is excellent

Work Description
Chiropractors diagnose and treat patients with disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Practice is based on the principle that spine misalignments affect the nervous system leading to increased susceptibility to disease and other aspects of diminished health. As such chiropractors emphasize patient wellness through spine and neck adjustments. Chiropractors take patient histories and order tests including X-rays and other diagnostic imaging and may use a range of therapeutic techniques such as heat, water, light, massage, ultrasound, electric currents, and acupuncture. They may not prescribe medications nor perform major surgery. Most chiropractors work in outpatient facilities and many in their own practice.

Basic Pre-Chiropractic Curriculum
The following courses are required by most chiropractic programs in the United States as the minimum background needed for acceptance. Applicants seeking admission to a D.C. program should contact the schools they are interested in attending for information on specific prerequisites and admission requirements. Students may consult the Association of Chiropractic Colleges website to find programs and to research general requirements for application. This is an overview of course suggestions for students who are interested in pursuing this pathway:

Major selection
Any undergraduate major is acceptable provided that you have completed the required pre-requisite courses. Application is highly competitive and therefore students should have a strong overall GPA (>3.0) and perform well (“C” or better) in pre-requisite courses to be in consideration.

Applying to Chiropractic School
Most schools participate in the Chiropractic Centralized Application Service (ChiroCAS) which allows students to use a single web-based application and one set of materials to apply to multiple programs. Go to the ChiroCAS website for more information.

Pre-Chiro Advising

Students must regularly meet with their academic advisor in the major and are also encouraged to meet with a Health Professions Advisor (HPA) as they move forward with plans to pursue a career in chiropractic to provide additional support in compilation of a strong portfolio for admission consideration. Pre-chiro applicants are encouraged to consider obtain a letter packet as a critical component of their application portfolio. A Letter Packet is a composite letter that includes full content of all required evaluator letters, but it does not additionally include a pre-health committee evaluation. In its place, we include an institutional cover sheet from the Pre-Health Advising Program. The Pre-Health Advising Program’s institutional cover sheet provides context to your academic and experiential preparation.

Things to Consider:

1. Formal education and training requires 4 years of Naturopathic Medical School to receive the N.D. degree which is required for practice in the U.S.
2. Naturopaths emphasize disease prevention and wellness; they work in private practices or clinics as primary care practitioners
3. Naturopathic education includes exposure to clinical nutrition, botanical and homeopathic medicine, acupuncture, and counseling
4. Naturopathic physicians are currently licensed in only 23 states and a few U.S. territories (including D.C. and Puerto Rico) and Canadian provinces

Work Description
Naturopaths specialize in natural and holistic (non-toxic) approaches to health and wellness working primarily as primary care practitioners counseling patients. Naturopathic physicians take into account individual physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, and other factors that affect wellness and emphasize the prevention of disease as educators assessing risk factors and counseling patients to become responsible for their health. Naturopathic practice includes the following diagnostic and therapeutic modalities: clinical and laboratory diagnostic testing, nutritional medicine, botanical medicine, naturopathic physical medicine (including naturopathic manipulative therapy), public health measures, hygiene, counseling, minor surgery, homeopathy, acupuncture, prescription medication, intravenous and injection therapy, and naturopathic obstetrics (natural childbirth).
23 states (including Pennsylvania), the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands have licensing or regulation laws for naturopathic doctors. In these states, naturopathic doctors are required to graduate from an accredited four-year residential naturopathic medical school and pass an extensive postdoctoral board examination (NPLEX) to receive a license. For a list of states where N.D.s are licensed visit the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Association.

Basic Pre-Naturopathic Medicine Curriculum
The following courses are required by most naturopathic programs in the United States as the minimum background needed for acceptance. Applicants seeking admission to an N.D. program should contact the schools they are interested in attending for information on specific prerequisites and admission requirements. Students may also refer to the American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges website for specific requirements at the programs in which they are interested.

Major selection
Any undergraduate major is acceptable provided that you have completed the required pre-requisite courses and taken the application exam (GRE) if required. Application is highly competitive and therefore students should have a strong overall GPA (>3.0) and perform well (“C” or better) in pre-requisite courses to be in consideration.

Applying to Programs in Naturopathic Medicine
Some Naturopathic Medical schools participate in the Naturopathic Doctor Centralized Application Service (NDCAS) which allows students to use a single web-based application and one set of materials to apply to multiple programs. Go to NDCAS for more information.

Pre-Naturopathic Medicine Advising

Students must regularly meet with their academic advisor in the major and are also encouraged to meet with a Health Professions Advisor (HPA) as they move forward with plans to pursue a career in naturopathic medicine to provide additional support in compilation of a strong portfolio for admission consideration. Pre-naturopathic applicants are encouraged to consider obtain a letter packet as a critical component of their application portfolio. A Letter Packet is a composite letter that includes full content of all required evaluator letters, but it does not additionally include a pre-health committee evaluation. In its place, we include an institutional cover sheet from the Pre-Health Advising Program. The Pre-Health Advising Program’s institutional cover sheet provides context to your academic and experiential preparation.