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Doctor of Chiropractic (PhD)

Program Info

Degree Type:
Graduate
Questions?
(800) 414-5756
Application Deadline
May 1, 2027 for Fall 2027 start September 1, 2027 for Spring 2028 start
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*Available for International Students
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Gain Practice-Ready Skills with TROY's Doctor of Chiropractic

If you're drawn to a hands-on healthcare career that helps people improve their mobility and performance, reduce their pain and enhance their overall well-being, Troy University's Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program gives you a direct path into this well-established, in-demand profession. The first of its kind at a public university in the Southeast, TROY's DC degree connects you to expanding regional healthcare networks and immerses you in labs, clinical rotations and other real-world practice environments. Through a focus on integrated and interdisciplinary healthcare, you'll learn how to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes — fully preparing you for National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) licensure and a successful career.

Everrett Hall Building
“By becoming only the second public institution in the nation to offer this program, we are not only breaking new ground in higher education but also addressing a critical need for healthcare professionals in our region. This program exemplifies our mission to provide innovative, affordable education that serves our communities.”
Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. | Chancellor, Troy University

Achieve a Chiropractic School Education with a Public University Advantage

TROY's program holds a rare distinction in chiropractic education: It's the first public DC degree program in the Southeast and only the second offered by a public doctoral university in the country. This means you gain access to high-quality, research-informed and deeper integrated health care training at a more affordable rate than you might find at a private chiropractic school. At TROY, you'll join a mission-driven effort to expand healthcare access across Alabama and the region. You'll be supported by the resources, stability and academic reputation of a nationally recognized public institution, so you're positioned for licensure, practice and long-term career success. 

View admission requirements and steps to apply.
Graduate Admissions

Prepare for Chiropractic Career Opportunities with Hands-On Clinical Practice

Your clinical training begins from day one with real-world, hands-on experience in labs, clinical environments and regional healthcare settings across the Wiregrass. TROY's curriculum is intentionally designed to prepare you for NBCE licensure through patient-centered assessment, clinical reasoning and evidence-based integrated and integrative practices — hallmarks of a high-quality chiropractic education. As a public university with deep healthcare partnerships, TROY offers clinical access and interdisciplinary exposure that you may not experience in a traditional chiropractic school setting, including sports chiropractic, athletic medicine and tactical performance care, preparing you to work with active populations and athletes. That means you'll graduate with a chiropractic degree backed by strong regional demand and a supportive clinical network — prepared with the practical skills and professional insight needed to serve patients throughout Alabama and beyond. 
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Doctor of Chiropractic Curriculum

While specific courses may vary from year to year, your chiropractic coursework may include:
  • Movement Analysis and Clinical Biomechanics
  • Advanced Pathophysiology
  • Clinical Diagnosis and Imaging I
  • NBCE Preparation
  • Clinical In/externship
Catalog/Degree Information

Doctor of Chiropractic Program Locations

Earn your DC degree on the Dothan Campus with direct access to labs, clinics and faculty mentors. For more information about program availability and delivery options, call 1-800-414-5756. 

Dothan Campus

Chiropractic Jobs and Career Opportunities

With the DC degree from TROY, you can pursue a growing and rewarding career in healthcare. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the chiropractic job outlook is projected to grow 10% over the next decade, reflecting strong demand for skilled practitioners. Earning potential is also strong, with the average doctor of chiropractic salary, in private practice, around $89,000 and as high as $134,000 in Alaska. Doctors of chiropractic in medical settings, e.g. hospitals, may earn up to $125,000 on average. Through hands-on, practice-ready training at TROY, you'll be prepared to earn a DC salary in private practice, integrated medicine clinics, sports chiropractic settings, athletic medicine environments and other clinical settings.

Faculty Profiles

Dr. Timothy Stark

Dr. Timothy Stark

Timothy Stark, MPhil, MBA, DC, DACBSP, ICSC, CSCS, EMT, FICC, is the Director of TROY's DC program. He completed a bachelor's degree at North Dakota State University in Corporate Fitness (Exercise Physiology) and then went on to Northwestern College of Chiropractic, where he completed his Doctor of Chiropractic degree and subsequently pioneered an American clinical chiropractic residency in the specialty of Sports Injuries and Rehabilitation. After almost ten years of fulltime practice, and in the last twenty years, he has transitioned from being a full-time lecturer & Chair of the Clinical Sciences Department at National University of Health Sciences, to the Dean of the College of Chiropractic at Northwestern Health Sciences University, and seven years at NWHSU as the Director of the Human Performance Center. In recent years, he has mentored a number of start-up businesses and has held academic and research leadership positions at Bismarck State College. His leadership history and operational success have resulted in requests to advise other leadership boards, including the American Chiropractic Association Sports Council and the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians.
Learn more about our faculty 334-983-6565 tstark@troy.edu
Dr. LaGary Carter

Dr. LaGary Carter

Dr. LaGary Carter serves as the Dean of TROY's College of Health Sciences. He brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education. His professional background includes work as a certified and licensed Adult and Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse and Clinical Exercise Physiologist, with experience in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, cardiovascular nursing, diagnostic testing and internal medicine.
Learn more about our faculty 334-670-3712 blcarter@troy.edu

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FAQ About the Doctor of Chiropractic Program

Learn more about the chiropractic field and our program.
What is a doctor of chiropractic, and how does this program prepare me for the field?
A Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) is a portal of entry healthcare professional who specializes in noninvasive, whole-body neuro-musculoskeletal care. Through TROY's Doctor of Chiropractic degree, you gain a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, diagnostics, and evidence-based practice that prepares you to excel in a wide range of chiropractic career opportunities. 
Will TROY's DC degree teach me how to become a portal of entry doctor?
Yes — TROY's program provides you with a clear path into the healthcare field and chiropractic profession. You'll complete a rigorous curriculum, hands-on clinical training and applied learning experiences that build the skills needed for chiropractic jobs in private practice, integrated and integrative clinics, and community care settings.
How long does it take to become a doctor of chiropractic?
The timeline varies by institution, but most students complete their training in under four years after meeting prerequisite requirements. TROY's current curriculum plan allows our students to complete the program in nine semesters or three years.
MD vs DC: What is the difference and how do I know which path to choose?
A Medical Doctor (MD) focuses on diagnosing and treating disease through medical and surgical methods, while a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), though still a portal of entry healthcare provider, specializes in non-surgical neuro-musculoskeletal care and whole-body performance and wellness. The right path depends on the type of patient care you want to provide. If you're drawn to hands-on, mobility-focused work that supports performance and function, the chiropractic route may be the best fit. TROY's Doctor of Chiropractic degree prepares you for this path through clinical training and evidence-based practice aligned with NBCE expectations.
What can I do with a chiropractic degree after graduation?
Graduates pursue roles in sports performance, family practice, rehabilitation clinics, teaching, research, and community health. For those comparing MD vs DC pathways, chiropractic careers stand out for their focus on noninvasive or nonsurgical care, functional movement and patient-centered wellness, all of which support a strong and growing job outlook.
Is TROY's Doctor of Chiropractic program better than a traditional chiropractic school?
TROY offers the first public Doctor of Chiropractic program in the Southeast and one of only two at a public doctoral university nationwide. This means access to high-quality, interdisciplinary, research-informed training and a more affordable alternative than many private chiropractic school options.

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News

Dr. LaGary Carter announcing the Doctor of Chiropractic program.

Troy University Announces ACHE approval of Doctor of Chiropractic Program

Troy University today announced the approval from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) of a new Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) program at its Dothan Campus.

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