Bachelor of Science in Human Biology for Chiropractic Students
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Biology Degree Completion Program allows College of Chiropractic students to complete the course requirements for a bachelor's degree. Students may either complete a bachelor's degree or earn a second bachelor's degree.
Admission
Students may apply for the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Completion Program at any time if they are a prospective student in the application process for the Chiropractic program or currently enrolled in the College of Chiropractic. Please contact the Office of Admissions for more information.
In addition to meeting the qualifications of a student of the College of Health and Wellness, applicants to or students currently enrolled in and continuing in the College of Chiropractic must meet the following admission requirements for the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Biology Degree Completion Program:
- High school diploma or General Education Development diploma (GED)
- Successful completion of approximately 60 semester baccalaureate level credits at a regionally accredited institution
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better
- Complete an admission application
Benefits of the BS in Human Biology Degree Completion Program:
- Develop your professional skills – including effective oral and written communications.
- Strengthen your understanding of the philosophical foundations for the scientific method, healthcare ethics and healthcare research.
- Improve your professional credentials – including enhancing your credibility as an expert witness in court cases.
- Expand your choices for chiropractic licensure – many states require a bachelor’s degree for chiropractic licensure. For more information, contact the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards.
- Increase your chances to be included in managed care networks – some managed care organizations show a preference for chiropractors with a bachelor’s degree.
- Expand your career options beyond clinical practice and be able to pursue other degree programs and professions, including teaching and research. Many master’s degree and Ph.D. programs require a bachelor’s degree as an entrance requirement.
Course Requirements and Curriculum Overview
- Undergraduate General Education Requirement (Section A)
- Foundational Sciences Requirement (Section B)
- Major Requirement - courses taken in the Doctor of Chiropractic program at Northwestern (Section C)
- Health Professions Core Requirement (Section D)
Section A: Undergraduate General Education Requirement (30 credits)
Your Undergraduate General Education requirement must include 30 semester credits (45 quarter credits) overall with a minimum of 4 semester credits (6 quarter credits) in each of four categories:
- Communications (4 credits)
- Social Sciences (4 credits)
- Humanities (4 credits)
- Natural Sciences/Math (4 credits)
- Additional credits in any of the above categories (14 credits)
You may have completed some, or all, of these courses as part of your 90-credit pre-chiropractic admission requirements.
Section B: Foundational Sciences Requirement (27.5 credits)
You may have completed some, or all, of these courses as part of your pre-chiropractic admission requirements.
If you need to complete these requirements, most of these courses are offered in the Undergraduate Health Sciences program - and many are taught in an accelerated format.
Section C: Major Requirement Courses (36.25 credits)
Courses taken in the College of Chiropractic:
Section D: Health Professions Core Requirement (12 credits)
12 credits from the following list of courses offered in the Undergraduate Health Sciences program:
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of all program course requirements.
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better for courses taken at NWHSU toward the BSHB