Palmer College

Earn your doctor of chiropractic faster with Western + Palmer.

Through Western Colorado University’s partnership with Palmer College of Chiropractic, students majoring in Exercise & Sport Science or Pre-Health can fast-track their education through a 3+1 program. You’ll complete three years at Western, then begin your first year of chiropractic coursework at Palmer, either at the main campus in Davenport, Iowa, or at the Florida campus.

That first year at Palmer also counts toward your bachelor’s degree at Western, helping you graduate sooner and begin your professional training faster. This streamlined path allows you to earn your undergraduate and Doctor of Chiropractic degrees in less time—saving you both time and tuition.

Degree Plan and Requirements

Completion of 90 credits at Western, including General Education courses and courses in the Clinical Exercise Science major, which meet the prerequisite requirements for the Doctor of Chiropractic degree
- See list of courses below; 3+1 plans are available for each Palmer campus
3.0 cumulative GPA (may be considered with GPA of 2.75 with no guarantee of admission)
Recommendation from Western RESS department Chair (or designee)
Submission of application materials according to posted deadlines

Sample Course Sequence

Exercise & Sport Science Major – Clinical Exercise Science emphasis

Year	Semester	Course	Credits
First Year (34 credits)	Fall	ESS 181* or ESS 185* – Foundations of Exercise & Sport Science	3
		CHEM 111 – General Chemistry I	3
		CHEM 112 – General Chemistry Laboratory	1
		ENG 102* – Writing & Rhetoric I	3
		MATH 140 – College Algebra	3
	Spring	BIOL 150* – Biological Principles w/Lab	4
		CHEM 113 – General Chemistry II	3
		CHEM 114 – General Chemistry Laboratory II	1
		ENG 103* – Writing & Rhetoric II	3
		General Education + HDWR 100	3
Total – Year 1			34
Second Year (30 credits)	Fall	BIOL 372* – Human Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab)	4
		ESS 298 – Fitness Instruction	3
		PHYS 140 – Introductory Physics w/Lab	4
	Spring	BIOL 373* – Human Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab)	4
		ESS 275 – Motor Development & Learning	3
		General Education (multiple courses)	6
Total – Year 2			30
Third Year (31 credits)	Fall	ESS 330* – Exercise Physiology	3
		ESS 331* – Exercise Physiology Lab	1
		ESS 380 – Biomechanics	3
	Spring	ESS 320 – Psychology of Sport & Activity	3
		ESS 410 – Assessment & Exercise Prescription	3
		ESS 412 – Exercise Biochemistry	3
Electives	Fall Electives (ESS, minor, or 2nd major)	9
Electives	Spring Electives (ESS, minor, or 2nd major)	6
Total – Year 3			31

*Students must achieve a minimum of a “C” in both ESS 181 and ESS 185 to receive credit toward their ESS degree.

*BIOL 150 & CHEM 111 are milestone courses & prerequisites for BIOL 372.

*Students must achieve a minimum of a “C-“ in GE AREA I Essential Skills courses, including ENG 102 & ENG 103. First Aid and CPR Competency (to be maintained throughout program).

Fourth year taken at Palmer College of Chiropractic.

Select 30 credits of the following coursework to transfer back to WCU from Palmer College from the first-year curriculum that focuses on the basic sciences.

Note: Palmer Entrance Requirements of 90 semester hours with 24 being in the life and physical sciences; half with a lab

Doctor of Chiropractic Degree granted at successful completion of required coursework

Total for BS Degree granted by WCU = 125 semester credits

Trimester	Dept	Course Title	Main ID	FL ID	Credits
1st Trimester	ANAT	Gross Anatomy I	51203	51903	4
	ANAT	Neuroanatomy I	51204	51904	3
	ANAT	Embryology/Histology	51214	51914	3
	CBPM	Rights & Responsibilities	51111	51911	1
	PHCH	Biochemistry I	51331	51931	3
	PHCH	Physiology I	51335	51935	3
	PHIL	Chiro Philosophy & History	51122	51922	1
Total – 1st Trimester					18
2nd Trimester	ANAT	Gross Anatomy II	52205	52905	4
	ANAT	Spinal Anatomy	52214	52914	4
	PATH	General Pathology	52301	52901	3
	PHCH	Biochemistry II	52306	92906	3
	PHCH	Physiology II	52344	52944	3
	PHIL	Chiro Theory	52123	52923	1
	TECH	Palpation	52603	52903	1
Total – 2nd Trimester					19
3rd Trimester	ANAT	Neuroanatomy II	61208	61908	3
	PATH	Immunology	61421	61921	2
	PATH	Microbiology	61423	61923	3
	PATH	Systems Pathology I	61424	61924	3
	PHCH	Endocrinology	61345	61945	2
	PHCH	Physiology III	61346	61946	3
	RSCH	Foundations of Evidence-Based Clinical Practice	61112	61912	1
	TECH	Subluxation Analysis	61609	61909	2
Total – 3rd Trimester					19

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Palmer College

Earn your doctor of chiropractic faster with Western + Palmer.

Degree Plan and Requirements

The Basics

Requirements for Admission to Palmer College of Chiropractic

Major Coursework for the first 3 years at Western Colorado University

Required Coursework at Palmer

Fourth year taken at Palmer College of Chiropractic.