Doctor of Chiropractic

1. Satisfactory completion of all courses and clinic requirements within seven consecutive calendar years from the time of matriculation to the DCP with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
2. Completion of all courses in the Texas Chiropractic College curriculum (or their equivalent) with completion of over one-third of the total credits required for graduation, inclusive of Clinic Clerkship I, II, III, and IV MUST be completed in residence at TCC.
3. Fulfillment of the clinical internship requirements.
4. Both quantitative and qualitative requirements reflect standards set forth by both the College and the Council on Chiropractic Education.
5. All students must sit for all six sections of NBCE II prior to graduation.
6. Submission of the Campus and Intern Clearance Forms to the Registrar’s Office.
7. Freedom from all indebtedness and other obligations to the College.

There are four departments that contribute instruction to the Doctor of Chiropractic Program.

1. Department of Basic Sciences
2. Department of Chiropractic Sciences
3. Department of Clinical Sciences
4. Department of Clinics 

Students begin their clinical training in trimester seven in the Clinical Chiropractic Clerkship I (CCC I) course located in Moody Health Center, where they are taught and evaluated in examination, diagnosis and treatment procedures appropriate to the practice of chiropractic. Students enter CCC II in the eighth trimester after completing all prerequisite courses in the first seven trimesters of the curriculum in Good Academic Standing and successfully completing CCC I and the clinic proficiency and entrance examination (CSCE I and CSCE II). The student is expected to continue the development of skills necessary for total patient management including consultation, neurological and orthopedic diagnosis, clinical laboratory diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, adjusting technique and application of adjunctive therapy as indicated. Student are given clinical competency assessment throughout their internship to determine areas of strength and weakness. Completion of a clinic exit examination (CSCE IV) with a passing score will be required for graduation. Requirements for the completion of clinic are described in the clinic manual and CCC syllabi.

The Texas Department of Health (Rule 97.64) requires that all persons enrolled in health-related courses in institutions of higher education must have been immunized or submit an affidavit for exclusion, prior to direct patient contact, against:

• Tetanus-Diphtheria Vaccine
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccines
• Hepatitis B Vaccine
• Varicella Vaccine

These immunization requirements must be satisfied before students are allowed in student, outpatient clinic or clinical rotations all of which include direct patient contact. Full information on rule 97.64 is available from the Registrar’s Office.

Unsupervised application of any treatment including an HVLA (high velocity, low amplitude) thrust by a student is not allowed under any circumstance. Students may only deliver the application of any treatment including an HVLA thrust if supervised, in person, by a full time or adjunct DC faculty in settings specifically identified by the college for that purpose, or by a licensed DC who has been officially authorized to supervise students through the regular curriculum of TCC.

Any consultation with licensed TCC personnel outside of the MHC regarding a specific patient is only allowed with the direct consent of the Attending Clinician assigned to the case. Interns may NOT seek consultations with non-MHC personnel of their own accord. After approved consultation, interns must report any recommendations from the consultant back to the Attending Clinician who, in turn, makes the final judgement as to the safety, effectiveness and appropriateness of the suggested management regimen.

Externship IX

• Allows Clinic III intern to spend a maximum of 4 weeks with approved AFP doctor.
• Minimum 27 hours per week once minimum requirements are met and approved.
• Attendance is mandatory and monitored.
• This program allows intern to assist the program doctor in limited tasks excluding manipulation.

Externship X

• Allows Clinic IV intern to spend a minimum of a 2 weeks with approved AFP doctor.
• Intern must have taken National Boards Parts I & II.
• Minimum 31 hours per week program once clinic credits are complete.
• Attendance is mandatory and monitored.
• This program allows intern to assist the program doctor in limited tasks excluding manipulation.

Preceptorship

• Allows Clinic IV intern to spend up to twelve weeks with a specific approved field doctor.
• Intern must have taken National Boards Parts I & II.
• Program contains a minimum of 31 hours per week.
• Attendance is mandatory and monitored.
• Program includes all aspects of patient care, including manipulation under direct supervision.

All students must sit for the NBCE Part II examination as a requirement to earn the Doctor of Chiropractic degree.

* Detailed information about these programs can be obtained from the Clinic Chief of Staff.

Interprofessional Education Rotations Program

The Texas Chiropractic College Interprofessional Education Rotations Program has been in existence since 1985. We pride ourselves in training future Doctors of Chiropractic to be an integral part of a health care delivery team. This valuable and challenging program allows qualified senior interns to observe medical health care professionals in learning allopathic/osteopathic approaches to patient care. The rotations are designed to promote communication between the medical professional and the chiropractic student intern. The program allows for the exchange of information on diagnosis, treatment, and research, while encouraging an appropriate basis for referrals between the professions. TCC student interns have the option to rotate through various Houston area doctors’ offices specializing in orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, sports medicine, rheumatology, pain management, family medicine, and others. The student intern then has the opportunity to observe the doctor in a hospital surgery setting. This educational program is an enlightening experience for chiropractic student interns and medical doctors alike. There is a specific application process for interns enrolled in CCC III and CCC IV for participation in these programs. Applicants should discuss with the Chief Academic Officer or the Clinic Chief of Staff for additional details of these programs.

Community Outreach Program

Interns are required to complete 8 community outreach hours during CCCII-IV. For details of this requirement, refer to the Clinic Handbook.