Council on Chiropractic Education

The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) and its Commission on Accreditation is recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education as an authority on the quality of training offered by chiropractic colleges.

The purpose of the CCE, as a reputable national organization can be briefly stated as: (1) advocating high standards of quality in chiropractic education; (2) establishing criteria of institutional excellence for educating primary health care chiropractic physicians; (3) inspecting and accrediting colleges through its Commission on Accreditation; and (4) publishing lists of those institutions which conform to its standards and policies.

Certain requirements must be met before a chiropractic college is considered for evaluation. First, requirements for a standard basic curriculum must be met. Second, prescriptions are met by CCE for faculty qualifications, faculty-student ratios, library holdings, and physical governance, administration, and financial stability. Third, a student entrance requirement of a minimum of two years of college work with a prescribed science content must be maintained.

The CCE is also recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation (CORPA), formerly the Council on Postsecondary Education (COPA), for programs leading to the doctor of chiropractic degree. CORPA, a private, non-profit educational association evaluates and recognizes responsible accrediting agencies in the United States.

In addition, CCE is a member of the Council of Specialized Accrediting Agencies (CSAA), and autonomous, nongovernmental accreditation agency. CSAA fosters the maintenance of high standards within the spectrum of postsecondary education.

Institutional Recognitions
Chiropractic colleges are recognized throughout the nation at both the federal and state levels. On the federal level, the U.S. Department of Education recognizes those colleges having status with the CCE. Certified chiropractic colleges are eligible for guaranteed student loans, NDSL, student workstudy programs, Interest Assistance Programs, and HEAL loans (Health Education Assistance Loans). Chiropractic is listed in the Occupational Handbook of the U.S. Department of Labor. Chiropractic colleges are eligible for loans from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In addition, the Veterans' Administration recognizes chiropractic institutions as institutions of higher education, and student visas for chiropractic students are granted by the U.S. Department of Immigration and Naturalization.

On the national level, a substantial number of accredited colleges in various states include a pre-chiropractic curriculum in their catalogs, and it is not an uncommon instance to witness the transfer of credit into regionally accredited institutions from chiropractic colleges. By early 1976, several chiropractic colleges had established cooperative programs with regionally accredited institutions of higher education. Many if not most of the chiropractic colleges have achieved accreditation at the regional level by agencies that accredit other colleges and universities. This recognition is in addition to the accreditation conferred by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). Both the regional accrediting agencies and the CCE are recognized by the U.S. Office of Education.

Chiropractic Colleges :: Chiropractic Education
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