Chiropractor Program at WGU
Are You Looking for a Chiropractor Program?
Although WGU doesn’t currently offer a chiropractic program, there are other careers you can pursue that allow you to help patients in hands-on, meaningful ways. For example, WGU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (prelicensure), Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN-to-MSN), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN-to-MSN) programs all allow you to care for patients and prepare you career opportunities that allow you to make a difference in the lives of others and shape the future of the healthcare industry.
Skills for a Chiropractor and Similar Professions
Chiropractors are similar to nurses and nurse practitioners in that both provide direct patient care and share many other important qualities. Some of their specific overlapping responsibilities can include:
- Assessing patients’ medical conditions.
- Reviewing patients’ medical histories to determine the best course of action
- Performing physical examinations
- Conducting medical tests
- Advising patients on healthy lifestyle habits
- Referring patients to other healthcare professionals when necessary
Not only do many of their duties overlap, but so do their skills. They include:
- Critical and quick thinking
- Teamwork and collaborating with other healthcare professionals
- Empathy and interpersonal skills
While becoming a chiropractor is a great career choice, nurses enjoy great flexibility and opportunities. In fact, advanced nurses can take on nearly all the responsibilities of a chiropractor and more!
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Prelicensure)
WGU's prelicensure nursing pathway allows you to earn licensure as an RN and earn a BSN.
By getting your BSN and becoming a registered nurse, you’ll also have the freedom to explore a variety of nursing specialties and decide which one you like best. If you choose to become a chiropractor, you might not have the same number of opportunities or ability to pivot in your career.
WGU’s prelicensure nursing curriculum focuses on areas such as:
- Research
- Theory
- Leadership
- Community concepts
- Healthcare policy
- Therapeutic interventions
- Current trends in healthcare
Due to the clinical requirements associated with becoming an RN, this program is open to a limited number of aspiring nurses and is only available in select states, including:
- Florida
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Texas
- Utah
Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN-to-MSN)
If you are interested in a career as a chiropractor, you may be similarly interested in a career as a nurse practitioner. WGU offers two nurse practitioner MSN programs, one being a family nurse practitioner pathway.
A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is a registered nurse with specialized educational and clinical training in family practice and pediatrics. Some of their duties include:
- Evaluating patients
- Diagnosing patients
- Writing prescriptions
WGU’s FNP is currently available throughout the U.S. except for in the following states:
- California
- District of Columbia
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New York
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Washington
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN-to-MSN)
Another nurse practitioner program you can pursue after getting your BSN is the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner pathway. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP’s) are nurses qualified to diagnose and treat patients experiencing mental health challenges.
This degree program prepares you to:
- Assess individuals across the lifespan for mental health conditions
- Provide mental health care plans for individuals, families, and populations with mental health conditions
- Safely prescribe psychiatric medications
WGU’s PMHNP Master of Science in Nursing program is currently available throughout the U.S. except for in the following states:
- Arizona
- California
- District of Columbia
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New York
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Tennessee
- Washington
- Wisconsin
$75,000
Is the average annual salary for a chiropractor according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Careers Similar to Chiropractors
Becoming a chiropractor is a great career choice if you’re sure you want to focus on providing care to patients suffering from conditions related to the spine. However, if you want to broaden your opportunities, there are other career paths to consider, too.
With a BSN or nurse practitioner degree, you can take on more advanced positions in healthcare. This means you can earn a higher salary and have more job prospects.
What Does a Chiropractor Do?
Chiropractors perform several different duties in order to care for their patients, including:
- Analyzing patients’ posture, spine, and reflexes
- Providing neuromusculoskeletal therapy
- Performing other treatments, like applying heat or cold to a patient’s injured areas
What Does a Nurse Do?
Nurses can work in a variety of different settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, medical offices, clinics, and more. Though their responsibilities change based on where they work and the type of specialties they pursue, some common responsibilities may involve:
- Administering medication
- Preparing patients for surgeries and treatments
- Assisting doctors and surgeons
- Educating patients on healthy lifestyle choice
What Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Do?
Family Nurse Practitioners can perform more advanced practice nursing duties, which may include:
- Ordering and performing diagnostic tests
- Prescribing medications
- Developing patient treatment plans
- Treating acute and chronic illnesses
In some states, FNPs can even act as patients’ primary care providers and manage treatment plans
What Does a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Do?
Like FNP’s, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners can also take on more challenging duties thanks to their advanced education. These can include:
- Providing therapy
- Prescribing medications
- Providing physical and psychosocial assessments
- Evaluating the effectiveness of patients’ mental health treatments
Given the increasing need for mental health treatment, this is also a very stable career choice.
11%
Employment of chiropractors is projected to grow 11% from 2020 to 2030.
Why Choose WGU?
Why should you choose a nursing or health services coordination degree from WGU? Here are a few reasons it’s a smart choice.
- It’s much more affordable than a traditional 4-year school. We charge you a low, flat rate each six-month term, and you have the freedom to complete as many courses as you can in that time, cutting down on time spent in school and your education costs.
- It’s career focused. We design our courses with your employment in mind. The skills you learn in WGU’s degree programs are directly applicable to your future healthcare degree.
- It’s accessible. You can seek scholarships and financial aid to make our already low tuition even more affordable.
- It’s at your pace. Our competency-based education model lets you complete courses by proving what you know, meaning you can speed up your program and graduate faster.
Prepared for Success on the Job
*From a 2023 Harris Poll of 300 employers of WGU graduates.
100% of employers said that WGU graduates were prepared for their jobs.*
97% of employers said that they would hire another WGU grad.*
98% of employers said WGU graduates met or exceeded expectations.*
Which Degree Should You Choose?
Any of these degrees at WGU can prepare you for a future career making a difference in the lives of others. These degrees are a great alternative to a chiropractor degree program and can make sure you have training and credentials that will help you succeed in your career.
Health & Nursing
Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a...
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:
- Locations: Due to in-person clinical requirements, students must be full time residents of Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin to enroll in this program. The coursework in this program is offered online, but there are in-person requirements.
- Tuition: $8,755 per 6-month term for the first 4 terms of pre-nursing coursework and $8,755 per 6-month term for the remaining 4 terms of clinical nursing coursework.
- Time: This program has a set pace and an expected completion time of 4 years. Certain coursework may be accelerated to finish faster.
- WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.
- If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Community Health
- Women's and Children's Nursing
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Research
Health & Nursing
Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S. Nursing
This program for BSNs who have an active, unencumbered RN license prepares...
This program for BSNs who have an active, unencumbered RN license prepares you to become a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner.
- Locations: Due to the clinical requirements of this degree program, the FNP is currently NOT available to students who have a permanent residence in the following states: California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington.
- Time: It takes 2.5 years to complete the coursework and clinical components of this degree program.
- Tuition: $6,850 per six-month term.
- Courses: 16 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Leadership and Management
- Adult Primary Care
- Pediatric Primary Care
- Special Populations Primary Care
- Advanced Health Assessment
Students must have a permanent and active license from a state that is not listed above, must complete the internships in that state, and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state. See more state-specific information related to nursing licensure. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. More about compact licenses.
Health & Nursing
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S. Nursing
This program for BSNs who have an active, unencumbered RN license prepares...
This program for BSNs who have an active, unencumbered RN license prepares you to become a board-certified Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
- Locations: Due to the clinical requirements of this degree program, the PMHNP program at WGU is currently NOT open to students who have a permanent residence in the following states: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin.
- Time: It takes 2.5 years to complete the coursework and clinical components of this degree program.
- Tuition and fees: $6,955 per six-month term.
- Courses: 17 total courses in this program.
This program is for current RNs who have earned their BSN and are ready to move forward in their career. This MSN program prepares students to become licensed as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in select states.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Assessment and Diagnostics
- Behavioral health
- Advanced Pharmacology
Students must have a permanent and active license from a state that is not listed above, must complete the internships in that state, and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state. See more state-specific information related to nursing licensure. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. More about compact licenses.
Health & Nursing
Family Nurse Practitioner – Post-Master's Certificate
This is a program for individuals who already have an MSN and are looking...
This is a program for individuals who already have an MSN and are looking to now become a family nurse practitioner with a post-master's certificate program.
- Locations: Due to the clinical requirements of this degree program, the FNP is currently NOT available to students who have a permanent residence in the following states: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington.
- Time: This program can be finished within 1.5 years, depending on transfer credit and how quickly you move through core coursework. Please note the clinical components of this program are set.
- Tuition: $6,850 per six-month term.
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Pediatric Primary Care
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Adult Primary Care
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Special Populations Primary Care
Students must have a permanent and active license from a state that is not listed above, must complete the internships in that state, and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state. See more state-specific information related to nursing licensure. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. More about compact licenses.
Health & Nursing
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Post-Master's Certificate
This program is for current RNs who already have earned an MSN and are...
This program is for current RNs who already have earned an MSN and are wanting to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through a post-master's certificate program.
- Locations: Due to the clinical requirements of this degree program, the PMHNP post-master's certificate program at WGU is currently NOT open to students who have a permanent residence in the following states: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin.
- Time: This program can be finished within 1.5 years, depending on transfer credit and how quickly you move through core coursework. Please note the clinical components of this program are set.
- Tuition and fees: $6,955 per six-month term.
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program.
This program is for current RNs who have earned their MSN but are wanting to add a specilization to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. This post-master's certificate program is only available in select states.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Assessment and Diagnostics
- Behavioral health
- Advanced Pharmacology
Students must have a permanent and active license from a state that is not listed above, must complete the internships in that state, and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state. See more state-specific information related to nursing licensure. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. More about compact licenses.
