COLLEGE OF CHIROPRACTIC
Make your mark
RIGHT NOW
you are probably bursting with questions. What does it take to become a chiropractor? How is Life University different? Where do I go from here? Will I succeed? The answers to these questions could alter the course of your career, your life, even the way you think and feel about who you are and the world you want to inhabit. In fact, that is exactly what I hope these questions will do for you – I hope they will change you. I hope they will help you begin to recreate your whole life and your whole self for the better. At Life University, change is at the core of all we are and all we do. We exist to change our patients’ lives, to change the paradigm of disease-based “sick care,” and, ultimately, to change the world for the better through Chiropractic. We know it’s a tall order. We know it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, underprepared, and even a bit scared when faced with such immense possibilities. But we also know the incredible sense of power and purpose that comes when you realize, unquestionably, what you were born to do and to be. You may not be there, yet. But the fact that you are currently holding this book in your hands tells me that you are on your way. Of course, I hope that when you finish reading it, you will know that you are on your way to LIFE. Beyond that, however, I hope you come away from these pages feeling more certain of who you are and what you want to become – whether or not that involves a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life University. Vitalism tells us that the best we can ever be, is what we truly are; that we already and always have an infinite capacity to reach our optimal potential; and that the journey can start right here, right now.
Finding your way around this book:
2 What is the LIFE Movement?
4 How Will You Make Your Mark?
6 LIFE by the Numbers
8 Life University College of Chiropractic: Life at LIFE
14 On or Off Campus, There’s Always Something Happening Here
18 A Year in the LIFE of a College of Chiropractic Student
So what are you waiting for? Yours in Chiropractic, President Guy F. Riekeman, D.C.
28 Chiropractic Education: An Investment in Your Future
30 Getting Started: How to Apply
32 “You Know You Go to LIFE When...”
BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER… LIFE UNIVERSITY OFFERS YOU MORE THAN JUST A CHIROPRACTIC DEGREE.
WE OFFER A CORE PHILOSOPHY DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU THE BEST YOU CAN BE.
WE CALL IT THE LIFE MOVEMENT.
Eight Core Proficiencies: We’re not just here to train great chiropractors; we’re here to train great leaders, thinkers and doers. As part of your LIFE education, you’ll take courses on character (Integrity & Citizenship, Leadership & Entrepreneurship), personal development (Belief Systems & Performance, Learning Theory & Critical Thinking), philosophy (Philosophy of Human Existence & Health Care Policy, Contemporary Scientific Paradigms), and thought leadership (Communication & Relationship Theory, Integrative Change). These “Eight Ways to Great” will become part of who you are, and will serve as touchstones to guide you as you make your way in the world – and change it for the better. The Wellness Portfolio: Having a chiropractic view of wellness means thinking bigger and digging deeper when it comes to defining “health.” We believe true health is multi-dimensional – six-dimensional, to be exact – encompassing an optimal balance of the Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social, Environmental and Spiritual aspects of ourselves. Together, these six dimensions of health form the foundation of our Wellness Portfolio, a way of looking at and applying ideas of total, chiropractic wellness which underlies all we do at LIFE – from the academic and personal resources we offer our students to the design of our campus village.
Vitalistic Philosophy: What is Vitalism? We’ll give you the short answer, as the long answer is one we hope you will spend the rest of your life discovering, rediscovering and applying to everything you are and everything you do. Vitalism is the understanding and the principle that the human body is a self-organizing, self-maintaining and self-healing organism. It’s a philosophy centered on the truth that all life possesses its own innate, guiding intelligence, and that it is this vital force – and nothing else – that gives us the power to heal, grow, adapt and live lives of optimal performance and significance. Life is Vitalism, and Vitalism is LIFE. Lasting Purpose: As chiropractors, we are called to a higher purpose to leave the world a better place than we found it – whether that means devoting our lives to spreading Chiropractic across the globe, or going the extra mile, every day, with every patient, to ensure that no one leaves our offices without feeling uplifted, understood and well cared-for. To put it simply, Lasting Purpose is our personal commitment “To Give, To Do, To Love, To Serve – out of a Sense of Abundance.” The LIFE Movement: The LIFE Movement is what happens when you combine the Eight Core Proficiencies, The Wellness Portfolio, Vitalistic Philosophy and Lasting Purpose into one life-changing, lifelong journey. It is an unstoppable flow of ideas, philosophies, values, inspirations, and ways of being and doing, funneled into an integrative worldview unlike any other; one that will empower you to create your life and to impact the lives of others in ways you have yet to imagine. So go ahead, turn the page, and take your first step.
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What do you want from your life? H
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your
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Step One: It’s time to ask yourself a few questions… In order to decide what you want to become, you need to know who you are. So we have a challenge for you. Before you race ahead to the rest of this book, get to know YOU a little better. “Who am I?” is a pretty enormous question. So is “What do I want from my life?” But these are some of the most important questions you will ever ask yourself, so it’s well worth spending some time (minutes, days, weeks) truly considering just what makes you tick. There are many ways to be a chiropractor. In order to help you discover your path, we’ve taken these two big-picture questions and broken them into three smaller pieces. We’ve even thrown in some potential answers and organized them in a handy flowchart, to make the journey a little easier. Take the challenge. Then take a closer look at how LIFE can help you become who you want to be, and live the life you want.
THE
C HALLENGE
1.
What am I passionate about?
2.
What moves me?
3.
What ideas resonate with me? I want to change people’s lives. I want to spend time with people. I am a chiropractic family practitioner. I am a sports chiropractor.
4
I want to work in a fitness facility. I want to work with a sports team.
r LIFE?
“There is no formula for being a chiropractor. We each choose our own path according to what moves us most, whether that’s teaching the next generation of DCs, publishing chiropractic research, or serving and educating your community through your private practice – like I do.” - Austin Cohen, D.C. (‘09)
I am a traveler. I am an inventor.
I am a researcher.
I am creative. I am an innovator.
I am curious.
? I love to share new ideas.
I am a change agent. I am an entrepreneur.
I want to be my own boss and create a job I love.
I want a great job and a great family life. I am a multi-disciplinary health care provider.
I am going to make a difference.
I want to be a leader. I love to be part of the solution.
I am a chiropractor.
I want to help people. I like to teach and help others.
I want to help people understand how to help themselves be healthy.
I am a teacher.
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LIFE BY THE NUMBERS 17:1 – Student-faculty ratio 52 – Student clubs and organizations 1,000,000 – Amount of financial aid, in dollars, available to chiropractic students through D.C. scholarships (19 in all) 6 – Chiropractic techniques taught as part of the core curriculum 18 – Additional techniques offered through student clubs and electives 60,000 – Patient visits at LIFE’s on-campus outpatient clinic each year 2,287 – Students, on average, receive tutoring or supplemental instruction through LIFE’s Student Success Center per quarter 97 – Percent of those students who report tutoring or supplemental instruction has helped them become more effective learners 120 – Adjusting tables in the on-campus student and outpatient clinics (60 in each) 65 – Registered carpools in 2010 (62 added since the groundbreaking of the new Lyceum Park green gathering space, which replaced several parking lots starting in Spring 2010!)
16,600 – Average amount, in pounds, of paper recycled on campus each year 14 – Chiropractic’s 2010 rank among CNN & Money Magazine’s top 50 careers 20 – Expected growth, in percent, of Chiropractic as a profession by the year 2018; that equates to 10,000 new chiropractors! 24 – National Championship titles won by LIFE’s athletic teams 1 – National ranking of LIFE’s undergraduate rugby team (according to rugbymag.com)
37 – Percent of students who identify as black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander or Native American 31 – Countries represented by our international students 44 – Percent of D.C. students who are female (Winter 2013 enrollment) 341 – Credits in the D.C. curriculum 33 – Bones in the human spine
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ZERO IC T C A R P O R I CH S E I T I S R E V UNI N A H T R E G R LA LIFE
O 104 ACRES OF L AND
LN I
S U P M A EF ’S C
10 weeks to complete your pre-requisites for the D.C. program on the accelerated track
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LIFE UNIVERSITY: COLLEGE OF CHIROPRACTIC
Life at LIFE When you attend classes with the same people 6-8 hours a day, 200 days a year, you get real close, real fast. Life University’s intensive, smallscale D.C. program, combined with our intimate, private campus setting and values-based educational philosophy, mean we function more like a close-knit neighborhood than a bustling educational institution. That’s why we’ve taken to calling our 104-acre home-away-from-home our LIFE “village.” (You’ll get a sneak peek at more insider lingo and other things uniquely “LIFE” on page 32).
This is a place where everyone smiles and nods hello when they pass each other in the halls or walking across campus. It’s a place where professors, staff and students share tables and conversations in the café; where the administration sits down town-hall-style each quarter to listen and answer at “Let’s Talk;” where people bring their spouses, their children and even the family dog to play on the weekends.
LIFE’s Bell Tower, with its iconic “hands” and crest, is a fitting place to snap your class picture on graduation day.
Make your mark W W W. L I F E . E D U
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Some of us love the village so much, we move in! Many single students, as well as those bringing their families along for the journey, choose to live in our family-friendly on-campus housing, which just happens to be right next to our innovative, whole-child education center, Bright LIFE.
In short, LIFE is a place where you – can be you; whether that means taking a leadership role in one of more than 50 student clubs and organizations, getting active with our sports communities or hosting a short play contest in our brand-new Lyceum Park outdoor amphitheatre. (For even more ways to enjoy life at LIFE and in fabulous metro Atlanta, turn to pages 14-17.)
Envision the future L I K E D R . R I E K E M A N O N FA C E B O O K
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F A C E B O O K . C O M / G U Y F. R I E K E M A N D C
Above: LIFE’s students come from all walks of life and from all over the world. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you’ll feel right at home. Left: From the full schedule of free fitness classes in our Wellness Center, to our green campus Café, to our available life coaching and nutrition counseling services for all students, we take care of you, so you can focus on learning to care for your patients.
Walk the world LIFEFORCE 1000
LIFE.EDU/LIFEFORCE1000
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Above: Forget football, at LIFE we’re all about rugby! Saturday games are packed with spectators who come to tailgate, cheer on our top-ranked Running Eagles and celebrate the almost certain victory. Right: Have a need for speed? Our fast-track D.C. program will have you checking off pre-reqs in physics, chemistry, bio sci and more in fewer than ten weeks.
Keep it green A S U S TA I N A B L E L I F E
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L I F E U S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y. W O R D P R E S S . C O M
A LIFE educational experience is all about balance. Getting your hands dirty with the Seeds of LIFE Gardening Club; penning a column for the Vital Source student newspaper; taking field trips with an international student organization; running the field with our top-ranked undergraduate rugby team; or just running (we have a club for that, too) – a diverse range of extracurricular opportunities allows you to stretch your wings beyond the classroom and deepen your knowledge of another important subject – you!
See beyond boundaries D I S C O V E R C H I R O P R A C T I C W I T H U S O N FA C E B O O K
W W W. FA C E B O O K . C O M / L I F E E N R O L L M E N T
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Nature. Nightlife. Culture. History. Sports. Art. You name it, we’ve got it. A great school in a great city. Everything you’re looking for. 14
I-8 5
5
I-7
LIFE 20
Marietta
tes
nu mi
I-20
Downtown Atlanta
I-20
I-85 / I-75
15 minutes 5
I-8
Twenty minutes I-75
Atlanta International Airport
from downtown. Thirty-five minutes away from the largest international airport on earth. LIFE has everything you’re looking for in the way of culture, attractions, distractions and more. You’ll love what LIFE and the Atlanta area have to offer both on and off campus. In fact, there’s so much going on, you may just decide to call it home – for good.
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O N
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O F F
C A M P U S ,
T H E R E ’ S
6 Walk the Path of Heroes and follow in the footprints of those who lead the way in Chiropractic.
A L WA Y S
S O M E T H I N G
H A P P E N I N G
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7 1 Enjoy a cuppa and a healthy bite with friends at Socrates Café, LIFE’s sustainable on-campus bistro.
2 3 Score a free lunch, a free shirt and free entertainment at LIFE’s campuswide First Tuesday events. Mixing and mingling is mandatory. 4 Hang your hat in the first LEED-certified, stick-built multi-family housing complex in the world (or, as we like to call it, The Retreat)
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Explore your inner child at BrightLIFE, a full-scale, holistic child development center conveniently located right on LIFE’s campus.
Naptime anyone?
Get in the DANGER ZONE! Root on the Running Eagles basketball team as they shoot for another appearance at the NAIA National Championships.
Escape to simpler times as you wind your way through LIFE’s 19 th Century Village, complete with historic grist mill and waterfall.
Experience the scrum.
11 Fill up on snacks and camaraderie with a weekly movie night, open mic, pool tournament or Wii challenge in the Treehouse Student Center.
Witness America’s fastest-growing collegiate sport at its best, as LIFE’s two top-5 nationally ranked rugby teams ruck, maul and tackle their way to victory.
Pay your respects at the Bell Tower
8 Join an athletic club, a chiropractic technique club, a social or cultural club or just start your own club! There are multiple ways to assimilate into the LIFE community.
9 Say “Hi” (and “Thanks!”) to D.D. at the Palmer Memorial, celebrating 115 years of Chiropractic.
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commemorating the early pioneers of the chiropractic profession.
15 Feel the burn – and meet some new workout buddies – when you take a group class in the Wellness Center. 16 Walk, run, cycle or skip merrily (hey, it’s great cardio) through LIFE’s beautifully wooded trails.
13 File, type and staple your way to extra spending money by helping out a University department for a few hours a week as a work study; or by serving as a peer tutor in the Student Success Center.
14 Join the campus Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and pick up a bushel or a peck of local, organic fruits and veggies every Friday.
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Get your passport stamped. Apply for a PEAK clinic experience abroad at LIFE clinics in places such as Argentina, Ghana, New Zealand, Peru and Sweden!
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Get a LIFE-sized hug from Doc the Running Eagle, our University mascot!
O N
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C A M P U S ,
T H E R E ’ S
A L WA Y S
11 Kayak, canoe or tube the “Hooch”
5
See local talent take the stage
(the Chattahoochee River, that is)
at The Strand.
12 Head to nearby Lake Lanier or Lake Allatoona to hit the beach Atlanta-style.
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1 Frolic in the fountains, ice skate or jam to a live concert at Centennial Park, home of the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Invent your very own soft drink, then name it after yourself, at World of Coca-Cola.
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7 Glimpse the Atlanta skyline from the peak of Six Flags Over Georgia’s Goliath coaster.
Get spooked on a
“Scary-etta” Historic Roswell or Oakland Cemetery Ghost Tour.
2
Get lost in the crowd. From the Dogwood Festival to DragonCon, metro Atlanta’s mass gatherings are legendary. 3 See the world’s longest-running laser light show projected on the 800-foot-tall face of historic Stone Mountain Park.
4
Stop and smell the roses at Atlanta Botanical Garden’s weekly “Cocktails in the Garden”
S O M E T H I N G
H A P P E N I N G
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Not just another song and dance. Take in a night with the Atlanta Opera or the Atlanta Ballet.
17 Swim with the sharks at the Georgia Aquarium
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See it
(no, really, you can do that!)
THIS BIG
with a nature-inspired IMAX movie at Fernbank Museum of Natural History.
9 Hit the gas! Get your grand prix fix at Andretti Go-Karting or Atlanta Motor Speedway.
10 Tack on a bib number and join 55,000 people for the world’s largest 10K, the Peachtree Road Race.
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To your art’s content. Spend a day (and night) at the Woodruff Arts Center, home of the High Museum of Art, the Alliance Theatre and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
18 Catch eighteen innings of America’s pastime at an Atlanta Braves doubleheader at Turner Field. Not a baseball fan? How ‘bout them Hawks and Falcons?
15 Experience
panda-monium at Zoo Atlanta.
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The Doctor of Chiropractic Program
SCIENCE
Science. Over the course of your time at LIFE, you’ll become an expert in human anatomy, biomechanics, nutrition, neurology, radiology, research and chiropractic techniques. You’ll read, write, observe, practice and engage in group and one-on-one study with peers and professors; conduct original research under faculty mentors; and care for patients in our state-of-the-art public clinic and through our unparalleled clinic PEAK program, which puts experienced students to work in chiropractic clinics around the world. Need more evidence that a LIFE education’s scientific foundation is among the best in the country? We send more presenters to ACC-RAC, a prestigious research conference hosted by the Association of Chiropractic Colleges, than almost any other chiropractic school in the world; and our students rank third or higher on chiropractic National Board Score averages for the past three years running.
ART
Art. As a chiropractor, your hands are your instruments. In the same way a sculptor must spend years learning to mold and transform stone or clay, you will spend four intensive years learning how to see, feel and adjust the human spine. And the more you practice (our courses are hands-on from day one) the more you’ll learn that brilliant technique isn’t just the precise realignment of bone and tissue; it’s a harmonious culmination of expert knowledge, trained intuition and masterful application of those finely tuned instruments.
PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy. Not all chiropractic schools are created equal. While there are dozens of ways Life University is different, one stands above the rest. At LIFE, vitalistic philosophy – the conviction that all life is born of and sustained by an innate intelligence – and Chiropractic go hand in hand. As a future LIFE Doctor of Chiropractic, you won’t learn how to heal people. You’ll learn how to identify and remove interferences (subluxations, in all their many forms) so that people can heal themselves. That’s a powerfully different way of looking at healing, health and life, and it’s the foundation of every course you’ll take here – from Anatomy to Business Management.
BUSINESS
at Life University is not a typical program, because you are not a typical student. We know you don’t want to spend hours and hours in lectures, taking notes, taking tests and then pressing “repeat.” So, we’ve designed a comprehensive, intensive curriculum to teach the Science, Art, Philosophy and Business of Chiropractic. It’s an educational experience like no other, and it looks a little something like this:
Business. When it comes to graduating successful chiropractors, we mean business. Literally. Most people become DCs because they want to start their own practices. Being your own boss is one of the great joys and challenges of being a chiropractor, and LIFE prepares our students to meet those challenges head-on by requiring our students to study practical business management alongside their chiropractic courses. Here, you’ll not only become a chiropractor, you’ll become an entrepreneur.
Want to find out even more about what academic life will be like in your first, second, third and fourth years of study? We thought so. Go ahead and turn the page.
See the above, color-coded course guide!
It’s here to help you make sense of the “areas of learning” you’ll cover at LIFE. While these categories aren’t actual department or course titles (you’ll become familiar with those soon enough), they will give you an overview of the range of focus you’ll experience as a LIFE chiropractic student.
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1
YEAR
Kristin Trignano Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio Chiropractic Specialty - Undecided “There are so many possibilities to choose from, and I can’t wait to find the specialty that suits me.” First Year Courses Building a Chiropractic Foundation (Basic Sciences)
SCIENCE
Gross Anatomy The fundamentals of anatomy and physiology are taught both in class and in the cadaver lab, as part of a one-of-a-kind learning experience. You will receive hands-on training in musculoskeletal, visceral, and neurological labs.
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SCIENCE
Spinal Anatomy & Biomechanics To become a great chiropractor, you have to know the spine inside and out. These courses are an introduction to the complexity of the anatomical, physiological and biomechanical properties of the spine. In addition, you will review the altered biomechanics associated with vertebral subluxation.
SCIENCE
Nutrition A holistic approach to health and wellness wouldn’t be complete without mastery of the science of nutrition. You will come to understand the biochemistry of all food types and the physiology of food intake as it relates to the human body. With active learning in small groups and lab settings, you will learn how and why toxins can lead to vertebral subluxations.
SCIENCE
Radiology Chiropractors spend a lot of time reading radiographs (X-rays) and therefore need to become proficient in this very specific art and science. These courses provide an overview of the basic anatomy and common abnormalities seen on X-rays of the skeletal system.
PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy of Chiropractic Philosophy – why we do what we do as DCs – is a critical discipline for chiropractors. You will learn the foundational principles and philosophy that make Chiropractic a separate and distinct healing profession. You will explore your understanding of health, Chiropractic and the societal implications of both.
“I knew almost nothing about Chiropractic when I first came here, and the idea of being in ART
Technique: Palpation, Toggle You’ve got to find a vertebral subluxation before you can adjust and correct it. Students in the palpation course learn how to assess and locate biomechanical abnormalities in the spine related to vertebral subluxation. The first adjusting course, Toggle-Recoil, introduces Upper Cervical Chiropractic by specifically analyzing and adjusting the top bone in the neck, the atlas.
ART
Instrumentation Basics In this course you will learn how to evaluate the neurological components of the subluxation. This class utilizes both lecture and hands-on lab time.
BUSINESS
SCIENCE
Business: Lasting Purpose To Give, To Do, To Love, To Serve. These tenets are the foundation of a Life University education. You will learn how to apply these concepts to both your current personal development as well as how to use them to guide and create your plan to practice after you graduate.
Research Basics An important part of the chiropractic profession is our professional research. In the ever-changing, “evidence-based” health care approach, this course will introduce you to concepts of research standards and terms.
class with people who had chiropractors in their families or who had been under chiropractic care their whole lives was intimidating. Once I started classes, all that nervousness went away. No one treats you like you’re on a different level. I already feel like I’ve learned so much!” - Kristin
21
YEAR
2
Shane Showalter Hometown: San Mateo, CA Chiropractic Specialty - Neurology “Neurology is the final frontier, and Chiropractic allows me to be on the cutting edge.” Second Year Courses Becoming an Expert (Specialty Sciences)
ART
Diagnosis This course teaches you how to evaluate and assess patients for visceral, neurological and musculoskeletal injuries or diseases. An emphasis is placed on the hands-on skills necessary to perform exams involved in being a primary care provider in today’s health care system.
SCIENCE
Kinesiology The study of human movement is essential for chiropractors. This course provides the knowledge and tools necessary for you to assess the biomechanics of the human body.
Neuroanatomy (PNS & CNS) An understanding of the anatomical and physiological properties of the nervous system is taught with an in-depth exploration into the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves.
T A K E
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SCIENCE
N A T I O N A L
SCIENCE
Psychology An understanding of emotional and psychological issues pertaining to health are important for any health care professional. In these courses you will learn about the connections between psychology and overall health, with an emphasis on positive psychology, a leadingedge discipline.
B O A R D S
-
P A R T
SCIENCE
Radiology (Pathology Detection) In addition to locating structural problems, you will learn how to recognize disease or injury on X-rays. With lecture and lab, these courses prepare you to locate abnormalities in the skeletal system and soft tissues.
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“The highlight of this year was definitely starting student clinic. It’s great because everyone in the class PHILOSOPHY
Subluxation Theory Subluxation is at the heart of the chiropractic model of care. It is essential that you understand the causes and effects of vertebral subluxation, as well as how to correct them. This course reviews current models and theories of subluxation with an emphasis on the neurological component.
BUSINESS
Business: Patient Education, Practice Design, Basics of Practice Management In these classes you will have the opportunity to learn from experts in the fields of communication, design and practice management to prepare for a career after school. A special emphasis is placed on the opening and growth of a practice.
ART
Technique: Full Spine & Diversified It is critical that you become an expert in adjusting. After learning how to locate subluxations, you will learn how to correct them using the most commonly used chiropractic techniques. This course includes lecture and hands-on lab time to prepare students for their clinical experience.
ART
Student Clinic
knows each other, so
(8th quarter)
The student becomes the intern! At the end of your second year, as a student intern, you will begin to provide chiropractic care to members of the Life University community. You will be monitored and guided by licensed Doctors of Chiropractic, and you will utilize and refine your clinical, communication and adjusting skills.
there’s this level of trust and support when you start putting your hands on people and learning how to adjust on a real person.” - Shane
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3
YEAR
Michelle Huvenaars Hometown: Calgary, Alberta, CAN Chiropractic Specialty - Chiropractic Pediatrics “Now that I understand how much Chiropractic can help kids, I’m excited to learn the skills that will build a new generation of stronger, healthier children.” Third Year Courses Patient Care and Practical Application of Knowledge
ART
SCIENCE
Outpatient Clinic (10th to 12th quarter)
Interns begin to provide chiropractic care to paying patients from the Atlanta area. Life University interns have a unique opportunity to practice within specialized units such as pediatrics, functional neurology, philosophy and upper cervical technique. All clinic faculty have real-world experience, and will guide you as you apply your new skills to real patients in a working clinic setting.
Radiology: Positioning, Technique & Quality Besides taking them, it is essential that you know how to set-up, develop and troubleshoot X-rays. You will learn how to do just that in these courses that include lab and lecture time.
T A K E
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ART
ART
Advanced Instrumentation Assessment of the nervous system is further developed using the latest technology. You will spend time learning how to perform and analyze thermography, EMG, inclinometry and nerve conduction velocity tests.
Technique: Gonstead, Thompson, SOT Additional adjusting techniques are explored after you master the basics. These courses have lecture portions to examine the theories and science as well as labs to learn the hands-on skills necessary to be effective.
N A T I O N A L
ART
Specialty Adjusting: Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Extremity & Sport Adjusting Many chiropractors choose to work with unique populations such as children, pregnant women, the elderly and athletes. These courses provide you with necessary skills and an understanding of the complications/ presentations associated with each population.
B O A R D S
-
P A R T S
2
&
3
BUSINESS
Business: Practice Basics & Advanced Practice Management It’s difficult to serve Chiropractic to the world if you can’t keep your doors open! These courses are heavily focused on the growth and daily management of the success-oriented practice.
SCIENCE
“I finally got my blue coat! Working with patients is even more rewarding than I thought it would be. On my first day as an intern, a patient called me ‘doctor’ by accident, and it really hit home. Electives Technique, neurology, pediatrics, biomechanics and advanced skills are just a few of the additional courses you can take. Dozens of electives are offered so all students can further refine their skills and knowledge in the fields they prefer.
By this time next year, I’m going to be Dr. Huvenaars!” - Michelle
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peak clinicals
Richard Cohen Hometown: Montego Bay, Jamaica Chiropractic Specialty - Sport Science “I found my true calling in helping athletes achieve optimum performance.” Year Four Courses (13th and 14th Quarter) PEAK/Senior Clinician: Real World Application
ART
PEAK PEAK (Practice Excellence, Art and Knowledge) is a residency program for students in the final two quarters of clinic. You have many exciting options including working (and adjusting!) in private clinics, helping others in lowincome population outreach clinics and VA hospitals, or you could even spend a quarter practicing abroad. We have international PEAK opportunities in Argentina, Ghana, New Zealand, Peru and Sweden. Through the PEAK program, you’ll put all your knowledge, training and experience to work in the real world and truly expand your horizons. T A K E
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SCIENCE
BUSINESS
PHILOSOPHY
Senior Research Project The importance of publishing chiropractic literature in research journals is strongly emphasized. This course provides an understanding of your role in the global efforts of Chiropractic as well as an opportunity to write and publish a case study on one of your patients.
Advanced Business: Practice Coaching In your final year, you will have the opportunity to explore and study with top chiropractic management programs – the same consultants practicing DCs pay thousands to help them improve their practices.
Clinical Case Topics In an ever-changing political climate, this course provides you with an understanding of the complex nature of healthcare in today’s society and how you can make a difference.
N A T I O N A L
B O A R D S
-
P A R T
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“PEAKing in Ghana has been life-changing. To go to a place where people are struggling, where there is so much poverty and so little access to healthcare, and to be able to share this gift of Chiropractic, is so powerful. I want to carry that feeling into my future practice.� - Richard
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Above: Our Enrollment and Admissions staff is like your personal concierge service. Whatever your question or request, they’ll work with you to find a way to ‘Yes!’
ONE OF THE QUESTIONS you are probably asking is:
How will I afford this?
The answer is simple:
Financial Aid. The majority of our students take out loans via the federal government to help cover the costs of tuition, books and fees. Because a doctoral program is a full-time job in itself, most students also take out loans to cover their living expenses while in school. This way, students can focus on their studies and make the most of their time on LIFE’s campus. Our Financial Aid staff will help you complete your forms accurately. Flip ahead to our handy enrollment flowchart on pages 30 and 31 to see when and how you will apply for your loans. We also have 19 chiropractic scholarships totaling more than $1,000,000 available to our students to help defray costs. To view the complete list visit:
www.LIFE.edu/FinancialAid
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SOME OF YOU ARE ASKING AN EVEN MORE CRITICAL QUESTION: Is this a good investment? Since Chiropractic is a business, and most chiropractors become small business owners, let’s put this in business terms: How do you determine if investing in yourself, by investing in your education, is a smart business decision? Let’s look at the data: Though the cost of tuition for the D.C. program is subject to change from quarter to quarter, the total cost of the 342-credit D.C. curriculum comes to approximately $100,000. That is a serious investment! And that is exactly how you should think of it: as an investment in your future. In business terms, when you are calculating the value of an investment, you need to think about the likely return on your investment. What will it get you? What are the rewards? Here’s just some of the bang you can expect for your bucks when you invest in a LIFE D.C. degree: Financial Reward: Chiropractors can make a great living, earning upwards of $100,000 annually. Chiropractic Economics magazine reports that the mean salary for chiropractors is $94,454. The Department of Labor reports a mid-range from $65,000 to $97,000; while Salary.com lists $69,000-$103,000 as an average mid-range. In general, self-employed chiropractors report higher earnings than their counterparts.
Peer Recognition: Chiropractors work together all the time: to help a patient, to educate their community, or to support an organization and create change on a global scale. While you will likely eventually run your own office, you will still be surrounded by passionate peers who support and strengthen you.
Live & Work Anywhere: Chiropractors work in cities large and small, across every state in the country and in a growing number of countries abroad. Though Chiropractic’s global reach is still quite small, there are opportunities in nearly any part of the world for enterprising chiropractors looking to help people feel and live better – no matter where they call home.
Challenge & Responsibility: As a chiropractor, you never stop learning. Between professional development, continuing education, specializations and the ever-changing challenges of a real-world patient population, keeping your career fresh and growing is not just a perk, it’s a requirement.
Great Job Futures: Chiropractic employment is projected to grow much faster than average (according to the Department of Labor). With an increase in baby boomers seeking healthcare and the rising demand for alternative healthcare options, Chiropractic is leaping ahead of the competition.
Meaningful Work: You will get to watch people’s lives change for the better, every single day, as a result of what you do. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Top Rated Career: CNN & Money Magazine listed chiropractors 14th among the Top 50 Best Jobs in America for 2010; while the Wall Street Journal ranked it 11th out of 200 top jobs, based on such factors as environment, income and employment outlook.
Flexibility: Be your own boss, set your own hours, create your own perfect practice environment – then change your mind. You have almost unlimited control over what your workday looks like.
At LIFE, we believe that success is about more than money and fame. We believe that the ultimate measure
Why Chiropractic?
of success is the difference you make in the world. In order to be truly successful, you have to have Lasting Purpose and significance – with or without the six-figure income. If this sounds like your kind of success, then investing in chiropractic school will probably be the smartest decision you’ll ever make.
High Demand
Salary Range
35%
20% Investment in Education
35%
10% Innovation and Creativity
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It only takes three simple steps
to get the
ball rolling. After that, LIFE’s Admissions Department, PASS Advising Team, Financial Aid Department and Student Services Division will be on your side to help guide and advise you as you take your first steps toward your new career. We want you to love it here at LIFE and we are determined to make your transition into Chiropractic as smooth as possible.
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submit application mail ORONLIPANEY $50 fee forward transcripts
I D E A L L Y ,
A P P L Y
O N E
Y E A R
P R I O R
T O
S T A R T
SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR ADMISSIONS 1. Application – online or mail 2. Application fee, $50 3. All official transcripts sent directly to LIFE
after the application
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? need financial help? here’s what to do:
ACCEPTANCE ISSUED TYPICALLY 1-4 WEEKS AFTER APPLICATION SUBMISSION
1. FILE REVIEW WITH ENROLLMENT SPECIALIST (ES) Ensure all pre-requisites will be met by previous or current classwork
SUBMIT FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION FAFSA online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov
PRE-REQUISITES AND CONCURRENT UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE
ACCELERATED PRE-REQUISITES
DIRECT ENTRANCE TO D.C. PROGRAM
2. SCHEDULE A CAMPUS VISIT at www.LIFE.edu/ScheduleACampusVisit 8 - 1 2
W E E K S
O U T
3. ONCE YOU ARE ACCEPTED, RECEIVE DEPOSIT LETTER AND MAKE PAYMENT 4. CONSIDER HOUSING PLANS
WAIT Check WebAdvisor for file status If accepted by Admissions Office (and verification complete) an official award letter will be issued via mail 4 weeks after application is complete.
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Live on campus at the LIFE Village Retreat www.LIFEsVillageRetreat.com or call 770-919-5554
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Rent – Check for listings at www.LIFE.edu or www.Atlanta.Promove.com/Marietta-Apartments
B Y
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Buy – Contact your Enrollment Specialist for the name of a local realtor
SUBMIT FINANCIAL AID FINAL PAPERWORK
3 - 5
W E E K S
O U T
5. ORIENTATION PLANNING You will receive an email with information to attend orientation and a schedule of activities 6. PASS ADVISOR MEETING Your PASS Advisor will call you to set up your first appointment, which will occur during orientation 2
W E E K S
O U T
6
W E E K S
O U T
StudentLoans.gov 1. Entrance counseling forms 2. Master promissory note 3. Set up direct deposit Get form at www.LIFE.edu and send to LIFE Student Accounts with a voided check.
WAIT
Check WebAdvisor to ensure file is complete
7. MOVE TO MARIETTA/ATLANTA Call us! Let us know you’re here! 1
W E E K
O U T
C L A S S E S
B E G I N
8. ATTEND ORIENTATION FINANCIAL AID IS DISPERSED AT END OF FIRST WEEK OF CLASS Refund check issued if applicable
BEGIN UNDERGRAD AT LIFE 1. Work with PASS Advisors and Enrollment Specialists to gain acceptance to D.C. program 2. Complete all pre-requisites for D.C. program 3. Pre-D.C. to D.C. meeting occurs mid-quarter 4. Meet with PASS Advisor to register for D.C. program
GET INVOLVED AT LIFE FIRST TUESDAY PARTY 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. NEW STUDENT PARTY FIRST FRIDAY NIGHT
BEGIN D.C. AT LIFE 31
You know you go to Life when... ...You use the word “nervous” constantly, but it has nothing to do with anxiety. Chiropractors know that adjusting the spine helps the nervous system function optimally, which leads to a healthier, happier mind and body!
...There is some kind of bone hanging from your key chain. ...You have memorized the World Health Organization’s definition of health. “Health is a state of optimal physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
...You know at least three people named “Palmer.” Named after the founder and developer of the chiropractic profession, D.D. Palmer.
...You give out ‘high pis’ instead of ‘high fives.’ It’s a technique thing. You’ll find out soon.
...You mark time in terms of Week 1, Week 2... rather than actual dates. Since we operate on quarters, terms are easily and uniformly organized.
...You eat corn, with corn. All utensils in Socrates Café are 100% compostable cornware!
...You’ve happily masqueraded as a superhero or pirate at more than one new student party. Student Ambassadors host a costumed theme party every quarter for all students.
...You go to “the club” to practice your adjusting technique, not your dance moves. ...Massive light-up teddy bears, trees and ice skaters become a part of your daily life from November to January. LIFE is host to Lights of LIFE, a campuswide holiday lights display.
...You hear the words “Assembly required” and know exactly where you’ll be from 11-12 on Thursday. Students attend a mandatory seminar series which runs three Thursdays per quarter, every quarter.
...Your eco-friendly lunch box full of health food is bigger than your book bag. ...All your driving directions include “the Big Chicken.” This local landmark is famous throughout metro Atlanta. Seeing is believing.
...You stand in line at the hydration station between classes to refill your reusable water bottle. ...You eat at the “Soc,” study in a tree house and jog through a 19th Century Village. ...You can’t go to the mall, for a run, to the grocery store, anywhere without evaluating strangers’ posture. ...Your latest Facebook profile pic is of you posing in front of the Bell Tower in your brand-new baby blue jacket. Welcome to clinic!
Make your mark
Follow us at Twitter.com/LIFEUniversity Like us on Facebook.com/LIFE.edu
Watch us on YouTube.com/LifeatLIFE
Visit us at LIFE.edu
Life University Office of Enrollment 1269 Barclay Circle SE Marietta, Georgia 30060 USA 770-426-2884 800-543-3202 Admissions@LIFE.edu
Make your mark 2705 12-13