Pre-Professional Education for Chiropractic Study


If your dream is to be a chiropractor, SAU makes it easier with three, top-notch and approved undergraduate programs that can help you reach your goals. You choose your major and we will help design your plan of study.


Ambrose Advantages

  • Articulation Agreement with Top Chiropractic College
  • You Choose Your Major
  • Small Classes, Outstanding Faculty

The Davenport campus, our undergraduate Biology, Exercise Science, and Human Performance and Fitness programs include your prerequisites. On top of that, SAU provides a very big, additional advantage: we don't prepare you for one career, but two.


More Information on our Pre-Professional Chiropractic Program

What are some potential career opportunities?

The road to become a Doctor of Chiropractic is a long one. If you discover that chiropractic care isn't your passion – and that's what college is for! – your SAU undergraduate degree will prepare you for so many professions.

Qualified biologists find positions in:

  • research and development
  • healthcare
  • state and federal government
  • zoos and aquariums
  • museums
  • conservation agencies
  • national and state parks as educators or
  • conduct research for pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and non-profit organizations.

Some of our Biology graduates work at Pioneer Hi-Bred International, MedTox Laboratories, and Davenport Police Department.

Exercise Science majors can work as an exercise physiologist, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation specialist, and researcher. Some of our graduates work at Trinity Regional Health System, Army Wellness Center, Alliance Rehab, Illini Restorative Care, Rock Valley Physical Therapy.

There are possibilities of working as a personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, employee fitness director, group exercise instructor, recreation program director, and health and fitness club manager. Some of our graduates work at Quad Cities Acceleration, Feldman Performance, Unity Point Health, and Pleasant Valley High School.

Why should I Pursue Pre-Professional Training at SAU

At SAU, you will get a well-rounded education grounded in the Liberal Arts and within a campus community that works for social justice in the spirit of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.

You will develop critical thinking skills, an awareness of the world outside the classroom, and knowledge that spans beyond your major. These aspects of your education will strengthen you professionally – and personally.

Requirements

On General Education/Electives: Of the 90 total hours taken at St. Ambrose University to meet Palmer College of Chiropractic entrance requirements, 24 credits (36 quarter hours) in life and physical science courses must be included. These science courses will provide an adequate background for success in the Doctor of Chiropractic Programs (DCP) and at least half of these courses will have a substantive laboratory component.

The student's undergraduate preparation should also include a well-rounded general education program in the humanities, social sciences, other coursework for students to successfully complete the DCP curriculum.

The minimum number of credits required to graduate with a bachelor's degree from St. Ambrose University is 120 credits.

If you are currently a student at Palmer and wish to transfer into St. Ambrose University, please get in touch with one of our Transfer Advisors.

Scholarships and Grants

First-Year

St. Ambrose offers excellent scholarships and grants, work-study and other financial aid options! Full-time students may be eligible based on your strong academic performance in college, your talent in fine arts or athletics or your demonstrated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The SAU school code for the FAFSA is 001889.

First-Year Scholarships and Institutional Aid 2024-2025

ON CAMPUS
Merit-Based Scholarships

4.0 GPA: $24,000
3.75-3.99 GPA: $22,000
3.0-3.749 GPA: $20,000
2.5-2.99 GPA: $18,000
2.0-2.49 GPA: $14,000
If GPA is 2.0-2.49, additional documents and review required for admission.

OFF CAMPUS
Merit-Based Scholarships

4.o GPA: $17,000
3.75-3.99 GPA: $16,000
3.0-3.749 GPA: $15,000
2.5-2.99 GPA: $14,000
2.0-2.49 GPA: $13,000
If GPA is 2.0-2.49, additional documents and review required for admission.

ADDITIONAL INSTITUTIONAL AID

Ambrose Advantage Full-Tuition Scholarship
Pell-eligible Iowa residents, learn more here

Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarship: $500 per year
Parent is a St. Ambrose graduate

Catholic Traditions Scholarship: $1,000 per year
Students with Catholic religious denomination or plans to graduate from Catholic high school 

Minority Scholarship: $500 per year
Ethnically diverse student

Athletic Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability

Fine Arts Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability in music, art and theatre

Faith Learning Justice Campus Ministry Scholarships: $2,000 per year
Recognition of involvement in church and community service and interest in strengthening faith and growing as a leader in campus ministry

Scholarships are determined by unweighted GPA, and are renewable for four years of undergraduate student. Increases in scholarship awards due to change in GPA will be reviewed until March 1.

State and Federal Grants, Work Study

Grants are money that you don't repay, and they can come from government or private sources. SAU receives all financial aid funds directly - including loans and grants - then applies them to your account: once in the fall term and once in the spring term. Grants can be used to cover your tuition, books, and housing costs. You must apply for grants each academic year. If you have any loan funds in excess of your costs, you may receive a refund. If you are a first-time borrower, there is a 30-day hold on your first disbursement. For all of these grants, you must complete the Free Application Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it is available.


Iowa Tuition Grant
To be eligible for the Iowa Tuition Grant, you must be a resident of Iowa as defined by the State Board of Regents and currently enrolled or planning to enroll in an undergraduate degree program at an eligible Iowa college or university (SAU is eligible). Iowa College Aid administers need-based college financial aid for Iowans, such as the Iowa Tuition Grant.
Award: $7,500 maximum

Federal Pell Grant
Awarded to students of the highest need based on how much your family can contribute to your education. The U.S. Department of Education sets a threshold. Then, when you file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it computes where you land within that threshold and determines if you qualify for the grant and for how much.
Award: $6,895 maximum

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
You must file a FAFSA to qualify for a Pell Grant. This grant is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to students who have submitted all required documents for review and in time for the review to be complete. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant or SEOG, the awards will appear on your financial aid award letter.
Award: $400 maximum

Federal Work Study
Must secure campus employment.
Award: $2,560

Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant 
Provides aid to students intending to teach in a high-need field at a school that serves low-income families (as determined by the U.S. Department of Education or a state education agency). Review criteria and all details here.
Award: up to $4,000

Outside Scholarships

There are many opportunities to receive scholarships from outside sources, here are a few websites to begin researching your options:

Another tip: Next time you're on campus, check out the bulletin board outside Student Financial Services where we post more flyers and applications for outside scholarships.


Apply Visit Info

Contact


Admissions Office
Admissions and Welcome Center
310 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-333-6300
admit@sau.edu

So, what's next?

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