D.C. Doctor of Chiropractic Degree

Why choose Western States Chiropractic College?

• WSCC is a leader in evidenced-based chiropractic care and has long encouraged an integrated approach to health care.
• WSCC is well known as a leader in chiropractic education, with its students consistently scoring high on both the US and Canadian National Board Exams.
• Our technique and diagnosis labs average approximately seven students to every one instructor (7:1).
• The WSCC campus is in Portland, Oregon, one of the most livable cities in the US, with great biking and hiking within the city limits and a winter and summer outdoor activities available on the beautiful coast and on Mount Hood within a ninety minute drive.

Massage Therapy

The Massage Therapy program at Western States Chiropractic College is a 726-hour program in therapeutic massage.

Western States Chiropractic College (WSCC) is a private, non-profit, professional school. WSCC has been a pioneer in chiropractic education since 1904. More recently we added a one-year, 726-hour certificate program in therapeutic massage. WSCC grants a massage certificate that prepares students for state licensing exams as well as the National Certification Exam. Western States is the only regionally accredited program in the area. Regional accreditation allows massage students to transfer credits from our program to other colleges and universities, including our Doctor of Chiropractic program.

The massage therapy courses have been carefully designed by professionals in the health care and massage therapy fields so that students are well-equipped to take their state exams and to become successful licensed massage therapists. Western States also has a cadaver lab where students can see and appreciate body structures in 3-D making the concepts of kinesiology and the vocabulary of anatomy more memorable and easily understood. The campus library maintains a print collection of over 12,000 volumes, 350 journal titles, and extensive audiovisual materials. Our students also have access to the local medical school and research university library and others.

In addition to the sciences, massage theory and practice courses include Swedish relaxation massage, deep tissue and trigger point massage, massage for cancer patients, medical massage, sports/orthopedic/rehabilitation massage, and a survey of specialized massage techniques. These courses are taught by leaders in the field of massage therapy who have years of clinical and teaching experience and have a passion for educating students about the art and science of this growing field. The Communications & Ethics, Business, and Professional Development courses ensure that you are well prepared to join the workforce whether you choose a healthcare setting, a fitness center, or a spa as a contracted provider, an employee or a business owner.

Starting in their second term, students in the program gain hands-on experience in the on-campus Outpatient Clinic, where they serve a range of community members and work alongside other healthcare professionals in an integrated setting. Students also have an opportunity to provide massage services to oncology patients through an optional internship. WSCC has relationships with healthcare providers in the Portland metro area and participates in many community events throughout the year to give massage students a wide range of experiences that prepare them for life after graduation. WSCC graduates of the Doctor of Chiropractic program provide a built-in employment resource for massage graduates who are interested in working in a clinical setting.

Our small class sizes and 22-acre campus provide the perfect learning environment. Federal financial aid including Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans and Parent PLUS are available for those who qualify.

D.C. Doctor of Chiropractic

The doctor of chiropractic degree program of the Western States Chiropractic College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) The College has been continuously accredited by the CCE since its initial accreditation in 1981. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation by the CCE was in 2004, and the next scheduled comprehensive review is in 2012. Western States Chiropractic College is also accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Massage Therapy

The State of Oregon requires at minimum 500 hours of training for licensure. Additionally, 200 of these hours must be in anatomy & physiology, kinesiology, and pathology and 300 hours in massage theory and practice, business management, ethics, communication, clinical practice, sanitation and hydrotherapy. Washington State also requires a minimum of 500 hours of training; 130 hours of anatomy & physiology and 40 of these hours in kinesiology, 265 hours of theory and practice, and 55 hours of clinical/business practices. After completing the educational component, the applicant must pass the Oregon Practical Exam and the National Certification Exam through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). In Washington, you can take either the Washington State Massage Exam or the National Certification Exam. Licensing standards are different from state to state and the student is responsible for contacting the massage board of the state in which they would like to practice.