New College of Chiropractic Medicine at Keiser University
News
Keiser University is now accepting applications for its inaugural class this fall in the College of Chiropractic Medicine, located in West Palm Beach, Florida. Keiser University was founded in 1977 and has steadily grown to its present status as a regionally accredited level six university (granting 4 or more doctoral degrees) by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS) with over 3,800 faculty and staff, and approximately 20,000 students on 18 campuses throughout Florida. Keiser University offers over 100 degrees from the associate to the doctoral levels.
The College of Chiropractic Medicine will limit classes to 20 students, with three matriculations per year. Initially the program will be located on Keiser University’s West Palm Beach campus, and eventually, the College will move to Keiser University’s “Flagship” campus, a beautiful 100 acre residential campus, also located in West Palm Beach. The small class sizes will allow for an emphasis on transactive and transformative pedagogy, stressing active learning.
The program will feature early clinical experiences, with first semester students spending several hours per week in local chiropractic practices. Also, a weekly case conference, throughout the first nine semesters will provide opportunities to share clinical experiences and connect the educational program to the practice of chiropractic. Foundational and applied sciences (formerly called Basic and Clinical Sciences) will be integrated as much as possible, with case-based relevancy emphasized throughout the curriculum. The program will also emphasize evidence-based practices and community-based clinical training, as well as a focus on excellence in spine care.
There will be many opportunities for inter-professional education and collaboration within the university which has many health-related degree programs, such as nursing, physician assistant studies, massage therapy, radiological technology, and others.
Dr. Mike Wiles is the founding dean of the new college, and brings four decades of experience in chiropractic practice, teaching and administration. Upon arrival in West Palm Beach, he introduced himself and contacted all chiropractors in Florida and received an overwhelmingly positive response to the program. Many doctors offered to host students in their practices for observation, clerkship and internship experiences.
Chancellor Dr. Arthur Keiser has established a “students first” philosophy at Keiser University, and Dr. Wiles said in an interview that this will be a foundational principle of the chiropractic program. “I want to treat our students the same way we want our graduates to treat their patients”, he said. “With the commitment of Keiser University to its students and academic excellence, the institution presents an ideal setting for the development of a new College of Chiropractic Medicine”. For further information contact Dr. Wiles at: [email protected]
