Chiropractors interested in adding to their education to become pediatric experts have a few different options. Among the choices are earning a Diplomate in Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics (DICCP), a Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Pediatrics (DABCP), a Diplomate in the Academy Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics (DACCP), a Certificate in the Academy Council of Chiropractic (CACCP), or obtaining a Master of Science degree in Chiropractic Pediatrics (MSCP) from Logan University.
Traditional diplomate programs typically range from 200 to 400 hours, spanning two to three years, and provide post-graduate content in pediatrics for chiropractors, including a mix of hybrid or in-person weekend seminars. By contrast, Logan’s MSCP degree – the first of its kind in the U.S. – is a two-year, part-time, hybrid, university-level education delivered at your own pace with annual in-person sessions on Logan’s campus for hands-on practice of adjusting techniques. The master’s program is designed to take the broad knowledge and skills learned in chiropractic school and distill them down specifically to the pediatric patient from newborns through adolescents.
Logan’s MSCP degree provides chiropractors with four times as much instructional content as a traditional diplomate. This master’s degree program allows chiropractors to expand their working knowledge and understanding of the anatomy, physiology, neurology, and nutritional needs of pediatric patients – along with deepening manual therapy skills with training in spinal, cranial and extremity techniques specific to this population. Master’s students also expand their skills in pediatric diagnostic imaging and public health and learn how to manage common and uncommon pediatric health conditions.
Diplomate programs also give candidates the skills to provide specialized training in pediatric chiropractic and focus on clinical application, including diagnosis, treatment techniques and management of pediatric conditions. However, when compared to Logan’s MSCP Program, diplomate programs tend to have less breadth and depth.
Of the two educational paths, only the MSCP is a Master of Science degree and is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accreditation agency of the U.S. Department of Education. This outside accreditation means the MSCP is recognized across professions, enabling careers in hospital settings, multidisciplinary practice, university-level instruction, and research.
Choosing the right program depends on career goals. A diplomate may be a better choice if you have an interest in learning more about pediatrics but aren’t looking to become a recognized specialist outside of chiropractic. On the other hand, if you know you want to specialize in pediatrics and want the most in-depth educational experience available, then the MSCP would be the better choice.
Both the diplomate and the MSCP offer valuable opportunities for chiropractors passionate about pediatric care to grow their expertise and knowledge and obtain better outcomes for their pediatric patients.
For chiropractors who may want both a master’s degree and diplomate certification, graduates of the MSCP program are eligible to sit for the diplomate exam given by the American Chiropractic Association’s American Board of Chiropractic Pediatrics (DABCP). In some cases, pursuing both may open new opportunities for providing pediatric care.