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Associate doctor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an associate doctor. Associate doctors usually study chiropractic, biology, or human biology. 61% of associate doctors hold a doctoral degree, and 32% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 405 real associate doctor resumes to see exactly what associate doctor education sections show.

The most common colleges for associate doctors are the Palmer College of Chiropractic and the Palmer College of Chiropractic.

There are also many online associate doctor courses to help get the education required to be an associate doctor.

What education do you need to become an associate doctor?

What degree do you need to be an associate doctor?

The most common degree for associate doctors is doctoral degree, with 61% of associate doctors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 32% and bachelor's degree degree at 4%.
  • Doctorate, 61%
  • Bachelor's, 32%
  • Associate, 4%
  • Master's, 1%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become an associate doctor?

You should major in chiropractic to become an associate doctor. 51% of associate doctors major in chiropractic. Other common majors for an associate doctor include biology and human biology.

Most common colleges for associate doctors

Associate doctors often get their degrees at Palmer College of Chiropractic, Life University, and Texas Chiropractic College. Here are the most common colleges for associate doctors in the US based on their resumes.
Associate doctor common collegePercentages
Palmer College of Chiropractic25.00%
Life University21.43%
Texas Chiropractic College10.00%
Life Chiropractic College-West5.71%
Sherman College of Chiropractic4.29%

Best majors for associate doctors

RankMajorPercentages
1Chiropractic50.8%
2Biology12.6%
3Human Biology5.7%
4Psychology3.7%
5Medicine3.7%

Best colleges for associate doctors

The best colleges for associate doctors are Life University, Aurora University, and D'Youville College.

An associate doctor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for associate doctors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become associate doctors.

1. Logan University

Chesterfield, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$6,800

Enrollment

179

2. Aurora University

Aurora, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$24,260

Enrollment

3,944

20 best online courses for associate doctors

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1. Case Studies in Personalized Medicine

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Learn how advances in biomedicine hold the potential to revolutionize drug development, drug treatments, and disease prevention: where are we now, and what does the future hold? This course will present short primers in genetics and mechanisms underlying variability in drug responses. A series of case studies will be used to illustrate principles of how genetics are being brought to bear on refining diagnoses and on personalizing treatment in rare and common diseases. The ethical and...

2. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care

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This course presents basic principles of cancer survivorship to primary-care physicians. Developed by a team of experts in caring for cancer survivors, and narrated by a primary-care physician, this course provides practical tips and tools that can be easily integrated into medical practice. You will learn about the complex physical and psychosocial needs and concerns of the growing number of cancer survivors, along with the key role that primary care physicians have in guiding these patients...

3. Deep Tissue Massage: Neuromuscular Therapy Certificate

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Neuromuscular Therapy is a highly effective form of Deep Tissue Massage for pain relief (2 CEUs)...

4. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Associate Life Coach

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CBT: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Life Coaching Associate Coach Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Coaching...

5. Prehospital care of acute stroke and patient selection for endovascular treatment using the RACE scale

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Acute stroke is a time-dependent medical emergency. In acute ischemic stroke, the first objective is to restore brain flow using sistemic thrombolytic treatment and, in patients with large vessel occlusion, by endovascular treatment. In hemorrhagic stroke there are also specific treatments that can improve the clinical outcome. The sooner the initiation of all these therapies the higher the clinical benefit. Thus, the organization of Stroke Code systems coordinated between emergency medical...

6. Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers

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This course is designed with a singular goal: to improve the care you provide to your patients with substance use disorders. By delving into a model case performed by actors, seven Yale instructors from various fields provide techniques to screen your patients for substance use disorder risk, diagnose patients to gauge the severity of their use, directly manage treatment plans, refer out to treatment services, and navigate the various conditions that may limit your patient’s access to treatment...

7. Massage Therapy

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4.6
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Massage Therapy Course 101...

8. Deep Tissue Massage: Trigger Point Therapy Certificate

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Deep Tissue Trigger Point Massage Therapy is a proven approach for the relief of soft-tissue pain and dysfunction (2CEU)...

9. Value-Based Care: Managing Processes to Improve Outcomes

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COURSE 3 of 7. This course is designed to introduce you to critical office-based processes that a value-based practice must manage in the drive towards improved patient outcomes. In Module 2, we’ll focus on office-based and clinical patient-based supporting functions. At every level in healthcare, guidelines, processes, and functions exist to improve outcomes, and following a consistent process will return the best effect. Refine your understanding of value and learn strategies to provide real...

10. Trauma Emergencies and Care

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Welcome to Trauma Emergencies and Care. In this course, you will learn about some of the mechanics and physics of trauma on the human body, and how this can cause injury. You will continue to expand your new vocabulary with medical terminology, and learn how to describe the different injuries you may see. You will also learn about the trauma system itself- and when it is important to transport patients to a trauma center. Then we will dive into specific injuries based on what part of the body...

11. Professional Cupping Therapy Massage Certificate Course 4 CE

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Learn Cupping Therapy Massage Today to Treat Your Own Pains, Your Friends, Family Or Massage Clients Effortlessly!...

12. Cupping Massage Mastery

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Master Silicone Cupping in 2023 and Become the Go-To Therapist for Chronic Pain and Athletic Recovery...

13. Clinical Kidney, Pancreas and Islet Transplantation

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Kidney transplantation is a major advance of modern medicine which provides high-quality of life for patients with end-stage renal disease. What used to be an experimental, risky, and very limited treatment option more than 50 years ago is now routinely performed in many countries worldwide. The number of renal transplants is expected to rise sharply in the next decade since the proportion of patients with end stage renal disease is increasing. Are you interested in clinical kidney, pancreas...

14. Introduction to Integrative Therapies and Healing Practices

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This introductory course provides a framework for incorporating integrative therapies into your work with clients or patients. By the end of the course, you will be able to assess if integrative therapies are good options in specific situations, as well as educate patients and colleagues about benefits and risks. You will be confident discussing the evidence base for integrative therapies in general, with an understanding of some of the challenges of research in this area, and able to identify...

15. Professional Cupping Therapy & Massage

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Professional and comprehensive course of cupping techniques and applications...

16. Colombian Wood Therapy Course - Maderoterapia

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Learn how to use Colombian Wood Therapy to help your clients reduce cellulite and melt fat...

17. Operations and Patient Safety for Healthcare IT Staff

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Now that you've been introduced to the world of Health IT and the important role played by electronic health records (EHRs), we'll focus on other technologies that play a role in maintaining ongoing operations in healthcare. Telemedicine, patient portals, barcode scanners, printers, and medical devices are just some of the technologies that impact providers and patients. As an IT support specialist, you’ll be asked to troubleshoot issues with a wide variety of tools. You'll see a scenario with...

18. Bowen Therapy NO MASSAGE Healing Certificate Course (8CEU)

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An incredible NO MASSAGE remedial therapy for massage therapists or anyone else that wants to learn how to heal people...

19. Art Therapy: Personal Development and Self Healing with Art

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Arts Therapy heals ! Improve your Mental Health with 30 Art Therapy Exercises ...

20. Ashiatsu or Shiatsu Barefoot Sports Massage Therapy

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Let your feet do the work for you!...

Top 10 most affordable universities for associate doctors

The most affordable schools for associate doctors are Logan University, cleveland university-kansas city, and life university.

If the best universities for associate doctors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for associate doctors.

1. Logan University

Chesterfield, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$6,800

Cost of attendance

18,068

2. Cleveland University-Kansas City

Overland Park, KS • Private

In-state tuition

$14,800

Cost of attendance

35,582

3. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,696

Cost of attendance

35,561

4. Aurora University

Aurora, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$24,260

Cost of attendance

34,650

5. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$26,750

Cost of attendance

37,752

6. University of Bridgeport

Bridgeport, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$33,055

Cost of attendance

49,222

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for associate doctors

The hardest universities for associate doctors to get into are Life University, Aurora University, and D'Youville College.

Some great schools for associate doctors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for associate doctors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

2. Aurora University

Aurora, IL • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,068

3. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

4. University of Bridgeport

Bridgeport, CT • Private

Admissions rate

57%

SAT average

997

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for associate doctors

The easiest schools for associate doctors to get into are Life University, d'youville college, and aurora university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an associate doctor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for associate doctors.

1. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

2. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

3. Aurora University

Aurora, IL • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,068

4. University of Bridgeport

Bridgeport, CT • Private

Admissions rate

57%

SAT average

997

Average associate doctor salary by education level

Associate doctor education levelAssociate doctor salary
Doctorate Degree$54,906

Associate doctor education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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