International Chiropractic Education Alliance
Membership
Full Membership - US$995 (Educational Institutions offering chiropractic programs)
ICEA FULL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Associate Membership - US$795 (other organizations connected to chiropractic education)
Introduction
2024 marked 127 years of chiropractic education. From the establishment of the Palmer School and Cure in 1897, chiropractic education has expanded across the globe.
There are currently over 50 educational institutions around the world offering chiropractic training. Historically, it was the case that the majority of these programs were housed in North America, with the United States being the largest provider of chiropractic education by far. For decades, the U.S. was the only option for training as a chiropractor until programs were established in Canada and beyond. There are now institutions delivering chiropractic education in each of the WFC’s seven world regions.
More chiropractic programs now exist outside North America than within it. Yet despite this proliferation of global chiropractic education, there has existed no organization that represents all institutions and has provided a forum for discussion and advancement of chiropractic education internationally.
In a profession such as chiropractic, the WFC has recognized the need to rectify this shortcoming. The needs of patients and the public are such that there must be a constant awareness of trends, innovations, opportunities, challenges and threats to the delivery of chiropractic training. This can only be achieved through effective dialogue, the exchange of information and a coordinated platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas. This page describes the establishment the International Chiropractic Education Alliance under the banner of the World Federation of Chiropractic.
Background
The WFC has, since its inception, championed high standards of chiropractic education as a means of strengthening and advancing the chiropractic profession. It has long been recognized that the growth and development of chiropractic was fundamentally linked to education and training that was externally validated and accredited.
In many countries, the professional status of the chiropractor is recognized in law. Robust systems of regulation ensure that the public is protected by unqualified charlatans whose substandard training presents a danger to patients. Regulators govern the practice of chiropractic by establishing threshold standards of competence and professionalism, which guide requirements for pre-qualifying education and training.
In 2005, the World Health Organization published its Guidelines for Basic Training and Safety in Chiropractic. This landmark document, translated into official and unofficial languages of WHO, served as a template for the development of chiropractic, assisted in formal recognition of the profession by nations around the world, and afforded the profession international legitimacy and credibility. In 2021, it was agreed that these Guidelines should be updated and, in accordance with WHO’s similar documents, revisions would be referred to as Benchmarks. The Benchmarking project has been funded by a donation of the WFC, which in turn has collected contributions from global stakeholders who support the development of chiropractic education and training.
Until now, there has existed no global organization that serves as an umbrella to support, promote and assist in the development of chiropractic education. The Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) has decades of experience representing the interests of principally North American institutions, despite having admitted into membership educational providers from France and New Zealand.
However, there remains no over-arching organization to represent the interests of all international educational stakeholders. The ICEA aims to fill this void and provide a forum for chiropractic educational institutions throughout the world.
For over 20 years, the WFC has, in association with the ACC, delivered a biennial chiropractic education conference. These conferences have covered a range of themes and have attracted attendees from both within and outside the chiropractic profession. They have resulted in consensus statements being developed and published for the benefit of institutions worldwide.
The composition of chiropractic educational institutions has changed significantly over the years. From being single-program colleges, many now offer a wide range of health sciences programs and have diversified to meet the needs and expectations of modern health care education. Some chiropractic programs are housed in public universities, marking a transition from the days where chiropractic education was regarded as separate and distinct from any other health professions training.
Objectives
The ICEA serves as the overarching international body representing the interests of chiropractic educators around the world. It provides a forum for discussion, sharing of best practices and advocacy for high and consistent standards of education.
As a single body, operating under the WFC, the ICEA serves as an apolitical organization with a core aim of ensuring that chiropractic education remains fit for purpose, keeping an eye on identifying trends, innovations, and meeting challenges through active discussion, and consensus building.
The ICEA also serves as a platform for connecting global experts, liaising with accreditation organizations, advising on the establishment of new programs and serving as a specialist voice for chiropractic educators. It is also instrumental in contributing to the planning and execution of global education conferences.
Educational Institutions
AFRICA
Durban University of Technology (South Africa)***
University of Johannesburg (South Africa)***
ASIA
Camara Institute for Chiropractic Sciences (Philippines)
International Medical University (Malaysia)****
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN
Bahçeşehir University (Türkiye)
EUROPE
Barcelona College of Chiropractic (Spain)***
Fresenius University of Health Sciences (Germany)
Health Sciences University (UK)***
Hong Kong Chiropractic College (Hong Kong SAR)
IFEC (Paris & Toulouse, France)***
London South Bank University (UK)
Madrid College of Chiropractic (Spain)***
McTimoney College of Chiropractic (UK)***
McTimoney College of Chiropractic (Spain)***
Scandinavian College of Chiropractic (Sweden)
Teesside University (UK)
University of South Wales (UK)***
University of Southern Denmark (Denmark)***
University of Zurich (Switzerland)***
LATIN AMERICA
Centro Universitário Fametro (Unifametro) (Brazil)
Centro Universitário Gama e Souza - UNIGAMA (Brazil)
Centro Universitário UCEFF (Brazil)
Universidad Central de Chile (Chile)
Universidad Estatal del Valle de Ecatepec (Mexico)
Universidad Estatal del Valle de Toluca (Mexico)
Universidad Veracruzana (Mexico)
Universidade Anhembi Morumbi (Brazil)
Universidade Feevale (Brazil)
NORTH AMERICA
Campbellsville University (USA)
Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (Canada)**
Cleveland Chiropractic Kansas City (USA)*
D'Youville College (USA)*
Keiser University (USA)*
Life Chiropractic College West (USA)*
Life University (USA)*
Logan University (USA)*
National University of Health Sciences (USA)*
Northeast College of Health Sciences (USA)*
Northwestern Health Sciences University (USA)*
Palmer College of Chiropractic (Florida) (USA)*
Palmer College of Chiropractic (Davenport) (USA)*
Palmer College of Chiropractic (West) (USA)*
Parker University (USA)*
Sherman College of Chiropractic (USA)*
Southern California University of Health Sciences (USA)*
Texas College of Chiropractic (USA)*
Universidad Central del Caribe (Puerto Rico, USA)*
Université du Québec à Trois Rivières (Canada)**
University of Bridgeport (USA)*
University of Western States (USA)*
PACIFIC
Australian Chiropractic College (Australia)
Central Queensland University (Australia)****
Macquarie University (Australia)****
Murdoch University (Australia)****
New Zealand College of Chiropractic (New Zealand)****
RMIT University (Australia)****
KEY TO ACCREDITATION STATUS
* Accredited by Council on Chiropractic Education (USA)
** Accredited by Council on Chiropractic Education (Canada)
*** Accredited by European Council on Chiropractic Education
**** Accredited by Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia
Stakeholders
Full voting Members of the ICEA shall comprise programs and institutions conferring recognized chiropractic educational qualifications. From the representatives of the Members, a Coordinating Council will be selected.
The Member representatives serving on the Council will be afforded full voting rights and will meet in person at least once in every two years at the WFC Global Education Conference. To be accepted as full Members, programs or institutions will pay modest annual dues, to ensure the financial sustainability of the ICEA.
The ICEA will also offer a category of Associate Membership. This category will comprise organizations that are not of themselves educational programs or institutions but which are intimately involved with the support and provision of high-quality chiropractic education. Examining bodies, jurisdictional regulators, accreditation organizations, examining and testing boards, student bodies and other special interest groups will be invited to join this category of membership. While these organizations will not hold full voting privileges, they will nevertheless enjoy rights of attendance and speaking privileges at meetings of the ICEA, as well as invited representation on specialist task forces.