Augustana College and Palmer College of Chiropractic formally signed a new dual-degree agreement on Thursday, April 24. It establishes an accelerated pathway for students to earn a Bachelor of Arts in kinesiology from Augustana and a Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer.
The program, set to begin at the two Quad Cities colleges in fall 2025, will offer qualified students a streamlined journey that can save as much as a year in earning their dual degree. Under it, students would spend three years at Augustana followed by three years and four months at Palmer.
Students will be able to transfer up to 30 credit hours from Palmer’s chiropractic program to complete their Augustana degree, an innovative reverse transfer model that prioritizes flexibility, efficiency and real-world readiness, according to a news release announcing the signing event.
“Both Augustana and Palmer are deeply committed to preparing future health care leaders,” Augustana President Andrea Talentino said in the release. “We’re proud to partner with a Quad Cities neighbor, one that also offers the world’s most prestigious chiropractic degree, to create a rigorous, hands-on and efficient pathway into chiropractic care, launching students into impactful careers and contributing to community wellness.”
The new program blends Augustana’s liberal arts foundation with rigorous STEM coursework, community health projects and immersive learning in kinesiology.
Students will then transition into Palmer’s nationally recognized Doctor of Chiropractic program, building deep clinical expertise and graduating ready to serve in today’s evolving health care landscape, the release said.
“The agreement between Palmer College and Augustana College is beneficial not only to students, but also their future patients,” Palmer College Chancellor and CEO Dennis Marchiori, D.C., said in the release.
A new pathway for students
“The demand and opportunities for Doctors of Chiropractic grows every year, and this provides another strong pathway for students who have the desire to provide conservative, non-invasive patient care,” Dr. Marchiori added.
Graduates will be celebrated in commencement ceremonies at both institutions, a rare opportunity that honors their academic achievements and professional readiness. Rock Island-based Augustana will lead recruitment for the program, with support in advising and clinical integration, from Palmer, whose main campus is in central Davenport.
How to qualify
To qualify, Augustana students must:
- Complete prerequisite coursework at Augustana.
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA (2.75 considered, not guaranteed).
- Receive a positive recommendation from the Division Dean of STEM.
- Complete the Palmer application process.
The partnership reflects Augustana’s growing presence in health care education, joining recent expansions in public health, neuroscience and kinesiology to advance its mission to prepare graduates to be ethical, skilled and forward-thinking leaders in medicine, wellness and health care.
For more information on the kinesiology and chiropractic dual-degree program, contact Wendy Kelley in Augustana’s Office of Admissions at [email protected].
