New grad school pathway forged for U of GH Kinesiology students to pursue Doctor of Chiropractic degree

The University of Guelph-Humber’s (U of GH) Kinesiology program has formalized and simplified the pathway for aspiring chiropractors through a recent agreement between the University and Seneca Falls, N.Y.-based Northeast College of Health Sciences. 

This new and exciting pathway makes it easier for U of GH students to apply to Northeast College’s three-year graduate program to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. The articulation agreement officially began in summer 2024, and the first cohort of U of GH students is in the process of applying through this opportunity for the first time. 

“For Northeast wanting to create an agreement with us speaks highly of the University [of Guelph-Humber] and our curriculum because our alumni have been very successful, and this articulation pathway will send more graduates to their institution,” U of GH Kinesiology Chair Dr. Leslie Auger said. 

Northeast College has been a popular choice for graduate school for U of GH students for many years, so the agreement was a good fit, Dr. Auger said. The school is located near the Canada-U.S. border, so students can easily attend classes in New York and complete their placement back in Ontario, if they choose to do so. Also, Northeast has a strong understanding of Canadian regulating bodies, so students avoid challenges that could stem from earning their degree in the U.S. and being a chiropractor in Canada.  

“Our students are already successful in their applications and in completing their degrees – Northeast saw that. They find our students very strong, especially in anatomy, and then we see students graduating from Northeast and having successful careers in Canada,” Dr. Auger said.   

The agreement allows for early admission, which reduces stress for students when applying to grad school, Dr. Auger said. Within the first two years of their Kinesiology undergraduate degree, they can apply to Northeast College and identify their desired start date. The program requires three years of an undergraduate degree to be completed. 

Moreover, there are scholarships and discounts available to U of GH students attending the school. All incoming Canadian students are eligible for 30 per cent off tuition through the Northeast College Canadian Chiropractic Scholarship. But unique to the agreement, Guelph-Humber students entering with a 3.0-3.499 cumulative grade point average are automatically awarded a merit scholarship valued at US$1,500, and students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher will receive a merit scholarship valued at US$2,500. 

Dr. Auger said she hopes there are more agreements to be made in the future, solidifying early admission, scholarships, and clear pathways to the various postgraduate programs available to a graduate of the Kinesiology program.  

“The Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Kinesiology opens many doors for graduates. We have courses to set them up for success in graduate school. But if we can make that path even easier, then it only helps our students,” Dr. Auger said.