ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (April 22, 2025) — Augustana College and Palmer College of Chiropractic will formally sign a new dual-degree agreement at 2PM on Thursday, April 24, establishing an accelerated pathway for students to earn a Bachelor of Arts in kinesiology from Augustana and a Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer.
Set to begin in fall 2025, the program offers qualified students a streamlined journey in which they can save approximately one year in earning their dual degree: Three years at Augustana followed by three years and four months at Palmer. Students will transfer up to thirty 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.
“Both Augustana and Palmer are deeply committed to preparing future health-care leaders,” said Augustana President Andrea Talentino. “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 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 agreement between Palmer College and Augustana College is beneficial not only to students, but also their future patients,” said Dennis Marchiori DC, chancellor and CEO of Palmer College. “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.”
Graduates will be celebrated in commencement ceremonies at both institutions, a rare opportunity that honors their academic achievements and professional readiness. Augustana will lead recruitment for the program, with support from Palmer in advising and clinical integration.
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; and
● 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 wendykelley@augustana.edu.
