From the left, Michael Norris, Ph.D., vice chancellor of admissions & financial planning at Palmer College of Chiropractic; Dennis Marchiori, D.C., Ph.D., chancellor and CEO of Palmer; Andrea Talentino, president of Augustana; and Dianna Shandy, Ph.D., provost of Augustana.
Augustana and Palmer College of Chiropractic launch dual-degree program
Augustana College and Palmer College of Chiropractic formally signed a new dual-degree agreement today, 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 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.
"We're proud to partner with a Quad Cities neighbor to create a rigorous, hands-on and efficient pathway into chiropractic care."
"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, D.C., Ph.D., chancellor and CEO of Palmer College. “The demand and opportunities for Doctors of Chiropractic grow every year, and this provides another strong pathway for students who have the desire to provide conservative, non-invasive patient care.”
Dr. Marchiori also pointed out that the agreement means students will earn their two degrees in less time, for less cost and with less administrative process.
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
- 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.