On Wednesday April 21, 1993, the Board of Governors of the State of Connecticut Department of Higher Education granted accreditation to the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic (UBCC), the nation's first university-based chiropractic program. The college has also filed eligibility documents with the Commission on Accreditation (COA) of the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE).
The accrediting process of the Department of Higher Education (DHE) began in September 1990. In December of that year the DHE licensed the chiropractic program, stipulating that UBCC develop a detailed library plan and raise its admission standards to include a minimum of 90 undergraduate credits. This was consistent with other doctoral programs in the state.
In February 1993, the DHE visit the Bridgeport campus to review the chiropractic program. The site team met with administrators of the University and the Chiropractic College, and with chiropractic students and faculty. The team found UBCC to be in compliance with state accreditation standards. On the basis of the team's report, the Advisory Committee on Accreditation recommended accreditation by the Board of Governors in March of 1993.
College of Chiropractic Dean Frank Zolli, DC, announced that UBCC has also filed eligibility documents with the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). The documents have been accepted and the college will submit a self study to the COA by October 1, 1993. A site visit by the COA is anticipated in the spring of 1994.
With part of its accreditation process completed, UBCC is working toward collaborative efforts with other colleges of the university. Faculty members are investigating the feasibility of doing research in the area of biomechanics with the College of Engineering. To sharpen the business acumen of chiropractic graduates, UBCC has reached an agreement with the College of Business: Students enrolled in the College of Chiropractic will be taught small business management procedures by the faculty of the College of Business.
The UBCC first admitted students into the chiropractic program in September of 1991, and currently has 62 students in four different graduating classes (see "University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic Opens Its Doors" in the Sept. 27, 1991 issue). The college's outpatient health center is scheduled to open in September 1993. Patients will be treated primarily by interns beginning in January 1994.
