MISSION OF SHERMAN COLLEGE
OF STRAIGHT CHIROPRACTIC
 

Mission Statement
To be the leader in bringing straight chiropractic to the world.

Our mission is based upon the college's philosophy and core values, and encompasses:

Education
We shall educate, graduate, and support compassionate, ethical, and successful doctors of chiropractic who excel as primary health care providers centered on vertebral subluxation.

Research
We shall be the recognized leader in scholarly activity, institutional research, and clinical research centered on vertebral subluxation

Service
We shall serve humanity by providing the highest quality in chiropractic care, public education, professional partnerships, and community initiatives.



Core Values
1. We realize that our greatest assets are people and our mission. Without either of these, we have no reason for being and no means to put our ideal into action.
2. We honor and respect the innate intelligence of the body.
3. We hold that a vertebral subluxation-free life is a better life.
4. We have a regard for the inseparable and synergistic nature of the philosophy, science and art of chiropractic.
5. We value a sense of community, tradition and shared commitment to our ideals.
6. We recognize the inherent dignity of all people and offer them our best services regardless of race, religion or ability to pay.
7. We value perseverance, and are committed to helping others who share in our mission, in reaching their chiropractic goals.



Our Philosophy of Straight Chiropractic
Straight chiropractic espouses the vitalistic philosophy of life and health, and is defined as the art and science of locating, analyzing and correcting vertebral subluxation in accordance with that philosophy.

Straight chiropractic is based on the premise that living things have an innate striving toward organization, and that vertebral subluxation is an abnormal, but most often correctable, condition which interferes with the expression of that striving.



Goals
A. To develop and maintain a first professional degree program and the physical plant, faculty, staff and administration capable of fulfilling the mission of the institution.

B. To prepare students to qualify for licensure in various jurisdictions.

C. To teach the philosophy, science and art of chiropractic by:


1. Establishing the philosophy of chiropractic as the foundation for all considerations, policies, and decisions.
2. Educating all students in the relationship of chiropractic philosophy to the practice of chiropractic.
3. Teaching and further developing the science and art of locating and correcting vertebral subluxations.
4. Pursuing scientific research concerning the characteristics, analysis and correction of vertebral subluxations, and the characteristics and improvement of chiropractic education.
5. Teaching chiropractic technique as a highly skilled, specific art and to develop in students the dexterity necessary to practice that art.
6. Offering a diversified education in the basic sciences in order to provide students with a basis for understanding the science of chiropractic and its relationship to human physiology and health.
7. Developing in all students the necessary training, knowledge, skill and sense of responsibility to prepare them to serve humanity in the capacity of primary health care providers specializing in the area of vertebral subluxation.
8. Emphasizing the importance of communications as a tool by which to inform individual patients and communities of the significance of vertebral subluxations, and of the separate and unique objectives of chiropractic practice.
9. Instilling in students a sense of dedication and responsibility to a high ethical standard of practice toward patients, colleagues and the community.
10. Teaching practice management and office procedures applicable to the development of a successful practice.
11. Offering orientation courses for the spouses of students and for prospective students.
12. Offering continuing education, review and graduate level courses for field practitioners.
13. Developing for state, national and international chiropractic leadership, graduates who are fully versed in the philosophy, science and art of their profession.
14. Making available to the profession extension faculty for state, national and international conventions and seminars.
15. Accepting and fulfilling all the responsibilities of serving the student, the profession and the public through the philosophy, science and art of chiropractic.
16. Contributing to the city of Spartanburg and the state of South Carolina by presenting cultural and educational programs through faculty and student involvement in community affairs.
Sherman College offers equal educational opportunities to all persons without regard to age, race, gender, religion, veteran status, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status or disability.

Approved by the Board of Trustees October 2001



Expected Educational Results
Upon completing the requirements for the doctor of chiropractic degree at Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic, the student will be expected to:

1. Integrate the philosophical principles of chiropractic into the care of patients,

2. Demonstrate an understanding of human physiology, health assessment, maintenance and promotion, and their relationship to the science of chiropractic,

3. Integrate the knowledge acquired in the didactic program that is pertinent to the safe and effective practice of chiropractic into practical application in the care of patients,

4. Communicate the objectives of chiropractic care in both written and verbal form,

5. Perform those functions necessary to operate a successful chiropractic practice,

6. Demonstrate an inculcation of ethical values and a recognition of his/her responsibility to serve the patient as a primary health care provider,

7. Locate, analyze and correct vertebral subluxations effectively and safely including the
following:

a) Elicit and record the appropriate information for a patient’s case history,

b) Conduct an appropriate physical and spinal examination,

c) Conduct an appropriate x-ray examination and interpret the findings,

d) Integrate case history data, physical and spinal exam findings, and specialized diagnostic studies into a diagnosis and develop a plan of care for each patient which includes consultation with, co-management with, and/or referral to other health care providers when indicated,

e) Perform spinal adjustive procedures,

f) Identify an emergency or life-threatening situation and apply the appropriate care or procedures,

g) Create and maintain confidential patient records that are accurate, legible and complete.