
Parker University began in Dallas in 1982 as Parker College of Chiropractic. Its founder, chiropractor James W. Parker, established the institution to train chiropractic practitioners; the school later expanded into other health-related and professional fields.
The institution adopted the name Parker University in 2011, reflecting a broader range of credentials than its original chiropractic degree. That history still shapes its identity: chiropractic remains a central program, while undergraduate, graduate, and other professional offerings serve students with different career goals.
Parker University's academic offerings center on chiropractic, health sciences, and business and technology. Students should distinguish its Doctor of Chiropractic program from its undergraduate and other graduate degrees: they have different entry requirements, schedules, and professional outcomes.
Programs represented in the university's academic offerings include chiropractic, nutrition, anatomy and related sciences, kinesiology and sport-related study, psychology, health-care administration, and information technology. Prospective students should use the current academic catalog to check the exact credential, delivery format, clinical requirements, and course sequence for a particular program. A health-sciences degree, for example, does not by itself confer eligibility for every licensed health profession.
Parker University is in Dallas, Texas, at 2540 Walnut Hill Lane. Its location places students in a large metropolitan area rather than a traditional residential college town.
For students attending in person, travel time and transportation costs may be consequential parts of the enrollment decision. Dallas-Fort Worth offers health-care employers and clinical settings, but proximity to an employer does not establish that a particular program provides a placement there. Applicants should check where their required classes, labs, and clinical experiences meet before choosing a commute or signing a lease.
Parker University describes its purpose in terms of educating students for professional practice and service, with particular roots in chiropractic and health care. Its broader academic development extends that purpose into other health-sciences and professional programs.
The institution's chiropractic origins remain relevant to its educational philosophy, but applicants should evaluate each degree on its own curriculum and outcomes. A stated commitment to service or professional leadership is an institutional aim, not evidence that every graduate reaches the same career result.
Name of the institution
Parker UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999Parker University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.