McMurry University and Texas Chiropractic College in Pasadena on Thursday signed an agreement allowing students in McMurry's Department of Biology's bachelor of science degree to go into TCC's doctor of chiropractic degree.

The agreement, which will be renegotiated in 10 years, would allow McMurry undergraduates to complete their prerequites in three years and transfer to TCC to complete the rest of their work toward their doctor of chiropractic degree. The program will begin in the fall semester.

"They (students) could, in six years, have their bachelor's from McMurry, their doctor of chiropractic, and a master's of science in fitness and human performance from the University of Houston in Clear Lake," said Dr. Larry Sharp, associate professor of biology and pre-med and pre-dental adviser at McMurry. "It's a win-win situation."

Sharp began pursuing the agreement with TCC two years ago. A chiropractor, Sharp said he wants to provide new avenues for students interested in pursuing careers in medical fields.

"It's not for the faint of heart," he said. "It's a rigorous program."

The students who would enter the program would be biology majors.

"Chiropractics is based in biology," said Sharp. "It's all about biology, biology of the body."

Sharp said the program didn't require McMurry to hire extra staff.

"With the current faculty, we can implement this program," he said.

Texas Chiropractic College is the fourth oldest chiropractic college in the United States. Provost Dr. Clay McDonald said TCC has similar agreements with other schools in Texas, plus a school in Louisiana and one in Pennsylvania. He said the strength of McMurry's science department was a determining factor in the agreement.

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Agreement allows McMurry students to work toward degree at Texas Chiropractic College