PEAK

 Practice, Excellence, Art and Knowledge

The PEAK program is a program designed to allow senior interns to complete their clinic requirements under the direction of an off-campus doctor. The doctor has qualified to become a Life University Extension Faculty member and serves as a mentor to help the intern not only develop clinically, but also prepare to make the transition from school to practice.

The PEAK Program is for student interns in their 13th or 14th quarters of study, in good academic standing and having passed the 12th quarter OSCE exam. Doctors of Chiropractic are credentialed through an application process to become a PEAK Doctor. The student intern works with the PEAK Doctor to provide patient care and fulfill other assignments given by the PEAK Doctor. Students are a participating team member of the clinic and a valuable part of the practice team. Interns perform history examinations, diagnoses and X-rays; provide chiropractic adjustments; and complete a Learning Objective Worksheet each week.

We have PEAK Clinics not only in Georgia, but also in 29 other states. One thing that sets our private practice experience apart from many other schools is that our students are able to not just observe, but actually adjust in all of our PEAK offices. In a private practice, our students hone their patient care skills by caring for and adjusting real-world patients. They also learn many details of real-life practice, such as front and back office procedures that work and how to manage a private practice.

In many other programs, student interns mostly just observe a practice. This is clearly not the case in the Life University PEAK Program. This experience allows the intern to gain valuable insights into the nuances of running a profitable practice and the rewards of providing quality chiropractic care. The PEAK Doctor acts as a mentor to the intern, helping to bridge the gap between the classroom, the college clinic and private practice. In many cases, the PEAK Doctor is not only a facilitator in the student intern’s development, but also becomes a lifelong mentor.

P.E.A.K.* – International

Students in 13th and 14th quarters of the Doctor of Chiropractic degree program at Life University are eligible for participation. Current locations include: Sweden,  Argentina, Singapore, Ghana, Peru, The Netherlands, and China.

International Locations

Sweden-VarnamoPeru-LimaGhana-AccraArgentina, Buenos AiresSpain-Barcelona & MalagaSingaporeThe Netherlands, VenrayChina, Kaifeng
This very busy clinic is run by a Life alumnus and is a full-family practice.  The DC’s wife is one of the chiropractic assistants in the office, and the atmosphere is very warm and friendly.  The city is quiet and small, so students who thrive on busy streets and nightlife would not be a good fit for this location.
This location currently has 1 approved office owned and operated by a Life Alumni and capable team.  Students will work in a traditional chiropractic office, but will have the opportunity to travel and provide chiropractic care to children in orphanages and seniors at nursing homes.  Also, this team is very involved in the media- TV shows (Hola Peru and a show like “The Doctors”) as well as ads on radio stations.
This is one of the most interesting and rewarding locations. Students interested in this location need a very open mind and preferably previous travel experience. The people are amazingly warm and wonderful and the chiropractic experience is unparalleled.
This opportunity is in a suburb called Belgrano which is high energy and filled with college students.  In addition to receiving excellent one-on-one mentoring, students will have the opportunity to provide regular chiropractic care to a local orphanage.  Fluency in Spanish is a requirement for this location.
There are 2 offices in Spain. One in Malaga and one in Barcelona. Both are busy modern offices that are 100% cash. Both offices incorporate Functional Neurology and traditional chiropractic methods. The offices are modern and located in beautiful scenic cities in Spain.
This location has 3 PEAK approved offices: Chiropractic First, Full Potential Chiropractic and PhysioMed.  Singapore is known as one of the safest and cleanest places in the world. English is spoken everywhere. These groups are very interested in hiring recent Life graduates, so this could be a great opportunity for students who are looking to practice abroad.
The PEAK office in The Netherlands is a beautiful modern office in a beautiful city. It is a 100% cash practice and offers a variety of support services to enhance the patient experience in support of the adjustment.
Kaifeng is a city in central China’s Henan province, just south of the Yellow River. Rebuilt many times, the city was the Northern Song Dynasty capital from the 10th to 12th centuries. Dating to that period is the Iron Pagoda, a 55m-tall octagonal structure built in 1049. The city’s Qing-era Daxiangguo Temple is noted for a 7m-high bodhisattva statue with approximately 1,000 hands.

We have a Life University sponsored clinic. Chiropractic is still in its infancy in China and Life University is making a huge impact in shaping the future of Chiropractic in this very large country.

As you can see, each of our locations provide an excellent and unique opportunity for our students.  If you have any other questions or would like to schedule a meeting to discuss specifics, please let me know; I will be happy to help!

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I participate in the International Clinics Program?

Students in 13th and 14th quarters of the Doctor of Chiropractic degree program at Life University are eligible for participation.

What are the specific requirements for participation?

To be considered for participation in the ICP, students must:

  • Have no unresolved honor code violations
  • Have a 2.5 GPA
  • A letter of recommendation from a Faculty Clinicians
  • Pass 12th quarter clinic and the OSCE exam
When do I need to apply?

Applications (which include a cover letter, CV, and application form) should be submitted no later than Friday of week 2 of the quarter prior to your desired quarter abroad.

Do my academic classes need to be completed prior to my participation in the ICP?
Your academic classes do not need to be complete prior to your participation in the ICP. However, your classes need to be completed the quarter you return.
How much does it cost to go?
Your expenses while participating in the ICP vary by location.  In addition to your tuition cost and university fees there is a charge for International Health Insurance.  Flights, room and board are paid for privately at the location.
Are there any scholarships available?

There are 2 scholarships available per quarter.  Visit http://www.life.edu/Scholarships  and look for “Internal Scholarships, International Clinic Scholarship” for eligibility requirements and application information.

What qualifications are needed?

To qualify for the International PEAK a student must have:

  • Not less than 2.5GPA, and be academically qualified
  • Pass a criminal background check,
  • Not have an F1 Visa,
  • Not have any unresolved Honor Code or Student Conduct issues,
  • Filed an Application for International PEAK on time

To qualify for the International PEAK Scholarship the student must:

  • Applicant must be accepted to participate in clinic abroad
  • Applicant must have a cumulative D.C. GPA of 2.75 or higher
  • Applicant must have earned no grades of “F” or “NP” in clinic and must have no pending or actual honor code violations on record
  • Applicant must show financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application that is available on-line at fafsa.ed.gov
  • Request Scholarship Application from Dr. Markham

For more information regarding International Clinic Programs, please contact Dr. John Markham, Executive Director of Level III Clinic Programs, 770-792-6100 John.Markham@LIFE.edu.

The Life University Clinics recognize and respect the self-aware, self-directed, self-maintaining, self-healing, and self-improving nature of life and living beings.