Life University

Two on-campus housing options: Life Village Retreat (LVR) and The Commons

Life University was ranked as the No. 1 most diverse college in Georgia and the No. 18 most diverse college in the nation by Niche.com for 2023.

Life University's undergraduate degrees are $301 per credit hour, coming out to approximately $13,545 tuition per year. Graduate degrees are $345 per credit hour, coming out to approximately $9,315 tuition per year (9 credit hours per quarter). The professional Doctor of Chiropractic degree is $413 per credit hour, coming out to approximately $30,975 tuition per year (25 credit hours per quarter).

Most students at Life University utilize financial aid to fund at least some portion of their education. College students will likely use financial aid to cover the cost of tuition and possibly to assist with cost-of-living expenses. Many Life U students are able to use Work-Study, loans, grants and/or scholarships to pay for their education, depending on eligibility. Students can review those they are eligible for on the Financial Aid Programs page.

The financial aid award package and additional options vary greatly depending upon the degree in which a student is seeking. Registered hours not counting toward a student's degree cannot be used in determining his/her enrollment status for federal aid eligibility. He/Her will want to be sure he/her understands all the costs associated with being a Life U student and observe the financial aid instructions carefully.

Life University's Department of Disability Services Department provides accommodations according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 Rehab Act and ADAA guidelines by supporting fair and reasonable accommodations.

Students with documented disabilities may request reasonable accommodations, which will afford them equal access to all educational programs and activities of the University. Requests for reasonable accommodations must be made to Disability Services. The University complies with all state and federal regulations regarding the provision of reasonable accommodations to educational programs and services in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 Rehab Act and the ADAA. For more information about disability services or to apply for accommodations, please complete the DS Application at the link below.

At Life University, we provide our students, faculty and staff with the technology they need to be successful in their classes or at their jobs.

We offer an IT help desk for anyone who is having technical issues as well as mobile apps that ease the process of living and working at a large university.

Our Drs. Sid E. & Nell K. Williams Library has multiple computer workstations for students, faculty and staff with access to WiFi and the Interlibrary Loan system, allowing one to obtain research and information from libraries around the world.

In Life U's William M. Harris Center for Clinical Education, there is a Mastery Testing Center that comprises more than 70 computer stations used for testing purposes for all academic departments within the University. Students can go into that area to take a lecture exam, an exam utilizing digital x-rays, or any knowledge-based formative or summative assessment that could be administered on a computer.

DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Life University’s College of Chiropractic (COC) is committed to following the accepted standards of professional ethics, especially with respect to student recruitment and public information. The College of Chiropractic’s Doctor of Chiropractic Program (DCP) supports and is in compliance with the Standards of the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) in regard to admission requirements.
The Doctor of Chiropractic Program has specific prerequisites as follows: Prior to beginning a chiropractic education, one must have completed a minimum total of 90 semester credit hours or 135 quarter credit hours of non-duplicate coursework with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above.
A minimum of 48 semester credit hours or 72 quarter credit hours must be credits in the coursework listed below.
 

Life University has 11 student parking lots; four employee parking lots; three open parking lots; one designated handicap-only parking lot, with most all other lots offering handicap parking; one designated housing lot; and three visitor lots.

Life University has 215 international students from more than 30 countries. This makes up 8% of the student population.

Life University offers 14 undergraduate degrees (A.S. Health and Wellness, B.S. Anatomy and Physiology, B.S. Biology, B.S. Biopsychology, B.S. Business Administration, B.S. Computer Information Systems and Technology, B.S. Culinary Nutrition, B.S. Dietetics, B.S. Exercise Science, B.S. Health Coaching, B.A. Environment and Sustainability, B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies, B.S. Nutrition, B.S. Psychology), four graduate degrees (MBA Master of Business Administration, M.S. Clinical Nutrition, M.S. Positive Psychology, M.S. Sport Health Science) and one professional degree (D.C. Doctor of Chiropractic). Ten of the 19 degrees are offered online.

The mission of Life University is to empower each student with the education, skills and values to maximize the perfection within, based upon a vitalistic philosophy.
 
Life University is committed to a global vision and excellence in teaching, learning and research, providing an exceptional student experience leading to a life of Integrity and Lasting Purpose.
 
 

With its vitalistic vision, clearly defined performance proficiencies and measurable criteria for success, a Life University education will produce leaders who exemplify humanistic values and, in a world where change is constant, provide innovative approaches to direct that change to elevate society and evolve its healthcare system.

-Dr. Joe Dispenza (Chiropractor and World-Renowned speaker)
-Dr. Eric Plasker (Chiropractor and Best-selling author
-Dr. Josh Axe (Chiropractor and Nutrition Blogger)
-Cam Dolan (Professional Rugby)
-Harley Davidson (Professional Rugby)
-Phil Thiel (Professional Rugby)
 

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The idea for Life University was conceived among a group of prominent chiropractors led by Dr. Sid Williams during several retreats in Ormond Beach, Florida. The discussion centered on the need for a principled and vitalistic-based chiropractic college in the Southeast.
In 1975, Life Chiropractic College opened its doors using half of what was, at the time, the Georgia Unemployment Office. Twenty-two students attended the first classes in January 1975. Since that "Day-One class," the school has grown both in enrollment and physical space, acquiring land and buildings and constructing new facilities. Currently, Life University occupies 110 acres of property on the northwest corner of the intersection of Cobb Parkway (US 41) and South Cobb Drive (US 253) in Marietta, Georgia.
By 1990, under the leadership of the founder/president Dr. Sid Williams, Life College had grown to become the largest chiropractic college in the world. In 1996, Life College expanded its degree offerings to include an undergraduate school and became Life University.
In June 2002, Life University's accreditation was questioned by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Accreditation by the CCE was temporarily suspended before being restored by a Federal Court injunction. Life University was put on temporary probation by SACS, but returned to normal status soon after the accrediting restoration by CCE. During this time, Dr. Sid Williams resigned as President of Life University.
Michael Schmidt, D.C. was installed as interim President in July 2002. Dr. Schmidt diverted resources from many of the programs and initiatives secondary to academics, such as the athletic program, in order to keep the University solvent. Other cost-cutting measures included workforce reductions, and the sale of off-campus administrative and industrial buildings owned by the University. During the relative uncertainty of this period in LIFE's history, enrollment dropped significantly.
In January 2003, Benjamin DeSpain, Ph.D. was named President. Prior to his arrival, Dr. DeSpain had developed a reputation in his previous positions in higher education for turning the most challenging situations into opportunities for growth. It was during his tenure that the University's programmatic accreditation was restored retroactively by the Federal Court.
In March 2004, Guy F. Riekeman, D.C., was installed as President of Life University, a role in which he served for more than 13 years through May 2017 when he was appointed University Chancellor. Dr. Riekeman, former Chancellor of Palmer Chiropractic University, played a key role in restoring Life University's credibility as an institution of higher learning while serving as president. Within months of his appointment, he raised millions of dollars for capital expenditures and operating costs. Dr. Riekeman also led the University through reaffirmation of accreditation by SACS and CCE. Enrollment began growing again in 2004 and has been increasing consistently ever since. By 2008, Life University once again housed the largest single campus chiropractic college in the world, a distinction it holds to this day.
While under the direction of Dr. Riekeman, Life U underwent transformational innovation that set a standard of world-class excellence in the physical campus, curriculum design, academic programs and national policy. Dr. Riekeman established Life U as a premiere university with an international reputation for service and as a thought leader in the healthcare industry.
Changes included new construction built to Gold-level LEED standards, the "greening" of the campus and modernization of existing buildings. Life University also established chiropractic clinics in places such as China and Costa Rica, while also establishing chiropractic education across the globe through international governing bodies and universities. It developed the first master's degree program in positive psychology with an emphasis on secular ethics and human flourishing.
Additionally, Life U is known throughout North America for its sports programs, especially its top-ranked rugby, track and field, and wrestling programs.

College of Chiropractic
The College of Chiropractic at Life U remains the institution's flagship, globally acknowledged for its unparalleled training of chiropractors. Chiropractic care stands as a vital aspect of health and well-being, addressing not only physical but also emotional and mental health, with a special emphasis on the identification, analysis and correction of subluxations, a condition where one or more vertebrae in the spine become misaligned and disrupt optimal nervous system function.

Dr. Bernadette Lavender, Associate Dean of the College of Chiropractic, emphasizes the profound impact of chiropractic care on the human experience. "Chiropractic care centers around the body's innate ability to heal and self-regulate, placing a particular focus on addressing subluxations within the spine and nervous system. Chiropractors play a crucial role in helping individuals achieve optimal physical health, reduce pain and promote overall well-being."

Life U's Doctor of Chiropractic degree program is renowned for its dedication to vitalistic principles and chiropractic philosophy, with a central focus on locating, analyzing and correcting subluxations. Graduates from this program emerge not only as highly skilled practitioners, but also as fervent advocates for a vitalistic approach to health. Collaborating with patients to alleviate pain, enhance mobility and promote overall wellness, they make substantial contributions to optimizing the human experience.