Established in 1973 by Dr. Thom Gelardi, the college is named for Dr. Lyle Sherman, an assistant director of the B. J. Palmer Chiropractic Research Clinic.

Sherman focuses on the correction of vertebral subluxations of the spine rather than diagnosis and treatment of symptoms in the modern medicine model; a philosophy it defended in an accreditation lawsuit with the American Chiropractic Association in 1986.

[6] The program consists of 14 quarters of study: classroom and hands-on instruction, internship in the Chiropractic Health Center, research opportunities, and community services.

Sherman was the first East Coast chiropractic college to use digital x-ray imaging for health center and local chiropractor patients.

[8] Each year in late April/early May, Sherman College sponsors the Lyceum,[9] a conference of seminars, workshops, awards, presentation of research and fellowship for the chiropractic community.