How long does it take to become a Research Assistant?

It takes 2 years of professional experience to become a research assistant. That is the time it takes to learn specific research assistant skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 5 to 7 years years to become a research assistant.

There are certain skills that you need to obtain in order to become a successful research assistant. Some of the most common skills are listed below. Along with each skill, we provide an actual example of how someone included the skill on their resume:

1. Lab Equipment -- Well versed in growing bacteria and mammalian cell cultures without contamination of specimen along with decontamination of lab equipment.

2. Research Projects -- Worked independently on a variety of research projects for clients including Vietnam veterans, university professors, and international companies.

3. Data Collection -- Core personnel in a social and behavioral science research lab responsible for data collection and coding behavioral data for statistical analysis.

4. Data Analysis -- Conducted data analysis using Microsoft Office and SPSS to contribute to published research concerned with correlating gait kinematics with psychological emotions.

5. Laboratory Equipment -- Operated and maintained various types of laboratory equipment in order to ensure optimal experiment procedure, helping to ensure accurate results.

Common Educational Background For A Research Assistant

The education needed to be a Research Assistant is normally a Bachelor's Degree. Research Assistants usually study Psychology, Biology or Chemistry. 74.0% of Research Assistants hold a Bachelor's Degree and 14.0% hold a Master's Degree. We found these by analyzing 300061 Research Assistant resumes to investigate the topic of Research Assistant education more precisely.

The most common colleges for students to pursue their goal of becoming a Research Assistant are University of California, Santa Barbara and University of California - Davis. We also broke down what colleges provide the best overall education for a Research Assistant. Students have a great path to earning their Research Assistant qualifications at the following schools:

1. Harvard University
2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
3. Columbia University in the City of New York

If you're interested in getting a college degree in an affordable college for Research Assistants - Baruch College of the City University of New York is an excellent option for you. If your SAT or ACT score aren't as high as you'd like, you can look at Mount Saint Mary's University, as the admission requirements aren't too selective. On the other end of that spectrum are the Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York and Duke University.

For those who would rather stay in your pajamas during the day, we prepared some online courses that can help in Research Assistant education paths.

Common Certifications For A Research Assistant

The Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) certification is most common among Research Assistants. This certification is awarded by the American Red Cross. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience. To become a certified Research Assistant with Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), You need to pass the exam. Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience. Renew certification every year.