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Career coordinator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a career coordinator. Career coordinators usually study business, psychology, or communication. 62% of career coordinators hold a bachelor's degree, and 22% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 746 real career coordinator resumes to see exactly what career coordinator education sections show.

The most common colleges for career coordinators are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online career coordinator courses to help get the education required to be a career coordinator.

There are certain career coordinator certifications that you should consider. These career coordinator certifications include Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) and Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP).

What education do you need to become a career coordinator?

What degree do you need to be a career coordinator?

The most common degree for career coordinators is bachelor's degree, with 62% of career coordinators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 22% and master's degree degree at 10%.
  • Bachelor's, 62%
  • Master's, 22%
  • Associate, 10%
  • High School Diploma, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a career coordinator?

You should major in business to become a career coordinator. 20% of career coordinators major in business. Other common majors for a career coordinator include psychology and communication.

Most common colleges for career coordinators

Career coordinators often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and University of Central Florida. Here are the most common colleges for career coordinators in the US based on their resumes.
Career coordinator common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix12.35%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro8.64%
University of Central Florida7.41%
Jacksonville State University6.17%
West Virginia University4.94%

Best majors for career coordinators

RankMajorPercentages
1Business19.9%
2Psychology10.7%
3Communication6.3%
4Education5.8%
5Social Work5.6%

Best colleges for career coordinators

The best colleges for career coordinators are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University.

A career coordinator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for career coordinators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become career coordinators.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

5. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

6. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,011

Enrollment

13,434

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

8. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

10. SUNY College at Oswego

Oswego, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,440

Enrollment

7,039

20 best online courses for career coordinators

Advertising disclosure

1. Career Discovery

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Actively creating a career journey that is fulfilling and integrates the best use of our personal strengths and skills is crucial to deriving value from the work that we do.\n\nThis specialization covers career planning, leadership and other essential skills and concepts, and what they mean for individuals in their career development. It starts with career planning as a pathway to employment, developed at the University System of Georgia, which comprises Georgia's public colleges and...

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Are you satisfied with your career? Where do you see yourself in the future? No matter where you are on your professional journey, careful planning will help you reach your goals. This course will help you adapt to rapidly evolving job markets by enhancing your self-knowledge and confidence to explore wider career opportunities. You will create a career development plan, encompassing your career goals, skills and knowledge development for your current and future jobs, and learn how to make the...

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Discover Your Purpose & Ideal Career w/ the Author of the #1 Career and Job-Hunting Book “What Color is Your Parachute?”...

5. Goodwill® Career Coach and Navigator

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Are you passionate about helping people change their lives with skills and jobs so they can earn a good living and feel fulfilled by the work they do? Do you want a rewarding career that advances equity and helps strengthen communities? Explore a new career as a Career Coach or Navigator where you can help others develop the skills and confidence to pursue their next career move.\n\nThis, ICF accredited, Professional Certificate includes four beginner-level courses to help you build skills that...

6. Career Self-Management Training and Certification

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In the business world, smart organizations use branding and strategic management techniques to differentiate themselves from their competition and to achieve a competitive advantage. In this Specialization, you will learn how to use proven brand management methods and tools for individual career development in competitive job environments. You will gain knowledge and analytical skills for career self-management and learn techniques for career brand building. You will create a robust...

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Career Coaching Practitioner Course Graduates Ready-To-Work Professionals in Holistic Career Development Career Coaching...

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9. Strategic Career Self-Management

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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the current economy, Americans shift jobs every 4-5 years, which translates into 8-10 job transitions, including several career changes, over one’s life time. With competition for jobs on the rise, a person’s continuing employability and career success are increasingly defined by his or her mastery of individual career development and the ability to effectively "manage oneself" (P. Drucker). In this course, you will learn how to think...

10. CVS Health Retail Customer Service

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The demand for customer service representatives is huge, there are thousands of open job roles in the US alone. This program prepares you for a retail customer service role. Retail customer service is an exciting career where every day is a new day and a new adventure. The target audience for this certificate is anyone who is customer obsessed and is looking to launch a career in retail customer service.\n\nThis program uniquely prepares you for your new role by using a blend of videos,...

11. [2023] Career Hacking: World's Bestselling Job Search Course

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18. Start Career in CyberSecurity in 2023 - The Ultimate Guide

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19. 50 Career & Self Development Tips: Welcome to the New You!

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20. Customer Service Success: Take Your Skills to the Next Level

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Top 10 most affordable universities for career coordinators

The most affordable schools for career coordinators are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for career coordinators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for career coordinators.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

5. University of Houston - Victoria

Victoria, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$6,491

Cost of attendance

19,075

6. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

7. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

10. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for career coordinators

The hardest universities for career coordinators to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University.

Some great schools for career coordinators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for career coordinators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

4. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

5. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

9. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

10. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for career coordinators

The easiest schools for career coordinators to get into are University of North Texas at Dallas, gwynedd mercy university, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a career coordinator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for career coordinators.

1. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

2. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

3. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

4. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

5. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

6. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

7. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

8. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

9. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

10. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

Average career coordinator salary by education level

According to our data, career coordinators with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $49,549 annually. Career coordinators with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $48,603.
Career coordinator education levelCareer coordinator salary
Master's Degree$48,603
Bachelor's Degree$41,572
Doctorate Degree$49,549

Career coordinator education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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