Case manager education requirements

Q: What degree do you need to be a case manager?

You need a bachelor's degree in a healthcare-related field to be a case manager. A bachelor's degree will generally get you an entry-level job where you can begin to gain the experience you need beyond the degree. When considering which degree to pursue, you may want to consider where you will want your focus area to be. For example, if you want to manage mental health cases, you may want to get a degree in Psychology, while someone who wants to manage nursing cases would major in nursing. Internships are generally required for case managers, as on-the-job training is essential to the position. Many employers will require a CMC (case management certification) for employment and advancement. Preparing yourself through your education allows you to be highly skilled as a case manager. You will be qualified to work with clients' needs and desires, advocate for them, and see that they are receiving appropriate care.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a case manager. Case managers usually study psychology, nursing, or social work. 64% of case managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 146,655 real case manager resumes to see exactly what case manager education sections show.

The most common colleges for case managers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online case manager courses to help get the education required to be a case manager.

There are certain case manager certifications that you should consider. These case manager certifications include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant.

What education do you need to become a case manager?

What degree do you need to be a case manager?

The most common degree for case managers is bachelor's degree, with 64% of case managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 16% and associate degree degree at 14%.

Bachelor's, 64%

Associate, 16%

Master's, 14%

High School Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a case manager?

You should major in psychology to become a case manager. 20% of case managers major in psychology. Other common majors for a case manager include nursing and social work.

Psychology, 20%

Nursing, 16%

Social Work, 15%

Criminal Justice, 9%

Other Majors, 40%

Most common colleges for case managers

Case managers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Florida State University, and Temple University. Here are the most common colleges for case managers in the US based on their resumes.

Case manager common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	22.14%
Florida State University	5.19%
Temple University	5.06%
Arizona State University	5.03%
Pennsylvania State University	4.78%

Show more common case manager colleges

Best majors for case managers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Psychology	19.8%
2	Nursing	15.9%
3	Social Work	14.8%
4	Criminal Justice	9.3%
5	Business	7.2%

Show more common case manager majors

Best colleges for case managers

The best colleges for case managers are Boston College, New York University, and Johns Hopkins University.

A case manager with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for case managers. 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 case managers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

3. San Jose State University

San Jose, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,796

Enrollment

27,125

4. Coppin State University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$8,873

Enrollment

2,326

5. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

6. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

7. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Enrollment

32,072

9. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Enrollment

13,871

10. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

20 best online courses for case managers

Advertising disclosure

1. Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers

This course is designed with a singular goal: to improve the care you provide to your patients with substance use disorders. By delving into a model case performed by actors, seven Yale instructors from various fields provide techniques to screen your patients for substance use disorder risk, diagnose patients to gauge the severity of their use, directly manage treatment plans, refer out to treatment services, and navigate the various conditions that may limit your patient’s access to treatment...

2. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care

This course presents basic principles of cancer survivorship to primary-care physicians. Developed by a team of experts in caring for cancer survivors, and narrated by a primary-care physician, this course provides practical tips and tools that can be easily integrated into medical practice. You will learn about the complex physical and psychosocial needs and concerns of the growing number of cancer survivors, along with the key role that primary care physicians have in guiding these patients...

3. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs

4.7

(1,529)

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...

4. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)

4.7

(311)

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...

5. Health for All Through Primary Health Care

This course explores why primary health care is central for achieving Health for All. It provides examples of how primary health care has been instrumental in approaching this goal in selected populations and how the principles of primary health care can guide future policies and actions. Two of the most inspiring, least understood, and most often derided terms in global health discourse are “Health for All” and “Primary Health Care.” In this course, we will explore these terms in the context...

6. Operations and Patient Safety for Healthcare IT Staff

Now that you've been introduced to the world of Health IT and the important role played by electronic health records (EHRs), we'll focus on other technologies that play a role in maintaining ongoing operations in healthcare. Telemedicine, patient portals, barcode scanners, printers, and medical devices are just some of the technologies that impact providers and patients. As an IT support specialist, you’ll be asked to troubleshoot issues with a wide variety of tools. You'll see a scenario with...

7. Managing mental health issues in the workplace

4.1

(891)

Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...

8. Workplace Mental Health: A Manager's Ultimate Guide

4.6

(1,641)

How to manage mental health in the workplace to boost productivity and be the best boss!...

9. The Business of Health Care

This Specialization was designed to help you keep pace with the rapidly changing world of health and health care. Through partnership with Wharton and Penn Medicine, you’ll learn from experts in business acumen, health care management, and health care policy to develop the skills you’ll need to successfully navigate the quickly evolving landscape of this fast-growing field.* By the end of this specialization, you will have a strong foundational understanding of the American health care system,...

10. Health Care Delivery in Healthcare Organizations

Have you ever needed health care and thought that there must be better ways to get or deliver health care? For example, have you found yourself thinking that there should be a way to get a diagnostic test or treatment at home? Or do you work in a healthcare organization and find yourself thinking that there must be better ways to deliver health care? If you have, this course is for you. Course content includes an overview of health care delivery including healthcare consumerism, the patient's...

11. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives

4.5

(941)

Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...

12. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate

4.6

(1,115)

Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...

13. Value-Based Care: Managing Processes to Improve Outcomes

COURSE 3 of 7. This course is designed to introduce you to critical office-based processes that a value-based practice must manage in the drive towards improved patient outcomes. In Module 2, we’ll focus on office-based and clinical patient-based supporting functions. At every level in healthcare, guidelines, processes, and functions exist to improve outcomes, and following a consistent process will return the best effect. Refine your understanding of value and learn strategies to provide real...

14. Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care

In this course, you will be able to develop a systems view for assessing and managing pain in the palliative care setting. By the end of the course, you will be able to: 1) Describe the pain problem in the palliative care setting; 2) Assess a person’s pain, 3) Explain the benefits of integrative therapies and pharmacologic strategies to manage pain...

15. [2023] Customer Service 2.0: Learn Digital Customer Service

4.5

(3,956)

Used by Chase®, Intel®, & more! Learn soft skills, social media customer service, diagnosing user problems, & more...

16. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience

4.6

(2,666)

Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...

17. Prehospital care of acute stroke and patient selection for endovascular treatment using the RACE scale

Acute stroke is a time-dependent medical emergency. In acute ischemic stroke, the first objective is to restore brain flow using sistemic thrombolytic treatment and, in patients with large vessel occlusion, by endovascular treatment. In hemorrhagic stroke there are also specific treatments that can improve the clinical outcome. The sooner the initiation of all these therapies the higher the clinical benefit. Thus, the organization of Stroke Code systems coordinated between emergency medical...

18. Crisis Intervention Seminar

4.4

(634)

The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...

19. Business Communication Skills: Handling Clients & Customers

4.4

(1,161)

Soft Skills Training Social Skills Business Etiquette Business English Customer Service Training...

20. Customer Service Fundamentals: Putting People First

4.4

(313)

Customer Care Listening Great Customer Service Concern for Others Company Culture Engaging People Responding...

Top 10 most affordable universities for case managers

The most affordable schools for case managers are Hunter College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and california state university - fullerton.

If the best universities for case managers 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 case managers.

1. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

6. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

7. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

8. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

9. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

10. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for case managers

The hardest universities for case managers to get into are Boston College, New York University, and Johns Hopkins University.

Some great schools for case managers 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 case managers 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. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

2. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,398

6. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

9. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

10. Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,443

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for case managers

The easiest schools for case managers to get into are Nyack College, kean university, and texas woman's university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a case manager 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 case managers.

1. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

2. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

3. Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,059

4. Bluefield College

Bluefield, VA • Private

Admissions rate

95%

SAT average

980

5. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

6. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

7. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

8. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

9. College of New Rochelle, The

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

982

10. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

Average case manager salary by education level

According to our data, case managers with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $47,527 annually. Case managers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $38,409.

Case manager education level	Case manager salary
Master's Degree	$47,527
Bachelor's Degree	$38,409

Case manager education FAQs

What degree do you need to be a case manager?

What is the best college for Case Managers?

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Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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