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Community health advocate education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a community health advocate. Community health advocates usually study business, psychology, or human services. 50% of community health advocates hold a bachelor's degree, and 22% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 195 real community health advocate resumes to see exactly what community health advocate education sections show.

The most common colleges for community health advocates are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online community health advocate courses to help get the education required to be a community health advocate.

What education do you need to become a community health advocate?

What degree do you need to be a community health advocate?

The most common degree for community health advocates is bachelor's degree, with 50% of community health advocates earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 22% and associate degree degree at 17%.
  • Bachelor's, 50%
  • Associate, 22%
  • Master's, 17%
  • High School Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a community health advocate?

You should major in business to become a community health advocate. 16% of community health advocates major in business. Other common majors for a community health advocate include psychology and human services.

Most common colleges for community health advocates

Community health advocates often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Coastal Carolina University, and New York University. Here are the most common colleges for community health advocates in the US based on their resumes.
Community health advocate common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix10.87%
Coastal Carolina University6.52%
New York University6.52%
Wright State University6.52%
Towson University6.52%

Best majors for community health advocates

RankMajorPercentages
1Business15.5%
2Psychology10.7%
3Human Services10.7%
4Sociology6.8%
5Nursing6.8%

Best colleges for community health advocates

The best colleges for community health advocates are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and Northeastern University.

A community health advocate with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for community health advocates. 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 community health advocates.

1. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

2. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Enrollment

13,871

5. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

6. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Enrollment

34,564

7. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

8. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

9. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

10. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

20 best online courses for community health advocates

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1. Health for All Through Primary Health Care

coursera

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...

2. Foundational Skills for Communicating About Health

coursera

Effective communication is a core skill that nearly every health professional will need and use during their careers. Yet, few health professionals receive even basic training in how to design communications to be clear and successful. As “foundational skills,” the content in this course can be applied to both oral and written communication, within and beyond health. Learners will develop the skills to: analyze and tailor a communication effort for different audiences, develop clear messages,...

3. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate

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4.6
(1,115)

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

4. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Health & Wellness

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4.7
(594)

Learn about holistic health, wellness, key biomarkers, good sleep and ways to optimize your health...

5. Social Determinants of Health

coursera

This is an introductory course on social determinants of population health with a focus on the United States. The course will introduce you to, or reinforce your knowledge of, issues related to health that consider behavioral, psychological and structural factors in population health beyond the healthcare system. We will examine social, economic, and political factors that contribute to health inequalities and suggest innovative ways to reduce disparities in health when the goal is to achieve...

6. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care

coursera

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...

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

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4.7
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Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...

8. Managing mental health issues in the workplace

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4.1
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Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...

9. The Business of Health Care

coursera

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

coursera

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. Health Coaching Certification Holistic Wellness Health Coach

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4.4
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Health Coaching Practitioner Course Graduates Prepared Health Coaching Specialists in Holistic Wellness Health Coaching...

12. Mental Health and Wellness Professional (MHW) Diploma Course

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4.7
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Discover a flexible and comprehensive way of understanding mental health as a Certified Mental Health Professional (MHP)...

13. The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health

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The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health provides an engaging overview of the incredible accomplishments and promise of the public health field. The first module includes interviews with legendary public health figures whose work led to millions of lives saved with vaccines, air bags and car seats, and the federal Women Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. The second module brings key public health tools to life -- including use of data, communications, and policy - through...

14. Health Care IT: Challenges and Opportunities

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A strong argument can be made that the health care field is one of the most information-intensive sectors in the U.S. economy and avoidance of the rapid advances in information technology is no longer an option. Consequently, the study of health care information technology and systems has become central to health care delivery effectiveness. This course covers the modern application of information technology that is critical to supporting the vision and operational knowledge of the health care...

15. Health Data 101

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4.4
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An Introduction to Health Data for data analysts...

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

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4.6
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How to manage mental health in the workplace to boost productivity and be the best boss!...

17. Health Masterclass: How To Transform Your Health & Life

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4.4
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Master The 3 Surprising Steps That Can Finally Transform Your Health In The Next 30 Days...

18. Mental Health and Neuroplasticity: Change your Brain

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4.8
(1,653)

10 Alternatives to Medication to Improve Mental Health - Research backed treatments for Depression and Anxiety...

19. Mental Health First Aid Skills -

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4.4
(1,774)

This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge for learners to help and support those experiencing MH issues...

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

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4.7
(311)

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

Top 10 most affordable universities for community health advocates

The most affordable schools for community health advocates are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for community health advocates 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 community health advocates.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

5. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,140

Cost of attendance

14,430

9. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

10. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for community health advocates

The hardest universities for community health advocates to get into are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and Northeastern University.

Some great schools for community health advocates 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 community health advocates 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 Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

3. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

5. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

6. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

8. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

9. University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL • Private

Admissions rate

32%

SAT average

1,365

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for community health advocates

The easiest schools for community health advocates to get into are Barry University, d'youville college, and notre dame de namur university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a community health advocate 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 community health advocates.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

3. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

4. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

6. Marymount University

Arlington, VA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,065

7. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

8. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

994

9. Waynesburg University

Waynesburg, PA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,080

10. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

Average community health advocate salary by education level

According to our data, community health advocates with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $38,483 annually. Community health advocates with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $35,127.
Community health advocate education levelCommunity health advocate salary
Master's Degree$38,483
High School Diploma or Less$31,848
Bachelor's Degree$35,127
Some College/ Associate Degree$32,366

Community health advocate 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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