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Community outreach specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a community outreach specialist. Community outreach specialists usually study business, communication, or psychology. 65% of community outreach specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,761 real community outreach specialist resumes to see exactly what community outreach specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for community outreach specialists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online community outreach specialist courses to help get the education required to be a community outreach specialist.
There are certain community outreach specialist certifications that you should consider. These community outreach specialist certifications include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP).
What education do you need to become a community outreach specialist?
What degree do you need to be a community outreach specialist?
- Bachelor's, 65%
- Master's, 14%
- Associate, 13%
- High School Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a community outreach specialist?
- Business, 14%
- Communication, 11%
- Psychology, 10%
- Social Work, 6%
- Other Majors, 59%
Most common colleges for community outreach specialists
| Community outreach specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 15.72% |
| Temple University | 7.55% |
| Howard University | 7.55% |
| University of North Texas | 5.03% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 5.03% |
Best majors for community outreach specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 14.4% |
| 2 | Communication | 11.3% |
| 3 | Psychology | 10.3% |
| 4 | Social Work | 6.5% |
| 5 | Political Science | 5.3% |
Best colleges for community outreach specialists
The best colleges for community outreach specialists are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and Boston University.
A community outreach specialist 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 outreach specialists. 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 outreach specialists.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Enrollment
13,871
3. Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,853
Enrollment
14,759
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
6. Saint Joseph's College, New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$27,830
Enrollment
937
7. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
8. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
20 best online courses for community outreach specialists
Advertising disclosure
1. Foundational Skills for Communicating About Health
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,...
2. Breastfeeding: Public Health Perspectives
Engaging in this course will provide you with the opportunity to think about breastfeeding and its public health implications. The Socio-Ecological Model will be the framework of the course as we think about how each level of the Model (individual, interpersonal, community, organizational, and public policy) impacts breastfeeding practices in the United States, and globally. Through short video lectures you will be introduced to relevant topics related to the public health perspectives of...
3. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate
Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...
4. Health Coaching Certification Holistic Wellness Health Coach
Health Coaching Practitioner Course Graduates Prepared Health Coaching Specialists in Holistic Wellness Health Coaching...
5. Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice
Epidemiology is often described as the cornerstone science in public health. Epidemiology in public health practice uses study design and analyses to identify causes in an outbreak situation, guides interventions to improve population health, and evaluates programs and policies. In this course, we'll define the role of the professional epidemiologist as it relates to public health services, functions, and competencies. With that foundation in mind, we'll introduce you to the problem solving...
6. Population Health: Governance
How can we organise care in such a way that we optimize experience, quality and costs? What type of governance is needed? And how should healthcare organisations collaborate? These are central questions in this course. In answering them, we depart from a recognition of the impact of three crucial global shifts in health care governance: 1) the change in focus from cure to population health, 2) the increased attention to social determinants of health, and 3) the stronger involvement of...
7. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
8. Mental Health and Wellness Professional (MHW) Diploma Course
Discover a flexible and comprehensive way of understanding mental health as a Certified Mental Health Professional (MHP)...
9. The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health
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...
10. 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...
11. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Health & Wellness
Learn about holistic health, wellness, key biomarkers, good sleep and ways to optimize your health...
12. Managing mental health issues in the workplace
Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...
13. Systems Thinking In Public Health
This course provides an introduction to systems thinking and systems models in public health. Problems in public health and health policy tend to be complex with many actors, institutions and risk factors involved. If an outcome depends on many interacting and adaptive parts and actors the outcome cannot be analyzed or predicted with traditional statistical methods. Systems thinking is a core skill in public health and helps health policymakers build programs and policies that are aware of and...
14. Leadership for Public Health Crises
Leadership for Public Health Crises will enable current and prospective managers, directors, unit heads, and elected officials to effectively lead their organizational response to profound health-related emergencies and to build leadership capacity across multiple sectors, agencies, organizations, and divisions. This series of courses prepares graduate students (in, e.g., public administration, public health, social work, business, homeland security, education, and related fields) and...
15. Workplace Mental Health: A Manager's Ultimate Guide
How to manage mental health in the workplace to boost productivity and be the best boss!...
16. Health Data 101
An Introduction to Health Data for data analysts...
17. Health Equity Research & Practice: Local & Global Lessons
This course introduces students to the local and global lessons in health equity research and practice, covering topics such as the effects of structural drivers and systems of power on health equity and inequities in reproductive health and immigrant health. This course then goes on to apply these lessons to health equity research projects in settings around the world. Through exploration of global interventions, learners will be prepared to take on health disparities in their local...
18. Communication Skills Masterclass - Your Communication Guide
Communication Skill For Business Communication & Effective Communication In Workplace & Relationships...
19. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
20. Mental Health First Aid Skills -
This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge for learners to help and support those experiencing MH issues...
Top 10 most affordable universities for community outreach specialists
The most affordable schools for community outreach specialists are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and california state university - fullerton.
If the best universities for community outreach specialists 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 outreach specialists.
1. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
8. California State University - San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,922
Cost of attendance
18,522
9. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
10. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for community outreach specialists
The hardest universities for community outreach specialists to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and Boston University.
Some great schools for community outreach specialists 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 outreach specialists 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
6. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
7. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
8. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
10. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for community outreach specialists
The easiest schools for community outreach specialists to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a community outreach specialist 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 outreach specialists.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
4. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
5. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
6. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
7. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
8. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
9. University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,020
10. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
Average community outreach specialist salary by education level
| Community outreach specialist education level | Community outreach specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $53,980 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $42,648 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $48,838 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $42,964 |
Community outreach specialist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025