Post job

Continuing education instructor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a continuing education instructor. Continuing education instructors usually study business, nursing, or psychology. 54% of continuing education instructors hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,409 real continuing education instructor resumes to see exactly what continuing education instructor education sections show.

The most common colleges for continuing education instructors are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online continuing education instructor courses to help get the education required to be a continuing education instructor.

What education do you need to become a continuing education instructor?

What degree do you need to be a continuing education instructor?

The most common degree for continuing education instructors is bachelor's degree, with 54% of continuing education instructors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 18% and associate degree degree at 18%.
  • Bachelor's, 54%
  • Associate, 18%
  • Master's, 18%
  • Doctorate, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a continuing education instructor?

You should major in business to become a continuing education instructor. 20% of continuing education instructors major in business. Other common majors for a continuing education instructor include nursing and psychology.

Most common colleges for continuing education instructors

Continuing education instructors often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, University of North Texas, and Walden University. Here are the most common colleges for continuing education instructors in the US based on their resumes.
Continuing education instructor common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix8.70%
University of North Texas6.96%
Walden University6.96%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro6.09%
Southern Illinois University Carbondale6.09%

Best majors for continuing education instructors

RankMajorPercentages
1Business20.1%
2Nursing7.9%
3Psychology7.8%
4Computer Science6.3%
5Education6.1%

Best colleges for continuing education instructors

The best colleges for continuing education instructors are University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, and New York University.

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

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

3. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

4. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

5. University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$17,653

Enrollment

16,405

6. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

8. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

9. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

10. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Enrollment

34,564

20 best online courses for continuing education instructors

Advertising disclosure

1. Music Education for Teachers

coursera

In the Music Education for Teachers specialization, you will explore ways of integrating popular music into your teaching. You'll begin by learning from two highly experienced teachers, Krystal Banfield, the Vice President of Educational Outreach for Berklee College of Music, and David Alexis a Berklee Professor and long-time instructor for the Berklee City Music Program. They will take you through their process of incorporating popular music, improvisation, arranging, and music technology into...

2. Online Learning Design for Educators

coursera

This specialization is for educators seeking to improve and expand their repertoire of online teaching skills related to the design, development and delivery of effective and engaging online courses and lessons for school age and adult learners.\n\nLearning in the 21st century no longer takes place exclusively between the four walls of a physical classroom. With advances in technology, learners now expect to be offered flexible study modes outside of the traditional face-to-face model. This...

3. Educational Psychology & Special Education (Certificate)

udemy
4.4
(876)

Informational content for educators and parents to learn about teaching and understanding exceptional children...

4. Google Certified Educator Level 1 Technical Training

udemy
4.5
(294)

Google Apps for Education...

5. Critical Issues in Urban Education

coursera

Urban school reform in the United States is characterized by contentious, politicized debate. This course explores a set of critical issues in the education and educational reform space, with a focus on aspects of the field that have sparked controversy and polarized views. We will dig into these debates, situating them within the larger history of public education and school reform, and considering the viewpoints, the evidence, and translation of issues into educational policy. We will...

6. What future for education?

coursera

Through this course you will start to critically examine your own ideas about education, teaching and learning. The critique will be developed through engagement with theories and ideas developed through educational research. You will be encouraged to use these ideas to challenge or support your own ideas about education. Each week we will focus on one key question, using video lectures, key readings and challenges to explore some commonplace notions about education. With the guidance of the...

7. Complete Google Certified Educator Level 1 and 2 Masterclass

udemy
4.2
(590)

Google Certified Educator Level 1 and 2 Training - Mastering Google Classroom - G Suite - Teaching Online - Google Drive...

8. Introduction to Early Childhood Montessori Education

udemy
4.7
(626)

Learning Montessori Philosophy and Materials by visiting classrooms across the U.S...

9. Aboriginal Worldviews and Education

coursera

Intended for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal learners, this course will explore indigenous ways of knowing and how they can benefit all students. Topics include historical, social, and political issues in Aboriginal education; terminology; cultural, spiritual and philosophical themes in Aboriginal worldviews; and how Aboriginal worldviews can inform professional programs and practices, including but not limited to the field of education...

10. Diversity and Inclusion in Education

coursera

Student diversity is becoming the rule rather than the exception in education systems across the world. Students bring to classroom different characteristics such as ability and disability, socio-economic background, race, ethnicity, and cultural background, beliefs and religion, and gender characteristics. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all (United Nations, 2015)...

11. Train the Trainer Foundation: Adult Education Mastery Course

udemy
4.6
(1,679)

Deploy a repeatable system for employee learning to ensure you reach every learner…every time...

12. Seth Godin on learning and education

udemy
4.6
(679)

Build the future of community, culture and possibility...

13. ICT in Primary Education: Transforming children's learning across the curriculum

coursera

Why and how are teachers integrating ICT (Information and Communication Technology) into primary education? In this course we analyse examples from schools in different parts of the world, and bring professional teachers, headteachers and policymakers together to share their best ideas and inspiring stories. The materials in the course are based on studies carried out for the UNESCO Institute of IT in Education, Moscow. Learning Outcomes: to be aware of the range of reasons for using ICT to...

14. Instructional Methods in Health Professions Education

coursera

This course provides those involved in educating members of the health professions an asynchronous, interdisciplinary, and interactive way to obtain, expand, and improve their teaching skills. These skills can then be applied within their own professional context, with a variety of learners, extending across many stages. After completing this course, learners will: 1. Understand educational theory as it relates to health professions education 2. Match instructional methods with desired...

15. Complete Google Classroom Course: Teaching Google Classroom

udemy
4.3
(442)

Mastering the Art of Teaching with Google Classroom - Teaching Online with Google Classroom - Google Certified Educator...

16. Financial Education from 0: Learn Quick and Easy

udemy
4.2
(256)

Learn the Basics of Personal Finance. Build Healthy Financial Habits! Financial Education from Beginner to Advanced!...

17. Nutrition Education for the Consumer

coursera

Understanding how to eat healthy can be daunting, especially when presented with unfamiliar science. Learn and apply everyday nutrition concepts to your lifestyle to get the most out of what you eat. Take time in understanding how to appropriately read food labels, enhance your diet and exercise with the right supplements, or break through misconceptions about nutrition fads. With the NASM Nutrition Education for the Consumer, you will learn the truth that evidence leads us to when developing...

18. Health, Housing, and Educational Services

coursera

Course 5 discusses policies in four areas: housing, education, healthcare, and immigration, with an optional fifth module in child protection. This course addresses issues of power, oppression, and white supremacy. -First we’ll look at housing policy, with its contrasting supports for homeowners and renters. -Then we’ll interpret the structure that provides education and examine debates about its future. -The third module will differentiate the issues in the U.S. healthcare system and develop...

19. Outcome Based Education (OBE) & Academic Quality Assurance

udemy
4.4
(1,390)

Master Course for Teachers' Development: Grow Your Teaching-Learning Expertise to World-Class Level...

20. Educating Deaf Children: Becoming an Empowered Teacher

coursera

Many Deaf children around the world still leave school functionally illiterate. In some cases, there is no allowance made for the education of Deaf children at all. This 4-week course provides you with invaluable knowledge and skills about teaching Deaf children. You will learn about the importance of Deaf culture and community, the need for a language-rich environment for the Deaf child from as young as possible, and that having access to sign language can help Deaf children academically,...

Top 10 most affordable universities for continuing education instructors

The most affordable schools for continuing education instructors are University of Florida, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - los angeles.

If the best universities for continuing education instructors 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 continuing education instructors.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

4. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

7. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

8. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

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. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for continuing education instructors

The hardest universities for continuing education instructors to get into are University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, and New York University.

Some great schools for continuing education instructors 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 continuing education instructors 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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

3. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

6. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

7. University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • Private

Admissions rate

26%

SAT average

1,427

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,434

10. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for continuing education instructors

The easiest schools for continuing education instructors to get into are Gwynedd Mercy University, holy names university, and oklahoma wesleyan university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a continuing education instructor 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 continuing education instructors.

1. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

2. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

4. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

6. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

7. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

8. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

9. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

10. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

Average continuing education instructor salary by education level

According to our data, continuing education instructors with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $65,279 annually. Continuing education instructors with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $53,095.
Continuing education instructor education levelContinuing education instructor salary
Master's Degree$53,095
Doctorate Degree$65,279

Continuing education instructor education FAQs

Search for continuing education instructor jobs

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.

Browse education, training, and library jobs