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Council member education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a council member. Council members usually study business, psychology, or nursing. 67% of council members hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 4,142 real council member resumes to see exactly what council member education sections show.

The most common colleges for council members are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online council member courses to help get the education required to be a council member.

What education do you need to become a council member?

What degree do you need to be a council member?

The most common degree for council members is bachelor's degree, with 67% of council members earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 14% and master's degree degree at 10%.
  • Bachelor's, 67%
  • Master's, 14%
  • Associate, 10%
  • High School Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a council member?

You should major in business to become a council member. 20% of council members major in business. Other common majors for a council member include psychology and nursing.

Most common colleges for council members

Council members often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Michigan State University, and Pennsylvania State University. Here are the most common colleges for council members in the US based on their resumes.
Council member common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix8.90%
Michigan State University8.59%
Pennsylvania State University7.67%
New York University6.13%
Arizona State University5.21%

Best majors for council members

RankMajorPercentages
1Business19.6%
2Psychology9.3%
3Nursing8.8%
4Political Science7.4%
5Communication5.3%

Best colleges for council members

The best colleges for council members are Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.

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

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

5. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

7. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$53,430

Enrollment

5,963

8. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

10. University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,226

Enrollment

31,568

20 best online courses for council members

Advertising disclosure

1. Breastfeeding: Public Health Perspectives

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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...

2. Instructional Methods in Health Professions Education

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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...

3. Minute Taking at Meetings

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Minute Taking: making the taking of notes/minutes at formal and informal meetings easier...

4. Leading Effective Meetings - You Can Lead Effective Meetings

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4.4
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Learn How to Plan Effective Meetings, Run Effective Meetings and Generate Results After Your Meetings...

5. Systems Thinking In Public Health

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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...

6. Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice

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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...

7. Better Virtual Meetings: How to Lead Effective Meetings

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Learn the basics of facilitation and minute taking at meetings to save time, improve communication, and get things done...

8. Business English for Meetings

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Useful English Phrases for Communicating with Confidence in Business Meetings...

9. 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...

10. Qualitative Research Design and Methods for Public Health

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This specialization will enable public health professionals and researchers to design effective qualitative studies addressing a range of public health issues, select and implement appropriate qualitative methods to meet their study's objectives, and generate and analyze qualitative data...

11. Leading Effective Meetings: Beginner's Guide

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Learn how to successfully lead meetings that boost motivation and productivity while using time effectively...

12. Workplace Communication: You Can Speak Up at Meetings!

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You Can Learn to Speak up At Anytime Knowing how To Look and Sound Your Best in Meetings...

13. Participatory Approaches in Public Health

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This specialisation guides learners through the process of designing an appropriate participatory approach to a given public health challenge, focusing on the history, theory and practice of participatory approaches to public health. You'll gain an understanding of the impact of social and cultural contexts in which public health programmes exist, as well as, why participatory approaches could better assist in meeting the population’s needs and solving certain health-related challenges...

14. Managing Difficult Meeting Participants

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Dealing with Negativism and Other Difficult Behaviors of Meeting Participants...

15. Leading Effective Meetings

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Learn how to effectively plan, run, & manage meetings of any kind. Increase your team's productivity & participation...

16. Make Meetings Work & Tackle Time Management Troubles

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Manage your time and conduct the best meeting possible with these techniques and goals...

17. Leading Effective 1-on-1 Meetings: Win loyalty and retention

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Learn how to structure and lead effective 1-on-1 meetings to boost results & benefit your job and career...

18. How to Run truly Productive Meetings - and add value

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Learn to Run Great Meetings, Raise Your Profile and Boost Productivity...

19. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate

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

20. Project Kickoff Meetings: How to Lead them Effectively

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Learn how to start your projects the right way using a simple, step-by-step plan...

Top 10 most affordable universities for council members

The most affordable schools for council members are University of Florida, suny farmingdale, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for council members 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 council members.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

5. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Cost of attendance

25,527

9. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

10. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for council members

The hardest universities for council members to get into are Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for council members 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 council members 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

5. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

6. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

10. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for council members

The easiest schools for council members to get into are Barry University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and d'youville college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a council member 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 council members.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

4. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

5. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

6. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

7. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

8. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

9. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

10. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

Average council member salary by education level

Council member education levelCouncil member salary
Doctorate Degree$45,768

Council member 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.