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Court appointed special advocate education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a court appointed special advocate. Court appointed special advocates usually study psychology, criminal justice, or social work. 62% of court appointed special advocates hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,836 real court appointed special advocate resumes to see exactly what court appointed special advocate education sections show.
The most common colleges for court appointed special advocates are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online court appointed special advocate courses to help get the education required to be a court appointed special advocate.
What education do you need to become a court appointed special advocate?
What degree do you need to be a court appointed special advocate?
- Bachelor's, 62%
- Associate, 16%
- Master's, 13%
- Doctorate, 4%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a court appointed special advocate?
- Psychology, 18%
- Criminal Justice, 14%
- Social Work, 11%
- Business, 9%
- Other Majors, 48%
Most common colleges for court appointed special advocates
| Court appointed special advocate common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 17.27% |
| Liberty University | 5.91% |
| University of Washington | 5.00% |
| Ashford University | 5.00% |
| Georgia State University | 5.00% |
Best majors for court appointed special advocates
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 18.1% |
| 2 | Criminal Justice | 14.3% |
| 3 | Social Work | 11.4% |
| 4 | Business | 8.5% |
| 5 | Sociology | 6.3% |
Best colleges for court appointed special advocates
The best colleges for court appointed special advocates are Boston University, Northwestern University, and SUNY at Binghamton.
A court appointed special 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 court appointed special 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 court appointed special advocates.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
2. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
3. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Enrollment
13,871
4. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Enrollment
34,637
5. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
6. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Enrollment
31,321
7. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
8. San Jose State University
San Jose, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,796
Enrollment
27,125
9. Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$8,967
Enrollment
10,030
10. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$8,184
Enrollment
11,675
20 best online courses for court appointed special advocates
Advertising disclosure
1. Social Policy for Social Services & Health Practitioners
In the U.S., social policy accounts for two-thirds of government spending. Knowing how policies are constructed, what values underlie them, and how they succeed or fail makes everyone more effective at work or in their civic role. This specialization includes an HONORS track in which learners will complete a professional social policy analysis.\n\nTeachers, health care workers, police, and social workers interact with policy daily, but all of us should care about the impact and effectiveness of...
2. International Law in Action: A Guide to the International Courts and Tribunals in The Hague
International Law in Action explains the functions of each international court and tribunal present in The Hague, and it looks at how these institutions address contemporary problems. On the basis of selected cases, and through interviews with judges and lawyers, you will explore the role of these courts and tribunals and their potential to contribute to global justice. The first module of the course will investigate how judicial settlement is different from other more political forms of...
3. Providing Trauma-Informed Care
Exploring psychological trauma and how to provide care and compassion to trauma survivors...
4. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
5. Introduction to Key Constitutional Concepts and Supreme Court Cases
This course offers an introduction to the U.S. Constitution and landmark Supreme Court cases interpreting it. It explores the Constitution’s origins, its amendment over the years, and methods of constitutional interpretation. Topics include the nature and structure of the federal government, the powers of the federal government, and individual rights...
6. Helping Families Avoid Negative Court Involvement Teach-Out
This course will teach learners how to understand when issues can become legal issues, encourage learners to recognize legal problems early, identify possible “legal soft spots” in their own situations, and act when issues are identified to avoid them escalating. This course will also teach and encourage learners to think preventatively and provide some tools to use with an eye toward preventing future legal issues. Finally, this Teach-out seeks to expand the idea of legal health checks to a...
7. [2023] Customer Service 2.0: Learn Digital Customer Service
Used by Chase®, Intel®, & more! Learn soft skills, social media customer service, diagnosing user problems, & more...
8. Introduction to Child Psychology - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
Learn about child behaviour, parenting styles, relationships and socialising, cognitive development, counselling & more!...
9. Kids with Cancer Still Need School: The Providers Role
This course will help you understand and address the challenges parents and families face regarding schooling after a cancer diagnosis. When a child is diagnosed with cancer, families can be overwhelmed learning about and managing this new and frightening reality. As they adjust to the new normal of ongoing treatment, school may be the farthest thing from their mind. However, as their oncology health care provider, you have a critical role in starting conversations about schooling. Even for...
10. Social Determinants of Health: Data to Action
This five course specialization explores dimensions of applied knowledge related to the social determinants of health. This specialization will utilize the Data-to-Action Hourglass Model to support thinking about multiple perspectives as a way to filter, frame, and focus data-driven action related to social determinants of health.\n\nCourse 1: Introduction to the Social Determinants of Health, provides an overview of definitions and theoretical perspectives that will form the foundation of this...
11. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
12. Fully Accredited Professional Child Psychology Diploma
Learn or Specialise Your Therapy in Child Psychology with this Fully Accredited Diploma Course...
13. 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,...
14. 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,...
15. Social Media Monitoring
Our new course on Social Media Monitoring in a post Google Reader World is coming soon...
16. Educational Psychology & Special Education (Certificate)
Informational content for educators and parents to learn about teaching and understanding exceptional children...
17. International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes
‘Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes’ is the second course in Leiden University’s new series on International Law in Action. The first course covered international courts and tribunals in The Hague in general. This second course provides an insider perspective into the work of international criminal courts and tribunals. You will learn about the investigation and prosecution of international crimes in The Hague. Atrocities produce unspeakable forms of violence. We will explore...
18. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate
Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...
19. Financial Accounting - Subsidiary Ledgers & Special Journals
Mastering Special Journals and Subsidiary Ledgers: A Comprehensive Guide to Streamlined Accounting Practices...
20. Social Media for Healthcare Providers
Social media and HIPPA compliance training for covered entities that transmit health information...
Top 10 most affordable universities for court appointed special advocates
The most affordable schools for court appointed special advocates are Hunter College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for court appointed special 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 court appointed special advocates.
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 - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
5. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
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. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. California State University - San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,922
Cost of attendance
18,522
10. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for court appointed special advocates
The hardest universities for court appointed special advocates to get into are Boston University, Northwestern University, and SUNY at Binghamton.
Some great schools for court appointed special 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 court appointed special 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. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
4. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
5. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
Admissions rate
49%
SAT average
1,347
6. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
7. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,367
8. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
9. Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY • Private
Admissions rate
50%
SAT average
1,284
10. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
Admissions rate
47%
SAT average
1,390
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for court appointed special advocates
The easiest schools for court appointed special advocates to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, bluefield college, and university of north texas at dallas.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a court appointed special 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 court appointed special advocates.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA • Private
Admissions rate
95%
SAT average
980
3. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
4. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
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. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
9. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
10. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
Average court appointed special advocate salary by education level
| Court appointed special advocate education level | Court appointed special advocate salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $39,518 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $35,583 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $37,796 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $35,701 |
Court appointed special advocate education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025