Usually, customer service associates don't need a college education. The most common degree for customer service associates is bachelor's degree with 35% graduates, with only 30% customer service associate graduates earning high school diploma. Customer service associates who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or DeVry University. Some good skills to have in this position include communication skills, computer skills and customer-service skills.

To succeed in customer service associate careers it is a good idea to earn popular professional certifications among customer service associates like, Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM), or Automotive Sales Professional. To improve customer service associate qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in customer service associate education paths.

Customer Service Associate JOBS

What Education is Needed to Become a Customer Service Associate?

What Degree Should I Get to Become a Customer Service Associate?

The most common degree for customer service associates is bachelor's degree 35% of customer service associates earn that degree. A close second is high school diploma with 30% and rounding it off is associate degree with 22%.

  • Bachelors, 35%
  • High School Diploma, 30%
  • Associate, 22%
  • Diploma, 7%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What Should I Major in to Become a Customer Service Associate?

Most customer service associates, 25% to be exact, major in business. Some other common majors for a customer service associate include general studies and criminal justice majors.

20 Best Online Courses for Customer Service Associates

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1. Customer Service Fundamentals

coursera

There are a growing number of exciting, well-paying jobs in today’s tech industry that do not require a traditional college degree, an one of the hottest areas with high demand is in IT customer service and support. Customer Service is a perfect entry point to start your career in IT, with a multitude of job openings ranging from onsite or remote help desk work to customer care or client support. We can help you get there with the Customer Service Fundamentals course. We will help you to build...

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2. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience

udemy
4.5
(907)

Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...

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3. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives

udemy
4.5
(327)

Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...

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4. Customer Service

udemy
4.6
(6,953)

How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...

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5. Start Improving Customer Service

udemy
4.4
(2,030)

Creating a Customer Service advantage in Your department or business through communication and Customer Management...

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6. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer

udemy
4.6
(14,506)

Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...

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7. [2023] Customer Service 2.0: Learn Digital Customer Service

udemy
4.5
(3,259)

Used by Chase, Intel, & more! Learn soft skills, social media customer service, diagnosing user problems, & more...

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8. Customer Service Training Keys To Satisfy Your Customers

udemy
4
(264)

An introduction to customer service and its importance in any business...

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9. SAP Customer Service (CS/SM) - Service Management module

udemy
4.5
(740)

Real World SAP CS and SD, Repair Orders, Service Orders, Service Contracts...

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10. Fundamentals of Logistics, Supply Chain & Customer Service

udemy
4.5
(2,289)

Learn Logistics, Supply Chain and Customer Service. 3 Courses in 1...

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11. The Customer: Build a Customer Service Strategy (BITE SIZE)

udemy
4.5
(7,105)

For you and your team to be successful in providing great customer service, start by putting your customer first...

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12. Brilliant Customer Service: How to Impress your Customers!

udemy
4.5
(11,256)

Enhance your customer support and truly differentiate yourself from your competition!...

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13. Outstanding Customer Service - The Ultimate Guide!

udemy
4.7
(263)

Unlocking the Powerful Secrets of OUTSTANDING Customer Service - Transform Your Business!...

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14. Customer Service Success: Take Your Skills to the Next Level

udemy
4.6
(1,129)

3-in-1 Customer Service Training: Levels 1, 2, 3 Improve Your Soft Communication Skills, Customer Support & Experience...

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15. Customer Service: Keep 'em coming back!

udemy
4.6
(2,661)

How to give the best customer service in your industry and keep those customers raving about your business...

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16. Your Customer Service Toolbox: Best Practices for Beginners

udemy
4.6
(2,661)

Excel as a front-line customer service agent using problem-solving & relationship-building skills, etiquette, and more...

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17. Zendesk for Customer Service Agents Training Course

udemy
4.6
(923)

How to provide great customer support using Zendesk, a course for beginners...

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18. Customer Service English Essentials

udemy
4.8
(5,658)

Learn the English phrases, sentences, and tips you'll need to handle customer service situations over the phone...

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19. Customer Retention: Maximise Your Profits

udemy
4.8
(332)

How CRM, Customer Care, Customer Service, Customer Satisfaction, and Customer Experience will 10X yourprofits...

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20. Customer Service: Soft Skills Fundamentals

udemy
4.4
(22,368)

How to keep your head when everyone else is losing theirs...

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Best Customer Service Associate Certifications in 2023

1. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

PTCB's pharmacy technician certification program enables technicians to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and service. Certification is achieved by meeting specific eligibility requirements and earning a passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). The PTCB certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

PTCB's pharmacy technician certification program enables technicians to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and service. Certification is achieved by meeting specific eligibility requirements and earning a passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). The PTCB certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
Course That Help You To Prepare For Certification
Become a Pharmacy Technician
udemy
4.6
(2,138)

2. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Experienced medical office professionals with exceptional administrative skills are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) exam. To attain CMOM certification, all candidates must demonstrate a high level of knowledge in financial management, managed care contracting, personnel, and time management. Risk management, medical record keeping and facility management issues should also be mastered.

Experienced medical office professionals with exceptional administrative skills are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) exam. To attain CMOM certification, all candidates must demonstrate a high level of knowledge in financial management, managed care contracting, personnel, and time management. Risk management, medical record keeping and facility management issues should also be mastered.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? 
Certifying Organization
Practice Management Institute

3. Automotive Sales Professional

This is a tremendous opportunity for everyone who has an interest in automotive sales to become a knowledgeable, ethical and customer-focused trained individual and enjoy great career success.

This is a tremendous opportunity for everyone who has an interest in automotive sales to become a knowledgeable, ethical and customer-focused trained individual and enjoy great career success.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)

4. International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA)

ACAT seeks to ensure that all accredited individuals possess both the theoretical knowledge and the practical knowledge necessary to be successful practitioners. For that reason, candidates for accreditation must satisfy an experience requirement before becoming fully credentialed: three years of related work experience, up to two of which may be satisfied through college credit. Related work experience includes verifiable experience in accounting, financial services, or other field requiring a practical and theoretical knowledge of the subject matter covered on the ACAT Comprehensive Examination for the International Accredited Business Accountant. Those who pass the exam but who have not met the experience requirement may market themselves as having passed the ACAT Comprehensive Examination for International Accredited Business Accountant, but are not entitled to use the IABA designation.

ACAT seeks to ensure that all accredited individuals possess both the theoretical knowledge and the practical knowledge necessary to be successful practitioners. For that reason, candidates for accreditation must satisfy an experience requirement before becoming fully credentialed: three years of related work experience, up to two of which may be satisfied through college credit. Related work experience includes verifiable experience in accounting, financial services, or other field requiring a practical and theoretical knowledge of the subject matter covered on the ACAT Comprehensive Examination for the International Accredited Business Accountant. Those who pass the exam but who have not met the experience requirement may market themselves as having passed the ACAT Comprehensive Examination for International Accredited Business Accountant, but are not entitled to use the IABA designation.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? No

5. Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP)

A Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) is a Certified Public Accountant recognized for his or her unique ability to provide business insight by leveraging knowledge of information relationships and supporting technologies.

A Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) is a Certified Public Accountant recognized for his or her unique ability to provide business insight by leveraging knowledge of information relationships and supporting technologies.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)

6. Certified Sales Professional (CSP)

The Certified Sales Professional (CSP) program gives a thorough understanding of consultative selling. From business creation to improved time and territory management; goal-setting to prospecting, and everything in between, attendees return to the territory with a renewed enthusiasm for selling.

The Certified Sales Professional (CSP) program gives a thorough understanding of consultative selling. From business creation to improved time and territory management; goal-setting to prospecting, and everything in between, attendees return to the territory with a renewed enthusiasm for selling.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)

7. Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS)

The Certified Professional - Food Safety is for food safety professionals and is designed for individuals within the public and private sectors whose primary responsibility is the protection and safety of food. The exam for this prestigious credential integrates food microbiology, HACCP principles and regulatory requirements into questions that test problem solving skills and knowledge.

The Certified Professional - Food Safety is for food safety professionals and is designed for individuals within the public and private sectors whose primary responsibility is the protection and safety of food. The exam for this prestigious credential integrates food microbiology, HACCP principles and regulatory requirements into questions that test problem solving skills and knowledge.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)

8. Professional Credit Associate (PCA)

Certification enables you to make your clients, customers, colleagues,employers and others with whom you do business aware of the knowledge and skill you have invested in your career in the credit industry.

Certification enables you to make your clients, customers, colleagues,employers and others with whom you do business aware of the knowledge and skill you have invested in your career in the credit industry.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
Certifying Organization
Credit Professionals International

9. Certified Network Computer Technician (CNCT)

Certified Network Computer Technicians are expected to obtain knowledge of computer electronics basic concepts, Internet and networking technology applicable to various areas of the computer industry. Once the CNCT has acquired these skills, abilities and knowledge, he or she will be able to enter employment in any part of the computer industry. With minimal training in areas unique to the specific products, the CNCT should become a profitable and efficient part of the computer industry workforce.

Certified Network Computer Technicians are expected to obtain knowledge of computer electronics basic concepts, Internet and networking technology applicable to various areas of the computer industry. Once the CNCT has acquired these skills, abilities and knowledge, he or she will be able to enter employment in any part of the computer industry. With minimal training in areas unique to the specific products, the CNCT should become a profitable and efficient part of the computer industry workforce.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 4 year(s)
Certifying Organization
ETA International

10. Managed Healthcare Professional (MHP)

Earning the Center's MHP designation means that you've acquired the knowledge and skills to pursue a management position in the health insurance industry. You'll learn about management roles and organizational structures of managed care, as well as its operation and administration. And, you'll understand the unique developments and trends that have shaped managed care, as well as the policies and processes of the regulatory arena and evaluation measurements that determine the quality of managed care plans.

Earning the Center's MHP designation means that you've acquired the knowledge and skills to pursue a management position in the health insurance industry. You'll learn about management roles and organizational structures of managed care, as well as its operation and administration. And, you'll understand the unique developments and trends that have shaped managed care, as well as the policies and processes of the regulatory arena and evaluation measurements that determine the quality of managed care plans.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? No
Certifying Organization
Health Insurance Association of...

Entry Level Jobs For Becoming A Customer Service Associate

Average Customer Service Associate Salary by Education Level

Customer service associates with a Masters degree earn more than those without, at $36,812 annually. With a Bachelors degree, customer service associates earn a median annual income of $35,444.

Customer Service Associate Education LevelCustomer Service Associate Salary
High School Diploma or Less$31,421
Master's Degree$36,812
Bachelor's Degree$35,444
Some College/ Associate Degree$32,461

Customer Service Associate Internship Jobs

Customer Service Associate Jobs