Post job

Diabetes educator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a diabetes educator. Diabetes educators usually study nursing, dietetics, or food and nutrition. 58% of diabetes educators hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,076 real diabetes educator resumes to see exactly what diabetes educator education sections show.

The most common colleges for diabetes educators are the University of New Hampshire and the University of New Hampshire.

There are also many online diabetes educator courses to help get the education required to be a diabetes educator.

There are certain diabetes educator certifications that you should consider. These diabetes educator certifications include Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

What education do you need to become a diabetes educator?

What degree do you need to be a diabetes educator?

The most common degree for diabetes educators is bachelor's degree, with 58% of diabetes educators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 17% and master's degree degree at 16%.
  • Bachelor's, 58%
  • Master's, 17%
  • Associate, 16%
  • Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a diabetes educator?

You should major in nursing to become a diabetes educator. 48% of diabetes educators major in nursing. Other common majors for a diabetes educator include dietetics and food and nutrition.

Most common colleges for diabetes educators

Diabetes educators often get their degrees at University of New Hampshire, University of Phoenix, and The University of Alabama. Here are the most common colleges for diabetes educators in the US based on their resumes.
Diabetes educator common collegePercentages
University of New Hampshire7.32%
University of Phoenix7.32%
The University of Alabama6.50%
Florida State University6.50%
Middle Tennessee State University5.69%

Best majors for diabetes educators

RankMajorPercentages
1Nursing48.1%
2Dietetics14.2%
3Food And Nutrition11.4%
4Nutrition Science3.9%
5Business2.9%

Best colleges for diabetes educators

The best colleges for diabetes educators are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and Northeastern University.

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

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Enrollment

34,564

2. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

6. Texas A&M University

College Station, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$11,870

Enrollment

53,194

7. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

8. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

9. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

10. Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$43,884

Enrollment

6,917

20 best online courses for diabetes educators

Advertising disclosure

1. Health for All Through Primary Health Care

coursera

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...

2. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care

coursera

This course presents basic principles of cancer survivorship to primary-care physicians. Developed by a team of experts in caring for cancer survivors, and narrated by a primary-care physician, this course provides practical tips and tools that can be easily integrated into medical practice. You will learn about the complex physical and psychosocial needs and concerns of the growing number of cancer survivors, along with the key role that primary care physicians have in guiding these patients...

3. How To Reverse Your Type 2 Diabetes Naturally and Easily

udemy
4.7
(342)

The Easiest and Fastest Way To Restore Normal Blood Sugar...

4. Vegan Nutrition Health Coach Certification

udemy
4.6
(2,112)

Become a Vegan Nutrition Certified Health Coach, Learn Vegan Cooking, Embrace a Holistic Approach to Food...

5. Health Care Delivery in Healthcare Organizations

coursera

Have you ever needed health care and thought that there must be better ways to get or deliver health care? For example, have you found yourself thinking that there should be a way to get a diagnostic test or treatment at home? Or do you work in a healthcare organization and find yourself thinking that there must be better ways to deliver health care? If you have, this course is for you. Course content includes an overview of health care delivery including healthcare consumerism, the patient's...

6. Value-Based Care: Managing Processes to Improve Outcomes

coursera

COURSE 3 of 7. This course is designed to introduce you to critical office-based processes that a value-based practice must manage in the drive towards improved patient outcomes. In Module 2, we’ll focus on office-based and clinical patient-based supporting functions. At every level in healthcare, guidelines, processes, and functions exist to improve outcomes, and following a consistent process will return the best effect. Refine your understanding of value and learn strategies to provide real...

7. Educational Psychology & Special Education (Certificate)

udemy
4.4
(876)

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

8. Nutrition Certification: The Correct Dieting & Meal PLaning

udemy
4
(338)

Master Nutrition/ Dieting for healthy Weight Loss & Building Muscles (Adapt with COVID-19)...

9. 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...

10. 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...

11. Health and Nutrition Life Coach Certification (Accredited)

udemy
4.5
(5,133)

Life Coaching: Create a Workout & Nutrition Plan Based on Your Clients' Fitness, Weight Loss, Dieting & Nutrition Goals...

12. Weight Loss And Nutrition: Lose Fat & Get Your Dream Body

udemy
4.7
(2,115)

Learn The Truth About Dieting For Weight Loss, Healthy Eating, Meal Planning, Fat Loss, Weight Loss Motivation...

13. National Academy of Sports Medicine Nutrition Essentials

coursera

NASM's Nutrition Coaching Essentials enables you to provide evidence-based guidance to those seeking to improve body composition, athletic performance, and health. By successfully completing this program, you will have the knowledge and abilities to leverage nutrition education to increase your client's success, reduce turnover, and maximize adherence. Held to the highest standard of research-based theory and practice, the Nutrition Essentials program teaches you how to provide nutritional...

14. Health Care IT: Challenges and Opportunities

coursera

A strong argument can be made that the health care field is one of the most information-intensive sectors in the U.S. economy and avoidance of the rapid advances in information technology is no longer an option. Consequently, the study of health care information technology and systems has become central to health care delivery effectiveness. This course covers the modern application of information technology that is critical to supporting the vision and operational knowledge of the health care...

15. Superfoods, Herbalism, Nutrition Basics and Your Health

udemy
4.1
(262)

Eat For Success. Discover Nutrition Basics For Optimal Performance and Weight Loss...

16. Providing Trauma-Informed Care

udemy
4.7
(1,276)

Exploring psychological trauma and how to provide care and compassion to trauma survivors...

17. Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers

coursera

This course is designed with a singular goal: to improve the care you provide to your patients with substance use disorders. By delving into a model case performed by actors, seven Yale instructors from various fields provide techniques to screen your patients for substance use disorder risk, diagnose patients to gauge the severity of their use, directly manage treatment plans, refer out to treatment services, and navigate the various conditions that may limit your patient’s access to treatment...

18. Traditional herbal medicine in supportive cancer care: From alternative to integrative

coursera

Please join us for an exciting and innovative journey, examining one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of the oncology setting: Traditional Herbal Medicine in Supportive Cancer Care. This course is presented with short lectures offering a wide range of issues related to the principles and practice of herbal medicine in cancer care. The course includes interviews with leading world experts from the field of Integrative Oncology, from the U.S. and Canada, as well as Europe, the...

19. Health Masterclass: How To Transform Your Health & Life

udemy
4.4
(3,207)

Master The 3 Surprising Steps That Can Finally Transform Your Health In The Next 30 Days...

20. COVID-19 Training for Healthcare Workers

coursera

COVID-19 is rapidly spreading across the globe and all providers must be prepared to recognize, stabilize and treat patients with novel coronavirus infection. Following completion of this short course physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals will have a unified, evidenced-based approach to saving the lives of patients with COVID-19, including those who are critically ill. Learning modules are broken into short videos presented in a richly illustrated and compelling manner. The...

Top 10 most affordable universities for diabetes educators

The most affordable schools for diabetes educators are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for diabetes educators 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 diabetes educators.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. Lehman College of the City University of New York

Bronx, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,210

Cost of attendance

14,359

9. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

10. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for diabetes educators

The hardest universities for diabetes educators to get into are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and Northeastern University.

Some great schools for diabetes educators 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 diabetes educators 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. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

3. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

4. Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,443

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

8. University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL • Private

Admissions rate

32%

SAT average

1,365

9. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,398

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for diabetes educators

The easiest schools for diabetes educators to get into are D'Youville College, barry university, and adventhealth university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a diabetes educator 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 diabetes educators.

1. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,016

4. Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,059

5. Marymount University

Arlington, VA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,065

6. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

994

7. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

8. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

9. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

10. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

Average diabetes educator salary by education level

According to our data, diabetes educators with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $69,296 annually. Diabetes educators with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $61,384.
Diabetes educator education levelDiabetes educator salary
Master's Degree$69,296
High School Diploma or Less$53,888
Bachelor's Degree$61,384
Some College/ Associate Degree$55,056

Diabetes educator education FAQs

Search for diabetes educator 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 community and social services jobs