Domestic violence advocate education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a domestic violence advocate. Domestic violence advocates usually study psychology, criminal justice, or social work. 61% of domestic violence advocates hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 2,339 real domestic violence advocate resumes to see exactly what domestic violence advocate education sections show.

The most common colleges for domestic violence advocates are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online domestic violence advocate courses to help get the education required to be a domestic violence advocate.

There are certain domestic violence advocate certifications that you should consider. These domestic violence advocate certifications include Certified Domestic Violence Counselor (CDVC) and Child Development Associate (CDA).

What education do you need to become a domestic violence advocate?

What degree do you need to be a domestic violence advocate?

The most common degree for domestic violence advocates is bachelor's degree, with 61% of domestic violence advocates earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 18% and associate degree degree at 12%.

Bachelor's, 61%

Associate, 18%

Master's, 12%

High School Diploma, 4%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a domestic violence advocate?

You should major in psychology to become a domestic violence advocate. 22% of domestic violence advocates major in psychology. Other common majors for a domestic violence advocate include criminal justice and social work.

Psychology, 22%

Criminal Justice, 18%

Social Work, 14%

Human Services, 9%

Other Majors, 37%

Most common colleges for domestic violence advocates

Domestic violence advocates often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, University of Washington, and Liberty University. Here are the most common colleges for domestic violence advocates in the US based on their resumes.

Domestic violence advocate common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	18.10%
University of Washington	7.24%
Liberty University	6.79%
California State University - San Bernardino	5.43%
Western Washington University	4.98%

Show more common domestic violence advocate colleges

Best majors for domestic violence advocates

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Psychology	21.8%
2	Criminal Justice	18.0%
3	Social Work	14.3%
4	Human Services	8.7%
5	Sociology	6.3%

Show more common domestic violence advocate majors

Best colleges for domestic violence advocates

The best colleges for domestic violence advocates are Boston University, Northwestern University, and SUNY at Binghamton.

A domestic violence 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 domestic violence 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 domestic violence 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 domestic violence advocates

Advertising disclosure

1. ERPO: A Civil Approach to Gun Violence Prevention Teach-Out

Evidence shows that 1 life is saved for every 10-20 Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) issued. ERPOs are legally issued civil orders that allow people on the front lines to ask a court to prevent a person at imminent risk of harm to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing firearms during a critical period of risk. As of October 2020, ERPO laws have been enacted by nineteen states and the District of Columbia and while some aspects differ by state, the general process for applying...

2. Violence Against Healthcare

At the global level, there are many countries marked by violence affecting health care. The 'Health care in danger' project aims to establish practical measures and recommendations that can be implemented on the ground by policy-makers, humanitarian organizations and health professionals. In view of the multiplicity of actors and latitudes concerned, it is essential to be able to make available the tools needed to make informed decisions, guide behaviour in high-risk areas and provide everyone...

3. Legal English

4.5

(1,299)

Legal language and communication skills...

4. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)

4.7

(311)

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...

5. 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...

6. Psychological First Aid

Learn to provide psychological first aid to people in an emergency by employing the RAPID model: Reflective listening, Assessment of needs, Prioritization, Intervention, and Disposition. Utilizing the RAPID model (Reflective listening, Assessment of needs, Prioritization, Intervention, and Disposition), this specialized course provides perspectives on injuries and trauma that are beyond those physical in nature. The RAPID model is readily applicable to public health settings, the workplace, the...

7. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs

4.7

(1,529)

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...

8. Crisis Intervention Seminar

4.4

(634)

The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...

9. Legal Tech and the Digital Transformation of Law

The digital revolution changed the way we communicate and trade. Now, it is coming into the world of law. This program will give you a broad overview of the main trends that are affecting the legal industry: - The birth of the legal tech market and the application of technology in law. - The role of artificial intelligence in the automation of the work of lawyers. - Blockchain technology and its impact on the way we sign and execute contracts. - Initiatives to ensure access to justice through...

10. Effective Legal Office Administration

4.5

(1,067)

Effective Legal Office Administration...

11. Legal Writing Master Class

4.5

(258)

Learn with lawyers by learning the correct use of prepositions and articles, drafting contracts and writing letters...

12. NEBOSH health and safety Management System

4.3

(448)

It Shows the Start point to Build your Health & safety Career and how to Join the field and becoming HSE Specialist...

13. Psychology of Criminal Behaviour & Criminology - ACCREDITED

4.4

(516)

Personality Disorders, Violence, Sex Offence, Murder, and other types of crime...

14. Animal Communication - Intermediate

4.9

(1,082)

Intermediate level telepathic animal communication made easy...

15. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate

4.6

(1,115)

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

16. ISO 45001. Occupational health & safety management system

4.6

(4,258)

Upgrate your health and safety career by understanding the requriements for an OH & S management system from ISO 45001...

17. Health & Safety Risk Assessment

4.4

(545)

Learn how to conduct a complete risk assessment in your workplace...

18. Managing mental health issues in the workplace

4.1

(891)

Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...

19. Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications

4.6

(2,248)

Public Relations: You Can Shape and Control Your Media Messages at The Worst Possible Times...

20. Legal English Language Certificate (LELC) Level 1 - CPD

4.5

(360)

Learn from Lawyers - Learn the CORRECT use of articles, prepositions, legal terms & start writing your letter!...

Top 10 most affordable universities for domestic violence advocates

The most affordable schools for domestic violence 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 domestic violence 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 domestic violence 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 domestic violence advocates

The hardest universities for domestic violence advocates to get into are Boston University, Northwestern University, and SUNY at Binghamton.

Some great schools for domestic violence 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 domestic violence 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

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 domestic violence advocates

The easiest schools for domestic violence 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 domestic violence 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 domestic violence 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 domestic violence advocate salary by education level

Domestic violence advocates with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $62,030 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, domestic violence advocates earn a median annual income of $54,046 compared to $45,305 for domestic violence advocates with an Associate degree.

Domestic violence advocate education level	Domestic violence advocate salary
Master's Degree	$62,030
High School Diploma or Less	$44,847
Bachelor's Degree	$54,046
Some College/ Associate Degree	$45,305

Domestic violence advocate education FAQs

What is the best college for Domestic Violence Advocates?

Have more questions? See all answers to common community and social services questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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