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Eating disorder specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an eating disorder specialist. Eating disorder specialists usually study psychology, social work, or food and nutrition. 54% of eating disorder specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 28% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 151 real eating disorder specialist resumes to see exactly what eating disorder specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for eating disorder specialists are the University of Central Florida and the University of Central Florida.

There are also many online eating disorder specialist courses to help get the education required to be an eating disorder specialist.

What education do you need to become an eating disorder specialist?

What degree do you need to be an eating disorder specialist?

The most common degree for eating disorder specialists is bachelor's degree, with 54% of eating disorder specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 28% and master's degree degree at 12%.
  • Bachelor's, 54%
  • Master's, 28%
  • Associate, 12%
  • Doctorate, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become an eating disorder specialist?

You should major in psychology to become an eating disorder specialist. 17% of eating disorder specialists major in psychology. Other common majors for an eating disorder specialist include social work and food and nutrition.

Most common colleges for eating disorder specialists

Eating disorder specialists often get their degrees at University of Central Florida, Temple University, and National University. Here are the most common colleges for eating disorder specialists in the US based on their resumes.
Eating disorder specialist common collegePercentages
University of Central Florida9.09%
Temple University6.06%
National University6.06%
Framingham State University6.06%
University of Houston6.06%

Best majors for eating disorder specialists

Best colleges for eating disorder specialists

The best colleges for eating disorder specialists are New York University, Boston University, and Boston College.

An eating disorder specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for eating disorder specialists. 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 eating disorder specialists.

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Enrollment

16,205

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

5. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

6. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,830

Enrollment

29,474

7. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

8. James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,016

Enrollment

19,679

9. SUNY College at Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,369

Enrollment

5,229

10. University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$15,887

Enrollment

23,202

20 best online courses for eating disorder specialists

Advertising disclosure

1. Cannabis, Mental Health, and Brain Disorders

coursera

This Cannabis, Mental Health, and Brain Disorders course is designed to have you think critically about the health effects of cannabis (i.e., marijuana) in the context of several mental health and neurocognitive disorders. You'll be able to identify key features of several anxiety disorders (e.g., panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, PTSD), major depression, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's...

2. Child Nutrition and Cooking

coursera

Eating patterns that begin in childhood affect health and well-being across the lifespan. The culture of eating has changed significantly in recent decades, especially in parts of the world where processed foods dominate our dietary intake. This course examines contemporary child nutrition and the impact of the individual decisions made by each family. The health risks associated with obesity in childhood are also discussed. Participants will learn what constitutes a healthy diet for children...

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

udemy
4.7
(1,529)

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

4. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders ACCREDITE

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4.4
(499)

ACCREDITED CERTIFIED course on CBT, Therapy and Counselling for Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder, work home...

5. Food Sustainability, Mindful Eating, and Healthy Cooking

coursera

This specialization is intended for anyone seeking to improve their health, protect our planet and build a stronger, more positive relationship with food. The courses aim to improve knowledge about the relationships between our health, our food, how our food is made, and our environment, while inspiring us to make decisions that will protect our health and the health of the environment. After completing the specialization a learner with no previous food, nutrition, sustainable, mindful eating,...

6. Cooking for Busy Healthy People

coursera

Cooking is one of the most powerful ways in which we can optimize our enjoyment of great quality food while protecting our health. Even on a tight budget, cooking can be a cost-effective, joyful and rewarding way to love the food that will love us back for a lifetime. In this course, you’ll learn some basic recipes from a home cook and two professional chefs who prioritize healthful eating. You’ll also learn some of the fundamentals of principle-based cooking that can help you break free from...

7. Vegan Nutrition Health Coach Certification

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4.6
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Become a Vegan Nutrition Certified Health Coach, Learn Vegan Cooking, Embrace a Holistic Approach to Food...

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

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4.7
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Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...

9. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate

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4.6
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Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...

10. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Health & Wellness

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4.7
(594)

Learn about holistic health, wellness, key biomarkers, good sleep and ways to optimize your health...

11. Superfoods, Herbalism, Nutrition Basics and Your Health

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4.1
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Eat For Success. Discover Nutrition Basics For Optimal Performance and Weight Loss...

12. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course

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4.7
(291)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...

13. Mental Health and Wellness Professional (MHW) Diploma Course

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4.7
(982)

Discover a flexible and comprehensive way of understanding mental health as a Certified Mental Health Professional (MHP)...

14. Health and Nutrition Life Coach Certification (Accredited)

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4.5
(5,133)

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

15. Cook Real Food: How to Make Simple Plant-Based Meals

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4.6
(1,644)

Learn how to cook whole plant foods to make quick, easy, and healthy vegan meals for practical everyday eating...

16. Eat Real Food: How to Eat a Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet

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4.5
(4,365)

Learn how to be a healthy vegan or vegetarian in a holistic way for best health, weight, and wellbeing...

17. Health Coaching Certification Holistic Wellness Health Coach

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4.4
(3,299)

Health Coaching Practitioner Course Graduates Prepared Health Coaching Specialists in Holistic Wellness Health Coaching...

18. Mental Health First Aid Skills -

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4.4
(1,774)

This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge for learners to help and support those experiencing MH issues...

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

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4.4
(3,207)

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

20. Managing mental health issues in the workplace

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4.1
(891)

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

Top 10 most affordable universities for eating disorder specialists

The most affordable schools for eating disorder specialists are Hunter College of the City University of New York, baruch college of the city university of new york, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for eating disorder specialists 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 eating disorder specialists.

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. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

9. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Cost of attendance

25,527

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for eating disorder specialists

The hardest universities for eating disorder specialists to get into are New York University, Boston University, and Boston College.

Some great schools for eating disorder specialists 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 eating disorder specialists 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. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

2. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

3. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,398

6. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

7. Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,443

8. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

9. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

10. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for eating disorder specialists

The easiest schools for eating disorder specialists to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, texas woman's university, and mount saint mary's university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an eating disorder specialist 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 eating disorder specialists.

1. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

2. Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,059

3. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

4. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

5. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

6. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

7. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

8. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

9. College of New Rochelle, The

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

982

10. Rosemont College

Rosemont, PA • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,026

Average eating disorder specialist salary by education level

According to our data, eating disorder specialists with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $66,394 annually. Eating disorder specialists with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $60,684.
Eating disorder specialist education levelEating disorder specialist salary
Master's Degree$60,684
Doctorate Degree$66,394

Eating disorder specialist 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.

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