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Extension associate education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an extension associate. Extension associates usually study business, family and consumer sciences, or psychology. 67% of extension associates hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 143 real extension associate resumes to see exactly what extension associate education sections show.

The most common colleges for extension associates are the University of Guam and the University of Guam.

There are also many online extension associate courses to help get the education required to be an extension associate.

What education do you need to become an extension associate?

What degree do you need to be an extension associate?

The most common degree for extension associates is bachelor's degree, with 67% of extension associates earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 20% and master's degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 67%
  • Master's, 20%
  • Associate, 7%
  • Doctorate, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become an extension associate?

You should major in business to become an extension associate. 10% of extension associates major in business. Other common majors for an extension associate include family and consumer sciences and psychology.

Most common colleges for extension associates

Extension associates often get their degrees at University of Guam, New Mexico State University, and Louisiana State University and A&M; College. Here are the most common colleges for extension associates in the US based on their resumes.
Extension associate common collegePercentages
University of Guam15.38%
New Mexico State University11.54%
Louisiana State University and A&M College9.62%
University of Kentucky9.62%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro5.77%

Best majors for extension associates

Best colleges for extension associates

The best colleges for extension associates are Cornell University, Northwestern University, and University of California, Berkeley.

An extension associate with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for extension associates. 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 extension associates.

1. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,830

Enrollment

29,474

2. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

3. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

4. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Lincoln, NE • Private

In-state tuition

$9,242

Enrollment

20,592

5. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

6. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$10,595

Enrollment

30,184

7. Ohio State University

Columbus, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$10,726

Enrollment

45,769

8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

9. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Enrollment

23,708

10. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

20 best online courses for extension associates

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1. Nutrition Education for the Consumer

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Understanding how to eat healthy can be daunting, especially when presented with unfamiliar science. Learn and apply everyday nutrition concepts to your lifestyle to get the most out of what you eat. Take time in understanding how to appropriately read food labels, enhance your diet and exercise with the right supplements, or break through misconceptions about nutrition fads. With the NASM Nutrition Education for the Consumer, you will learn the truth that evidence leads us to when developing...

2. Critical Issues in Urban Education

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Urban school reform in the United States is characterized by contentious, politicized debate. This course explores a set of critical issues in the education and educational reform space, with a focus on aspects of the field that have sparked controversy and polarized views. We will dig into these debates, situating them within the larger history of public education and school reform, and considering the viewpoints, the evidence, and translation of issues into educational policy. We will...

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5. Activity Design with PhET Simulations for STEM Education

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PhET Interactive Simulations ( https://phet.colorado.edu/ ), a project of the University of Colorado Boulder, provides fun, free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations for use across, primary, secondary, and higher education levels. We extensively test and evaluate each simulation to ensure educational effectiveness. All simulations are open source and free to all students and teachers. In this course, we will review strategies for how to use PhET to create sim-based...

6. Music Education for Teachers

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In the Music Education for Teachers specialization, you will explore ways of integrating popular music into your teaching. You'll begin by learning from two highly experienced teachers, Krystal Banfield, the Vice President of Educational Outreach for Berklee College of Music, and David Alexis a Berklee Professor and long-time instructor for the Berklee City Music Program. They will take you through their process of incorporating popular music, improvisation, arranging, and music technology into...

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9. Aboriginal Worldviews and Education

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Intended for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal learners, this course will explore indigenous ways of knowing and how they can benefit all students. Topics include historical, social, and political issues in Aboriginal education; terminology; cultural, spiritual and philosophical themes in Aboriginal worldviews; and how Aboriginal worldviews can inform professional programs and practices, including but not limited to the field of education...

10. Diversity and Inclusion in Education

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Student diversity is becoming the rule rather than the exception in education systems across the world. Students bring to classroom different characteristics such as ability and disability, socio-economic background, race, ethnicity, and cultural background, beliefs and religion, and gender characteristics. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all (United Nations, 2015)...

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14. Child Nutrition and Cooking

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Top 10 most affordable universities for extension associates

The most affordable schools for extension associates are University of Florida, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for extension associates 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 extension associates.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

9. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

10. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for extension associates

The hardest universities for extension associates to get into are Cornell University, Northwestern University, and University of California, Berkeley.

Some great schools for extension associates 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 extension associates 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. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,448

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

Admissions rate

30%

SAT average

1,339

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

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 extension associates

The easiest schools for extension associates to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, university of the incarnate word, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an extension associate 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 extension associates.

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

2. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,059

5. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

6. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

7. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

8. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

9. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

10. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

Average extension associate salary by education level

Extension associates with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $62,664 annually. With a Master's degree, extension associates earn a median annual income of $58,065 compared to $46,678 for extension associates with an Bachelor's degree.
Extension associate education levelExtension associate salary
Master's Degree$58,065
Bachelor's Degree$46,678
Doctorate Degree$62,664

Extension associate 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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