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First aid instructor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a first aid instructor. First aid instructors usually study nursing, business, or psychology. 54% of first aid instructors hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,803 real first aid instructor resumes to see exactly what first aid instructor education sections show.
The most common colleges for first aid instructors are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online first aid instructor courses to help get the education required to be a first aid instructor.
There are certain first aid instructor certifications that you should consider. These first aid instructor certifications include Instructor and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.
What education do you need to become a first aid instructor?
What degree do you need to be a first aid instructor?
- Bachelor's, 54%
- Associate, 19%
- Master's, 13%
- High School Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 8%
What should I major in to become a first aid instructor?
- Nursing, 16%
- Business, 9%
- Psychology, 9%
- Other Majors, 58%
Most common colleges for first aid instructors
| First aid instructor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 14.52% |
| University of California - Davis | 8.87% |
| Western Michigan University | 7.26% |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 6.45% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 5.65% |
Best majors for first aid instructors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nursing | 15.6% |
| 2 | Business | 9.2% |
| 3 | Psychology | 9.0% |
| 4 | Medical Technician | 8.4% |
| 5 | Health Education | 6.4% |
Best colleges for first aid instructors
The best colleges for first aid instructors are University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, and Vanderbilt University.
A first aid instructor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for first aid instructors. 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 first aid instructors.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
3. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
4. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
6. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
7. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
In-state tuition
$49,816
Enrollment
6,840
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
9. University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,700
Enrollment
29,722
10. University of California - Davis
Davis, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,402
Enrollment
30,698
20 best online courses for first aid instructors
Advertising disclosure
1. 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...
2. AIDS: Fear and Hope
The basic biology of the virus, HIV, and the disease it causes, AIDS. The economic, social and political factors that determine who gets sick and who remains healthy, who lives and who dies. The progress of scientific research and medical treatments. The reasons for hope; the reasons for fear. (To get a glimpse of some of the materials that students have been posting on the course forums, go to @AIDSFAH or #AIDSFAH.)...
3. Emergency Life Support First Aid Training
Learn important life saving first aid. Treatment of major illness and injuries...
4. First Aid Masterclass: A Complete Guide to First Aid
The Complete Guide to First Aid and Emergency Medicine: Learn CPR, Heimlich, How to Stop Bleedings, Baby Care & More!...
5. Wilderness First Aid - Introduction
In this course, students will learn the basics of wilderness medicine, including how it is a unique clinical environment, and concepts of scene safety. They will learn how to perform a basic assessment of a patient, including a physical exam, gather history data using the SAMPLE approach, and how to evaluate a patient for a potential spinal cord injury...
6. Health for All Through Primary Health Care
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...
7. First Aid & CPR - An in Depth Guide to CPR, AED and Choking
Learn the most important first aid fundamentals to keep your loved ones safe. A practical first aid course for anyone...
8. Pet First Aid (Advanced)
Learn essential knowledge and skills to be able to confidently carry out emergency first aid on a pet animal...
9. First Aid
A guide to first aid for the common man. Covers sudden illness, wounds, burns, bone injuries and more...
10. St John Ambulance: Official Baby & Paediatric First Aid
Essential Lifesaving First Aid & CPR Skills for Parents, Guardians & Carers in an Emergency Situation...
11. First Aid: Learn How to Save a Life
Covers all first aid skills you need to know to save your loved ones and others in emergencies. Perfect for beginners...
12. Mental Health First Aid Skills -
This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge for learners to help and support those experiencing MH issues...
13. First Aid, and Children's Health: Your Complete Guide
Taught by a Doctor: Mandatory first aid course covering all of the common injuries and illnesses especially of children...
14. Paediatric First Aid Training (0-18years)
This course is of particular interest to all childcare workers and families...
15. Herbalism:: Essential First Aid Remedies Certificate
Be prepared by equipping your first aid kit with important herbs, herbal medicine & natural medicine that you need...
16. Home Health Aide, Nurse Aide, Caregiver Certification Course
Become A Certified Home Health Aide, Personal Care Aide, Nurse Aide/ Caregiver At The End Of This Course. Enroll Now!!...
17. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate
Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...
18. Time Management, Productivity, Decision Making Tools & Aids
Tools, aids, tips and kits to help improve personal productivity...
19. OSHA Safety Training: Heat Stress Management
A Workplace Safety Management Course for Current and Future Safety Professionals...
20. Workplace Mental Health: A Manager's Ultimate Guide
How to manage mental health in the workplace to boost productivity and be the best boss!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for first aid instructors
The most affordable schools for first aid instructors are Hunter College of the City University of New York, california state university - fresno, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for first aid instructors 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 first aid instructors.
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 - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
6. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for first aid instructors
The hardest universities for first aid instructors to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for first aid instructors 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 first aid instructors 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
3. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
Admissions rate
26%
SAT average
1,427
7. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,434
8. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
14%
SAT average
1,423
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 first aid instructors
The easiest schools for first aid instructors to get into are D'Youville College, gwynedd mercy university, and nyack college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a first aid instructor 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 first aid instructors.
1. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
2. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
3. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
4. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
5. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
6. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
7. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
8. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
9. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
10. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
Average first aid instructor salary by education level
| First aid instructor education level | First aid instructor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $51,693 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $41,060 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $46,938 |
| Doctorate Degree | $57,094 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $45,096 |
First aid instructor education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025