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Guardian ad litem education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a guardian ad litem. Guardian ad litems usually study law, psychology, or criminal justice. 57% of guardian ad litems hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,570 real guardian ad litem resumes to see exactly what guardian ad litem education sections show.
The most common colleges for guardian ad litems are the University of Florida and the University of Florida.
There are also many online guardian ad litem courses to help get the education required to be a guardian ad litem.
What education do you need to become a guardian ad litem?
What degree do you need to be a guardian ad litem?
- Bachelor's, 57%
- Associate, 14%
- Doctorate, 13%
- Master's, 11%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a guardian ad litem?
- Law, 16%
- Psychology, 14%
- Criminal Justice, 12%
- Social Work, 11%
- Other Majors, 47%
Most common colleges for guardian ad litems
| Guardian ad litem common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Florida | 13.22% |
| Florida State University | 12.54% |
| University of Central Florida | 7.80% |
| Florida International University | 7.12% |
| University of South Florida | 5.42% |
Best majors for guardian ad litems
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Law | 16.2% |
| 2 | Psychology | 14.3% |
| 3 | Criminal Justice | 11.8% |
| 4 | Social Work | 10.9% |
| 5 | Business | 7.9% |
Best colleges for guardian ad litems
The best colleges for guardian ad litems are Columbia University in the City of New York, University of Chicago, and Northwestern University.
A guardian ad litem with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for guardian ad litems. 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 guardian ad litems.
1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
3. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
5. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$58,230
Enrollment
6,600
6. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
7. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
8. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
9. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$53,399
Enrollment
7,356
10. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
20 best online courses for guardian ad litems
Advertising disclosure
1. 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...
2. Helping Families Avoid Negative Court Involvement Teach-Out
This course will teach learners how to understand when issues can become legal issues, encourage learners to recognize legal problems early, identify possible “legal soft spots” in their own situations, and act when issues are identified to avoid them escalating. This course will also teach and encourage learners to think preventatively and provide some tools to use with an eye toward preventing future legal issues. Finally, this Teach-out seeks to expand the idea of legal health checks to a...
3. Spiritual Development in the Arms of Your Guardian Angel
Learn how to talk clearly to your Guardian Angel, to ask questions and receive answers and receive powerful guidance...
4. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
5. Social Policy for Social Services & Health Practitioners
In the U.S., social policy accounts for two-thirds of government spending. Knowing how policies are constructed, what values underlie them, and how they succeed or fail makes everyone more effective at work or in their civic role. This specialization includes an HONORS track in which learners will complete a professional social policy analysis.\n\nTeachers, health care workers, police, and social workers interact with policy daily, but all of us should care about the impact and effectiveness of...
6. 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...
7. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
8. Criminal Law in 120 Minutes: A Fast Track Course
A 2 hour fast track summary of Criminal Law, targeting all common law LL.B examinations!...
9. Introduction to International Criminal Law
-- About the Course -- From the Nuremberg trial to the case against Saddam Hussein, from the prosecution of Al-Qaeda terrorists to the trial of Somali pirates – no area of law is as important to world peace and security as international criminal law. Taught by one of the world’s leading experts in the field, this course will educate students about the fundamentals of international criminal law and policy. We will explore the contours of international crimes such as genocide, war crimes,...
10. International Law in Action: A Guide to the International Courts and Tribunals in The Hague
International Law in Action explains the functions of each international court and tribunal present in The Hague, and it looks at how these institutions address contemporary problems. On the basis of selected cases, and through interviews with judges and lawyers, you will explore the role of these courts and tribunals and their potential to contribute to global justice. The first module of the course will investigate how judicial settlement is different from other more political forms of...
11. Psychology of Criminal Behaviour & Criminology - ACCREDITED
Personality Disorders, Violence, Sex Offence, Murder, and other types of crime...
12. Providing Trauma-Informed Care
Exploring psychological trauma and how to provide care and compassion to trauma survivors...
13. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate
Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...
14. Parenting Skills to Raise Responsible, Mature Children
Positive Parenting Parenting Skills Loving Home Parenting Techniques Positive Discipline Family Communication...
15. Effective Legal Office Administration
Effective Legal Office Administration...
16. Legal English
Legal language and communication skills...
17. How to Help Family Members or Friends with Mental Illness
Practical Counseling Skills to help children, family or friends with Depression, Anxiety, or Other Mental Illness...
18. Criminology and Criminal Psychology Certified CSI+ Course
Learn Criminal Law and Start your career with certification of Criminal Law and Criminal Psychology, Learn Criminology...
19. Mindful Parenting Diploma Happy Positive Children
Earn Your Certification in Mindful Parenting and Positive Psychology and Improve Your Family's Well-being...
20. 2023 Facebook Ads & Instagram Ads Social marketing
Growth hack Facebook Ads with Digital Marketing, Social Media. FB advertising 101. Create profitable facebook ads...
Top 10 most affordable universities for guardian ad litems
The most affordable schools for guardian ad litems are California State University - Long Beach, hunter college of the city university of new york, and florida state university.
If the best universities for guardian ad litems 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 guardian ad litems.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
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. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
4. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
7. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
8. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
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 guardian ad litems
The hardest universities for guardian ad litems to get into are Columbia University in the City of New York, University of Chicago, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for guardian ad litems 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 guardian ad litems 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. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
2. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
5. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,434
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for guardian ad litems
The easiest schools for guardian ad litems to get into are Barry University, nyack college, and kean university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a guardian ad litem 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 guardian ad litems.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
3. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
4. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
5. University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,020
6. Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA • Private
Admissions rate
95%
SAT average
980
7. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
8. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Camden
Camden, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,086
9. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
10. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
Average guardian ad litem salary by education level
| Guardian ad litem education level | Guardian ad litem salary |
|---|---|
| Doctorate Degree | $48,755 |
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025