Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Juvenile counselor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a juvenile counselor. Juvenile counselors usually study criminal justice, psychology, or social work. 67% of juvenile counselors hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,244 real juvenile counselor resumes to see exactly what juvenile counselor education sections show.
The most common colleges for juvenile counselors are the John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York and the John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York.
There are also many online juvenile counselor courses to help get the education required to be a juvenile counselor.
There are certain juvenile counselor certifications that you should consider. These juvenile counselor certifications include Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI) and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.
What education do you need to become a juvenile counselor?
What degree do you need to be a juvenile counselor?
- Bachelor's, 67%
- Associate, 13%
- Master's, 13%
- High School Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a juvenile counselor?
- Criminal Justice, 35%
- Psychology, 14%
- Social Work, 9%
- Sociology, 6%
- Other Majors, 36%
Most common colleges for juvenile counselors
| Juvenile counselor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York | 14.43% |
| University of Phoenix | 7.73% |
| Minnesota State University - Moorhead | 7.22% |
| North Carolina Central University | 7.22% |
| Fort Valley State University | 5.15% |
Best majors for juvenile counselors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Criminal Justice | 35.1% |
| 2 | Psychology | 14.0% |
| 3 | Social Work | 8.6% |
| 4 | Sociology | 5.7% |
| 5 | Human Services | 4.3% |
Best colleges for juvenile counselors
The best colleges for juvenile counselors are Boston University, Boston College, and Northwestern University.
A juvenile counselor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for juvenile counselors. 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 juvenile counselors.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
3. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
4. SUNY at Albany
Albany, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,011
Enrollment
13,434
5. San Jose State University
San Jose, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,796
Enrollment
27,125
6. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
7. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
8. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Enrollment
32,072
10. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
20 best online courses for juvenile counselors
Advertising disclosure
1. [Accredited] Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Counselor
Learn DBT in depth, start conducting sessions with ready to use templates, and set up counseling practice within weeks!...
2. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...
3. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
4. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
5. Professional Certification in Counseling - Fully Accredited
Become Professional Counselor (Counsellor)...
6. Professional Anger & Aggression Counselling Diploma
Fully Accredited Diploma Course For Powerful Counselling Techniques For Anger & Aggression Management...
7. Certified Spiritual Counselor & Psychology EmpathACCREDITED
Use a humanistic, soul care approach using strategy, positive psychology, emotional/impulse responses & natural empathy...
8. Active Directory & Group Policy Administration for IT Techs
Active Directory & Group Policy Administration Basics for Helpdesk and Desktop / IT Support Technicians...
9. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...
10. Preventing and Surviving an Active Shooter Incident
Active Shooter/Violent Intruder Prevention and Response...
11. Counselling clients affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
Learn step by step, highly practical and rapid learning. Useful during and after the pandemic. CBT-REBT based...
12. Abnormal Behavior & Clinical Psychology (Certificate)
Guiding students into the field of mental health services for either personal and/or professional development...
13. [Active Directory] Management using Windows PowerShell
[Power Shell] Simplified practical knowledge for automation & management of [Active Directory] using Windows Power Shell...
14. Managing mental health issues in the workplace
Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...
15. 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...
16. Couples Counselling using Systemic Family Therapy
Help people build stronger relationships and marriages by learning couples counselling skills...
17. PowerShell for Active Directory Administrators
Use Power Shell to manage Active Directory users, computer, groups, security settings and more on Windows Server...
18. Active Directory on Windows Server
Learn how to deploy and manage all aspects of Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS and many more technologies...
19. Workplace Mental Health: A Manager's Ultimate Guide
How to manage mental health in the workplace to boost productivity and be the best boss!...
20. Anger Management & Conflict Resolution Program - (4 hours)
How to manage anger and ensure it does not explode into rage. Enhance your life by building quality relationships...
Top 10 most affordable universities for juvenile counselors
The most affordable schools for juvenile counselors are Hunter College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for juvenile counselors 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 juvenile counselors.
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. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
10. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for juvenile counselors
The hardest universities for juvenile counselors to get into are Boston University, Boston College, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for juvenile counselors 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 juvenile counselors 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. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,398
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
10. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for juvenile counselors
The easiest schools for juvenile counselors to get into are Nyack College, notre dame de namur university, and kean university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a juvenile counselor 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 juvenile counselors.
1. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
4. Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,059
5. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
6. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
7. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
8. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
9. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
10. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
Average juvenile counselor salary by education level
| Juvenile counselor education level | Juvenile counselor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $48,952 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $40,316 |
Juvenile counselor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common community and social services questions.
Search for juvenile counselor jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025