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Mental health aide education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a mental health aide. Mental health aides usually study psychology, human services, or social work. 48% of mental health aides hold a bachelor's degree, and 22% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,612 real mental health aide resumes to see exactly what mental health aide education sections show.
The most common colleges for mental health aides are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online mental health aide courses to help get the education required to be a mental health aide.
There are certain mental health aide certifications that you should consider. These mental health aide certifications include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant.
What education do you need to become a mental health aide?
What degree do you need to be a mental health aide?
- Bachelor's, 48%
- Associate, 22%
- High School Diploma, 12%
- Master's, 8%
- Other Degrees, 10%
What should I major in to become a mental health aide?
- Psychology, 28%
- Human Services, 8%
- Social Work, 8%
- Nursing, 8%
- Other Majors, 48%
Most common colleges for mental health aides
| Mental health aide common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 9.72% |
| Long Island University | 6.94% |
| Monroe College | 6.25% |
| Touro College | 6.25% |
| University of South Dakota | 5.56% |
Best majors for mental health aides
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 27.6% |
| 2 | Human Services | 8.4% |
| 3 | Social Work | 8.4% |
| 4 | Nursing | 8.1% |
| 5 | Business | 7.1% |
Best colleges for mental health aides
The best colleges for mental health aides are Johns Hopkins University, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
A mental health aide with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for mental health aides. 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 mental health aides.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Enrollment
16,205
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
7. San Jose State University
San Jose, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,796
Enrollment
27,125
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
9. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
10. Coppin State University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$8,873
Enrollment
2,326
20 best online courses for mental health aides
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3. 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...
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5. Health Care Delivery in Healthcare Organizations
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6. The Business of Health Care
This Specialization was designed to help you keep pace with the rapidly changing world of health and health care. Through partnership with Wharton and Penn Medicine, you’ll learn from experts in business acumen, health care management, and health care policy to develop the skills you’ll need to successfully navigate the quickly evolving landscape of this fast-growing field.* By the end of this specialization, you will have a strong foundational understanding of the American health care system,...
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10. Prehospital care of acute stroke and patient selection for endovascular treatment using the RACE scale
Acute stroke is a time-dependent medical emergency. In acute ischemic stroke, the first objective is to restore brain flow using sistemic thrombolytic treatment and, in patients with large vessel occlusion, by endovascular treatment. In hemorrhagic stroke there are also specific treatments that can improve the clinical outcome. The sooner the initiation of all these therapies the higher the clinical benefit. Thus, the organization of Stroke Code systems coordinated between emergency medical...
11. Managing mental health issues in the workplace
Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...
12. Mental Health and Wellness Professional (MHW) Diploma Course
Discover a flexible and comprehensive way of understanding mental health as a Certified Mental Health Professional (MHP)...
13. Mental Health and Neuroplasticity: Change your Brain
10 Alternatives to Medication to Improve Mental Health - Research backed treatments for Depression and Anxiety...
14. Coping Skills and Self-Care for Mental Health
Essential skills to manage intense emotions and develop a self-care practice to promote mental health...
15. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
16. Mindfulness for Mental Health, Personal Growth & Inner Peace
The essential guide to cultivating positive mental health, practicing mindfulness, and advancing your personal growth...
17. Workplace Mental Health: A Manager's Ultimate Guide
How to manage mental health in the workplace to boost productivity and be the best boss!...
18. The Key to Happiness: Self Care
Discover Self Care as a tool for creating positive change in your mental health, behaviours, and well-being...
19. 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...
20. Cognitive Psychology for Positive Mental Health and Wellness
Optimise your mental health and reduce stress by mastering the key concepts of Cognitive Behavioural Psychology (CBP)...
Top 10 most affordable universities for mental health aides
The most affordable schools for mental health aides 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 mental health aides 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 mental health aides.
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. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
6. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
9. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
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 mental health aides
The hardest universities for mental health aides to get into are Johns Hopkins University, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
Some great schools for mental health aides 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 mental health aides 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. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
5. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
6. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
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. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,434
10. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for mental health aides
The easiest schools for mental health aides to get into are Nyack College, mount saint mary's university, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a mental health aide 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 mental health aides.
1. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
5. Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,059
6. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
7. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
8. College of New Rochelle, The
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
982
9. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
10. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
Average mental health aide salary by education level
| Mental health aide education level | Mental health aide salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $33,927 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $30,004 |
Mental health aide education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025