Parent aide education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a parent aide. Parent aides usually study psychology, social work, or human services. 58% of parent aides hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,510 real parent aide resumes to see exactly what parent aide education sections show.

The most common colleges for parent aides are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online parent aide courses to help get the education required to be a parent aide.

There are certain parent aide certifications that you should consider. These parent aide certifications include Advanced First Aid & CPR and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

What education do you need to become a parent aide?

What degree do you need to be a parent aide?

The most common degree for parent aides is bachelor's degree, with 58% of parent aides earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 19% and associate degree degree at 12%.

Bachelor's, 58%

Associate, 19%

Master's, 12%

High School Diploma, 7%

Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a parent aide?

You should major in psychology to become a parent aide. 21% of parent aides major in psychology. Other common majors for a parent aide include social work and human services.

Psychology, 21%

Social Work, 11%

Human Services, 11%

Criminal Justice, 9%

Other Majors, 48%

Most common colleges for parent aides

Parent aides often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Arizona State University, and Valdosta State University. Here are the most common colleges for parent aides in the US based on their resumes.

Parent aide common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	17.63%
Arizona State University	16.27%
Valdosta State University	8.47%
University of Arizona	8.47%
Grand Canyon University	6.78%

Show more common parent aide colleges

Best majors for parent aides

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Psychology	21.2%
2	Social Work	11.1%
3	Human Services	10.9%
4	Criminal Justice	9.1%
5	Business	7.8%

Show more common parent aide majors

Best colleges for parent aides

The best colleges for parent aides are Boston University, Northwestern University, and SUNY at Binghamton.

A parent 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 parent 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 parent aides.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

2. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

3. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Enrollment

13,871

4. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Enrollment

34,637

5. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Enrollment

31,321

7. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

8. San Jose State University

San Jose, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,796

Enrollment

27,125

9. Youngstown State University

Youngstown, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$8,967

Enrollment

10,030

10. Minnesota State University - Mankato

Mankato, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$8,184

Enrollment

11,675

20 best online courses for parent aides

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1. Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing

Everyday Parenting gives you access to a toolkit of behavior-change techniques that will make your typical day in the home easier as you develop the behaviors you would like to see in your child. The lessons provide step-by-step instructions and demonstrations to improve your course of action with both children and adolescents. Among many techniques, you will learn how even simple modifications to tone of voice and phrasing can lead to more compliance. The course will also shed light on many...

2. 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...

3. Parenting Skills to Raise Responsible, Mature Children

4.7

(2,444)

Positive Parenting Parenting Skills Loving Home Parenting Techniques Positive Discipline Family Communication...

4. St John Ambulance: Official Baby & Paediatric First Aid

4.8

(294)

Essential Lifesaving First Aid & CPR Skills for Parents, Guardians & Carers in an Emergency Situation...

5. Wilderness First Aid

Wilderness First Aid is for anyone who wants to improve their safety in nature. In this specialization, you will find basic emergency medical care to help stabilize or evacuate injured or ill people in wilderness settings. The courses include an introduction to wilderness first aid, medical emergencies, traumatic injuries, and environmental emergencies. Join us as we learn from real-life scenarios and stories from wilderness experts and medical professionals...

6. Mindful Parenting Diploma Happy Positive Children

4.5

(422)

Earn Your Certification in Mindful Parenting and Positive Psychology and Improve Your Family's Well-being...

7. Parenting Teens with Confidence: Certified Practitioner

4.4

(338)

The Ultimate Parenting Teens Course: Accredited Certification and Practical Strategies for Navigating Adolescence...

8. Autism Awareness Course for Parents - Autism Training

4.4

(269)

Training Helps Parents Reduce Challenging Autism Behavior Learn to Understand & Manage Autism and Autistic Children...

9. First Aid, and Children's Health: Your Complete Guide

4.5

(622)

Taught by a Doctor: Mandatory first aid course covering all of the common injuries and illnesses especially of children...

10. Neuroscience for parents: How to raise amazing kids

4.7

(9,114)

Parenting to help your children develop a healthy brain, self esteem and trust. nurture their talents and bond with them...

11. First Aid

4.3

(1,797)

A guide to first aid for the common man. Covers sudden illness, wounds, burns, bone injuries and more...

12. Positive Parenting - Dealing with Power Struggles

(338)

No I Won't and You Can't Make Me!...

13. Pet First Aid (Advanced)

4.5

(655)

Learn essential knowledge and skills to be able to confidently carry out emergency first aid on a pet animal...

14. Home Health Aide, Nurse Aide, Caregiver Certification Course

4.6

(1,178)

Become A Certified Home Health Aide, Personal Care Aide, Nurse Aide/ Caregiver At The End Of This Course. Enroll Now!!...

15. First Aid Masterclass: A Complete Guide to First Aid

4.7

(610)

The Complete Guide to First Aid and Emergency Medicine: Learn CPR, Heimlich, How to Stop Bleedings, Baby Care & More!...

16. Emergency Life Support First Aid Training

4.7

(2,132)

Learn important life saving first aid. Treatment of major illness and injuries...

17. Time Management, Productivity, Decision Making Tools & Aids

4.2

(254)

Tools, aids, tips and kits to help improve personal productivity...

18. Paediatric First Aid Training (0-18years)

4.5

(369)

This course is of particular interest to all childcare workers and families...

19. Time Management for Working Parents

4.6

(883)

Learn to manage your time and tasks effectively so you can beat overwhelm...

20. First Aid: Learn How to Save a Life

4.7

(389)

Covers all first aid skills you need to know to save your loved ones and others in emergencies. Perfect for beginners...

Top 10 most affordable universities for parent aides

The most affordable schools for parent aides are Hunter College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for parent 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 parent 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. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

5. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

9. California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,922

Cost of attendance

18,522

10. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for parent aides

The hardest universities for parent aides to get into are Boston University, Northwestern University, and SUNY at Binghamton.

Some great schools for parent 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 parent 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. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

4. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

5. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

Admissions rate

49%

SAT average

1,347

6. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

7. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

Admissions rate

39%

SAT average

1,367

8. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

9. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

Admissions rate

50%

SAT average

1,284

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 parent aides

The easiest schools for parent aides to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, bluefield college, and university of north texas at dallas.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a parent 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 parent aides.

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

2. Bluefield College

Bluefield, VA • Private

Admissions rate

95%

SAT average

980

3. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

4. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

5. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

6. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

7. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

8. University of Houston - Downtown

Houston, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,012

9. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

10. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

Average parent aide salary by education level

Parent aides with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $47,514 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, parent aides earn a median annual income of $42,867 compared to $37,575 for parent aides with an Associate degree.

Parent aide education level	Parent aide salary
Master's Degree	$47,514
High School Diploma or Less	$37,291
Bachelor's Degree	$42,867
Some College/ Associate Degree	$37,575

Parent aide education FAQs

What is the best college for Parent Aides?

Have more questions? See all answers to common community and social services questions.

Search for parent aide jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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