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Quality improvement coordinator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a quality improvement coordinator. Quality improvement coordinators usually study nursing, business, or psychology. 55% of quality improvement coordinators hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,583 real quality improvement coordinator resumes to see exactly what quality improvement coordinator education sections show.

The most common colleges for quality improvement coordinators are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online quality improvement coordinator courses to help get the education required to be a quality improvement coordinator.

There are certain quality improvement coordinator certifications that you should consider. These quality improvement coordinator certifications include Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) and Six Sigma Green Belt.

What education do you need to become a quality improvement coordinator?

What degree do you need to be a quality improvement coordinator?

The most common degree for quality improvement coordinators is bachelor's degree, with 55% of quality improvement coordinators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 19% and associate degree degree at 16%.
  • Bachelor's, 55%
  • Associate, 19%
  • Master's, 16%
  • Diploma, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a quality improvement coordinator?

You should major in nursing to become a quality improvement coordinator. 45% of quality improvement coordinators major in nursing. Other common majors for a quality improvement coordinator include business and psychology.

Most common colleges for quality improvement coordinators

Quality improvement coordinators often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, New York University, and Walden University. Here are the most common colleges for quality improvement coordinators in the US based on their resumes.
Quality improvement coordinator common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix18.79%
New York University6.04%
Walden University6.04%
University of Southern California5.37%
Ohio State University4.70%

Best majors for quality improvement coordinators

RankMajorPercentages
1Nursing44.8%
2Business12.7%
3Psychology8.3%
4Health Care Administration6.8%
5Public Health2.8%

Best colleges for quality improvement coordinators

The best colleges for quality improvement coordinators are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

A quality improvement coordinator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for quality improvement coordinators. 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 quality improvement coordinators.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

5. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

7. Maria College of Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$15,140

Enrollment

876

8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

9. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

10. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

20 best online courses for quality improvement coordinators

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1. Value-Based Care: Managing Processes to Improve Outcomes

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COURSE 3 of 7. This course is designed to introduce you to critical office-based processes that a value-based practice must manage in the drive towards improved patient outcomes. In Module 2, we’ll focus on office-based and clinical patient-based supporting functions. At every level in healthcare, guidelines, processes, and functions exist to improve outcomes, and following a consistent process will return the best effect. Refine your understanding of value and learn strategies to provide real...

2. Clinical Trials Data Management and Quality Assurance

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In this course, you’ll learn to collect and care for the data gathered during your trial and how to prevent mistakes and errors through quality assurance practices. Clinical trials generate an enormous amount of data, so you and your team must plan carefully by choosing the right collection instruments, systems, and measures to protect the integrity of your trial data. You’ll learn how to assemble, clean, and de-identify your datasets. Finally, you’ll learn to find and correct deficiencies...

3. 7 Quality Tools for Quality Management and Improvements.

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4.4
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A complete Crash Course on the 7 Basic Tools for Quality Management and its Implementation using MS Excel...

4. Mastering the Seven Basic Quality Improvement Tools [2022]

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4.6
(506)

Master the 7 QC tools for process improvement using MS Excel + Certification 2 case studies included...

5. Intro to Improving the Patient Experience Through Analytics

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This course is best suited for individuals currently in the healthcare sector, as a provider, payer, or administrator. Individuals pursuing a career change to the healthcare sector may also be interested in this course. In this course, you will have an opportunity to explore concepts and topics related to improving the patient experience and reducing pain points in healthcare processes through analytic and decision support frameworks. After learning about the problems facing patients in today's...

6. Engaging in Improving Patient Experience Through Analytics

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This course is best suited for individuals currently in the healthcare sector, as a provider, payer, or administrator. Individuals pursuing a career change to the healthcare sector may also be interested in this course. This is the second part in a two-part course exploring concepts and topics related to improving the patient experience and reducing pain points in healthcare processes through analytic and decision support frameworks. In this course, you will survey the kind of data that is used...

7. Process Improvement

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#1 Process Improvement course: The step by step guide on how to deliver effective and lasting process improvements...

8. Kaizen Practitioner Masterclass for Quality Management.

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Structured Approach to identify and Eliminate waste in Business for Continuous Improvement & Quality Management...

9. Prehospital care of acute stroke and patient selection for endovascular treatment using the RACE scale

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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...

10. Data Quality Fundamentals

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4.2
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Understand key concepts, principles and terminology related to Data Quality...

11. Quality Systems, Models and Theories

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Understand, Develop and Implement Quality Systems for Success and Profit...

12. ISO9001 Quality Management System

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Learn why your business should be using Quality Management TODAY and create your own QMS (Quality Management System)...

13. ISO 9001:2015 Quality management system auditor

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Upgrade your career by learning how to implement and audit a quality management system according to ISO 9001...

14. Quality Management for Business Excellence

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4.5
(3,592)

Lead Quality Management in the Organization • Transform the Organization to Become the Best-in-Class...

15. Data Quality Masterclass - The Complete Course

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Learn Data Quality Management from A to Z. This complete guide covers all Data Quality Principles, Techniques and more...

16. ISO 9001:2015-Quality Management System Implementation & Audit

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Learn how to Implement and Audit a Quality Management System as per ISO 9001: 2015...

17. Certified Manager of Quality Training

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Certified Manager of Quality and Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) Exam Preparation Course...

18. Improve your Handwriting - Improve your Life

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Increase your confidence and success in business and academic endeavors by improving your handwriting...

19. Coaching Managers & Leaders for Continuous Improvement

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Coaching for Lean Leadership, Continuous Improvement and Business Performance...

20. Leadership, Business Process Improvement, & Process Mapping!

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Learn the leadership, communication, and process mapping skills to accelerate your career!...

Top 10 most affordable universities for quality improvement coordinators

The most affordable schools for quality improvement coordinators are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for quality improvement coordinators 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 quality improvement coordinators.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

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. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

5. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

6. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

7. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. Lehman College of the City University of New York

Bronx, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,210

Cost of attendance

14,359

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 quality improvement coordinators

The hardest universities for quality improvement coordinators to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for quality improvement coordinators 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 quality improvement coordinators 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

7. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

8. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

9. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

10. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for quality improvement coordinators

The easiest schools for quality improvement coordinators to get into are D'Youville College, mount saint mary's university, and gwynedd mercy university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a quality improvement coordinator 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 quality improvement coordinators.

1. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

2. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

3. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

4. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

5. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

6. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

7. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,016

8. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

9. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

10. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

Average quality improvement coordinator salary by education level

According to our data, quality improvement coordinators with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $89,887 annually. Quality improvement coordinators with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $88,314.
Quality improvement coordinator education levelQuality improvement coordinator salary
Master's Degree$88,314
Bachelor's Degree$80,030
Doctorate Degree$89,887
Some College/ Associate Degree$69,339

Quality improvement coordinator education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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