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Staff therapist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a staff therapist. Staff therapists usually study medical technician, psychology, or physical therapy. 46% of staff therapists hold a bachelor's degree, and 27% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 3,674 real staff therapist resumes to see exactly what staff therapist education sections show.
The most common colleges for staff therapists are the Boston University and the Boston University.
There are also many online staff therapist courses to help get the education required to be a staff therapist.
There are certain staff therapist certifications that you should consider. These staff therapist certifications include Radiation Therapy and Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT).
What education do you need to become a staff therapist?
What degree do you need to be a staff therapist?
- Bachelor's, 46%
- Master's, 27%
- Associate, 21%
- Doctorate, 3%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a staff therapist?
- Medical Technician, 16%
- Psychology, 16%
- Physical Therapy, 12%
- Occupational Therapy, 11%
- Other Majors, 45%
Most common colleges for staff therapists
| Staff therapist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Boston University | 9.20% |
| Lesley University | 7.66% |
| New York University | 6.90% |
| University of Pittsburgh | 6.13% |
| Florida International University | 5.75% |
Best majors for staff therapists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medical Technician | 16.3% |
| 2 | Psychology | 15.8% |
| 3 | Physical Therapy | 11.6% |
| 4 | Occupational Therapy | 11.4% |
| 5 | Social Work | 10.3% |
Best colleges for staff therapists
The best colleges for staff therapists are Boston University, New York University, and University of Southern California.
A staff therapist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for staff therapists. 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 staff therapists.
1. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
3. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
5. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
6. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Enrollment
32,072
8. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI • Private
In-state tuition
$10,555
Enrollment
30,360
9. University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT • Private
In-state tuition
$15,730
Enrollment
18,830
10. University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,368
Enrollment
58,392
20 best online courses for staff therapists
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7. Occupational Therapy Introduction - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
How to become occupational therapist, basic Psychology, Physiology & Anatomy, working with disabilities, children adults...
8. Metacognitive Therapy
Learn MCT, a cognitive psychotherapy based on CBT, that helps clients tackle the root of their anxiety and depression...
9. Introduction to CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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11. Art Therapy: Personal Development and Self Healing with Art
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12. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Certificate
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19. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Certificate
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20. Professional Cupping Therapy & Massage
Professional and comprehensive course of cupping techniques and applications...
Top 10 most affordable universities for staff therapists
The most affordable schools for staff therapists are California State University - Long Beach, brigham young university, and florida international university.
If the best universities for staff therapists 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 staff therapists.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
3. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
4. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
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. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
8. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
9. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
10. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for staff therapists
The hardest universities for staff therapists to get into are Boston University, New York University, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for staff therapists 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 staff therapists 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. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,398
6. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
7. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,367
8. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
9. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
10. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for staff therapists
The easiest schools for staff therapists to get into are Barry University, mount saint mary's university, and kean university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a staff therapist 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 staff therapists.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
4. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
5. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,016
6. Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,059
7. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,033
8. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
9. Washington Adventist Hospital
Takoma Park, MD • Private
Admissions rate
52%
SAT average
958
10. California University of Pennsylvania
California, PA • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,007
Average staff therapist salary by education level
| Staff therapist education level | Staff therapist salary |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $58,313 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $53,689 |
Staff therapist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025