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Teaching & research assistant education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a teaching & research assistant. Teaching & research assistants usually study chemistry, mechanical engineering, or psychology. 67% of teaching & research assistants hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 8,543 real teaching & research assistant resumes to see exactly what teaching & research assistant education sections show.
The most common colleges for teaching & research assistants are the Brigham Young University and the Brigham Young University.
There are also many online teaching & research assistant courses to help get the education required to be a teaching & research assistant.
There are certain teaching & research assistant certifications that you should consider. These teaching & research assistant certifications include Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) and Clinical Research Assistant.
What education do you need to become a teaching & research assistant?
What degree do you need to be a teaching & research assistant?
- Bachelor's, 67%
- Master's, 23%
- Doctorate, 6%
- Associate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a teaching & research assistant?
- Chemistry, 14%
- Psychology, 8%
- Other Majors, 61%
Most common colleges for teaching & research assistants
| Teaching & research assistant common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Brigham Young University | 8.59% |
| University of Iowa | 6.56% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 5.97% |
| University of California - Davis | 5.85% |
| Purdue University | 5.73% |
Best majors for teaching & research assistants
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemistry | 13.9% |
| 2 | Mechanical Engineering | 8.7% |
| 3 | Psychology | 8.4% |
| 4 | Electrical Engineering | 7.7% |
| 5 | Biology | 6.8% |
Best colleges for teaching & research assistants
The best colleges for teaching & research assistants are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Northeastern University.
A teaching & research assistant with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for teaching & research assistants. 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 teaching & research assistants.
1. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
5. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
6. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
7. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
8. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,785
Enrollment
7,711
9. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Enrollment
24,841
10. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$8,184
Enrollment
11,675
20 best online courses for teaching & research assistants
Advertising disclosure
1. Psychological Research
This specialization is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in psychology, data analysis, ethics in research, and quantitative research methods along with high school students and professionals with similar interests.\n\nLearners will develop knowledge about the fundamentals of research design for quantitative studies in psychology, analysis of data from quantitative studies in psychology, and ethical standards for conducting psychological research. Learning...
2. Market Research
The Market Research Specialisation focuses on the essentials of research and the research process. This Specialisation will teach you how to use qualitative and quantitative research methods, how to develop and manage a questionnaire development strategy, how to develop measurements, how to collect data and how to analyze and present them.\n\nOnce you have completed this Specialisation, you will have a good understanding of market research including:\n\nEssentials of market research Components...
3. Research Methodology: Complete Research Project Blueprint
Research Methodology From A-Z. A Step-by-Step Guide Through Research Design, Data Collection, Analysis, & Interpretation...
4. SPSS For Research
SPSS data analysis made easy. Become an expert in advanced statistical analysis with SPSS...
5. Market Research
"Finding the Story in the Data” is the most important emerging capability for market researchers according to GRIT (Greenbook Research Industry Trends) Report 2016. This specialization, designed for learners with no previous Marketing Research experience teaches a comprehensive marketing research approach that will help learners find and communicate the story in the data.\n\nStudents will learn how to initiate a research project for targeted business needs, conduct research through multiple...
6. Qualitative Research
In this course, the second in the Market Research Specialization, you will go in-depth with qualitative market research methods, from design to implementation to analysis. Week 1: Define qualitative research and how it differs from quantitative research. Explore the various qualitative research methods and evaluate when and how to use them for your research project. Week 2: Design the qualitative instruments necessary for your interviews or focus groups, and plan your recruitment efforts. Write...
7. Research Methodology
Academic Research Business Research Thesis & Dissertation Report Research Paper / Journal...
8. The 16-hour SPSS Pro: Analysis, Interpretation, and Write-Up
16 Hours of Instruction From a 13 Year Researcher and College Instructor...
9. How to Visualize Research Data in Tableau
Publishing research often requires the preparation of visual elements like charts, tables, and graphs to better explain the text in a research report. Creating these elements can be done easily and effectively in Tableau. Using Tableau, large and small data sets can be visualized with precision, creativity, interactivity, and options in Tableau. After taking this course learners will know how to create a table, a geovisualization, and a pie chart. Three of the most common research...
10. Complete General Chemistry 20+ hours of lectures & examples
Master General Chemistry in 4 weeks by solving examples & problems! Rahsoft Chemical Engineering Department RAHCH101...
11. Dr. K's Complete First Semester General Chemistry I Course
A Course to Prepare You for College Level General Chemistry...
12. Statistics / Data Analysis in SPSS: Inferential Statistics
Increase Your Data Analytic Skills – Highly Valued And Sought After By Employers...
13. SPSS Masterclass: Learn SPSS From Scratch to Advanced
The Only Course You Will Ever Need to Learn IBM SPSS Statistics, Research, & Data Analysis Scratch to Advanced Level...
14. Qualitative Data Analysis using MAXQDA: Scratch to Advanced
Master Qualitative Research Method, Content Analysis, Grounded Theory, Thematic Analysis and more with MAXQDA Analytics...
15. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
Learn the basics of conducting qualitative research. Learn to design interviews, conduct observations, and analyze data...
16. Market Research: Dekker's Complete Marketing Research Course
Competitor Analysis, Market Research Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Consumer Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimization...
17. Statistics / Data Analysis: Survey Data and Likert Scales
How to Process Survey Data and Analyze Likert Scales In SPSS...
18. Chemistry 101 - Part 1 Principles of Chemistry
An introductory course for anybody who wants to study chemistry - either towards future pathways or just for fun!...
19. Global Marketing Research and Analytics
Understand and conduct market research on a global scale...
20. Introduction to Cheminformatics and medicinal chemistry
Understand the underlying chemistry of drug development and use free softwares to analyze molecules...
Top 10 most affordable universities for teaching & research assistants
The most affordable schools for teaching & research assistants are California State University - Long Beach, university of florida, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for teaching & research assistants 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 teaching & research assistants.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
6. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
9. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
10. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for teaching & research assistants
The hardest universities for teaching & research assistants to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Northeastern University.
Some great schools for teaching & research assistants 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 teaching & research assistants 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
4. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
6. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
7. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
8. Princeton University
Princeton, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,503
9. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
10. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for teaching & research assistants
The easiest schools for teaching & research assistants to get into are Kean University, capitol technology university, and d'youville college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a teaching & research assistant 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 teaching & research assistants.
1. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
2. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
3. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
4. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
5. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
6. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,068
7. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
8. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
9. Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,072
10. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
Average teaching & research assistant salary by education level
| Teaching & research assistant education level | Teaching & research assistant salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $50,514 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $40,695 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $43,733 |
| Doctorate Degree | $52,531 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $41,624 |
Teaching & research assistant education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025