Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Therapeutic support staff education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a therapeutic support staff. Therapeutic support staff usually study psychology, criminal justice, or social work. 79% of therapeutic support staff hold a bachelor's degree, and 10% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 10,225 real therapeutic support staff resumes to see exactly what therapeutic support staff education sections show.
The most common colleges for therapeutic support staff are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.
There are also many online therapeutic support staff courses to help get the education required to be a therapeutic support staff.
There are certain therapeutic support staff certifications that you should consider. These therapeutic support staff certifications include Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Behavioral Specialty (CBHC-BS).
What education do you need to become a therapeutic support staff?
What degree do you need to be a therapeutic support staff?
- Bachelor's, 79%
- Master's, 10%
- Associate, 9%
- High School Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become a therapeutic support staff?
- Psychology, 36%
- Criminal Justice, 11%
- Social Work, 8%
- Sociology, 6%
- Other Majors, 39%
Most common colleges for therapeutic support staff
| Therapeutic support staff common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University | 16.36% |
| Temple University | 7.98% |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | 7.84% |
| University of Pittsburgh | 7.03% |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | 5.48% |
Best majors for therapeutic support staff
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 35.6% |
| 2 | Criminal Justice | 10.9% |
| 3 | Social Work | 7.6% |
| 4 | Sociology | 6.4% |
| 5 | Elementary Education | 5.0% |
Best colleges for therapeutic support staff
The best colleges for therapeutic support staff are Boston University, Northwestern University, and Washington University in St Louis.
A therapeutic support staff with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for therapeutic support staff. 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 therapeutic support staff.
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. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
7. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Enrollment
31,321
8. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
9. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
10. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
20 best online courses for therapeutic support staff
Advertising disclosure
1. The Critical Role of IT Support Staff in Healthcare
This is a very exciting time to be exploring a career in Health IT Support! In this introductory course, you’ll learn about various roles in IT support that are common in healthcare. IT support staff play critical roles in many different healthcare venues. In addition to helping clinics, hospitals, and emergency rooms, you may end up providing support in a skilled nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, virtual care setting, or even a patient’s home! On any given day, you may interact...
2. Introduction to Technical Support
Technical Support professionals are in great demand! This is the first course in the IBM IT Support Professional Certificate program, designed to prepare you for a rewarding career in technical support. You will begin this self-paced course by learning what Informational Technology (IT) support is all about. You'll find out the roles and responsibilities of Technical Support professionals and become familiar with all the different career paths you can take in Technical Support. You will also...
3. Managing mental health issues in the workplace
Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...
4. IT Support/HelpDesk Fundamentals - 9 Topics in one course!
Master the skills and attributes sought after by employers for IT Help Desk, IT Support, and IT Technician positions...
5. Healthcare IT Support
Are you looking to get your foot in the door as a Healthcare IT Support specialist? Do you want to solve technical problems for healthcare professionals and health system employees? Have you always wanted to enter an in-demand field in Health Information Technology? The courses in this specialization are designed to pique your interest regarding the ever-evolving field of IT support in healthcare. In order to help physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and a wide range of other allied health...
6. Network Support Fundamentals
Dive into the realm of network support with the Network Support Fundamentals course. This online course is meticulously designed to introduce you to the essential skills needed for supporting enterprise networks - one of the most in-demand skill sets in the digital landscape. By the end of this course you will be able to explain network security basics, monitor network performance, and provide essential professional support. Ideal for beginners aiming for an entry-level IT career or current IT...
7. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...
8. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp
Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Professionals...
9. Creating Behavioral Change
In this course you will learn about understanding and changing mental and physical health behavior. We will examine both the historical context and the current science. Major topics will include fundamental behavioral principles and basic elements of empirically supported individual treatments (e.g., motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapies). Lectures and examples will illustrate both the theory and the practice of evidence-based approaches to behavior change. You will engage...
10. Evaluation of Digital Health Interventions
This course focuses on data, evaluation methods and the economic evaluation of digital health interventions. This module focuses on key data considerations for digital health including data management, data visualisation and methods for evaluating digital health interventions. The key focus is on experimental and quasi-experimental design approaches that can be applied to evaluating digital health interventions and key considerations for the economic evaluation of digital health interventions...
11. IT Support Technical Skills Helpdesk
Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Learners...
12. 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...
13. IT & Technical Support Guide to Helpdesk, Desktop & Servers
Learn how the different levels of IT technical support work, from service desk to infrastructure and server support...
14. Anger Management & Conflict Resolution Program - (4 hours)
How to manage anger and ensure it does not explode into rage. Enhance your life by building quality relationships...
15. Introduction to Business Support System - BSS
Learn about business support system employed in telecom domain...
16. Conflict Resolution for Co-Workers
You'll learn diagnosis and resolution techniques for tense, sensitive conflicts with your co-workers, manager or peers...
17. Desktop IT Support Level 1 & 2 in real life (Troubleshooting
Learn everything in real life Troubleshooting for IT Help Desk , Helpdesk , IT Support , System Administration and IT...
18. Computer Network Fundamentals- IT Helpdesk & Desktop Support
Learn the basic fundamentals of computer networking & OSI model for desktop support and IT service desk technicians...
19. 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)...
20. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
Top 10 most affordable universities for therapeutic support staff
The most affordable schools for therapeutic support staff 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 therapeutic support staff 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 therapeutic support staff.
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. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
9. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
10. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for therapeutic support staff
The hardest universities for therapeutic support staff to get into are Boston University, Northwestern University, and Washington University in St Louis.
Some great schools for therapeutic support staff 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 therapeutic support staff 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
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
4. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
5. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
7. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
8. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
9. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,367
10. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
Admissions rate
49%
SAT average
1,347
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for therapeutic support staff
The easiest schools for therapeutic support staff to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, wayland baptist university, and university of north texas at dallas.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a therapeutic support staff 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 therapeutic support staff.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
3. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
4. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
5. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
6. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
7. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
8. Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA • Private
Admissions rate
95%
SAT average
980
9. Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,059
10. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
Average therapeutic support staff salary by education level
| Therapeutic support staff education level | Therapeutic support staff salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $38,250 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $33,273 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $36,051 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $33,419 |
Therapeutic support staff education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common community and social services questions.
Search for therapeutic support staff jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025