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Victim advocate education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a victim advocate. Victim advocates usually study psychology, criminal justice, or social work. 65% of victim advocates hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 4,989 real victim advocate resumes to see exactly what victim advocate education sections show.
The most common colleges for victim advocates are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online victim advocate courses to help get the education required to be a victim advocate.
What education do you need to become a victim advocate?
What degree do you need to be a victim advocate?
- Bachelor's, 65%
- Associate, 16%
- Master's, 14%
- High School Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a victim advocate?
- Psychology, 22%
- Criminal Justice, 21%
- Social Work, 14%
- Sociology, 7%
- Other Majors, 36%
Most common colleges for victim advocates
| Victim advocate common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 14.79% |
| University of North Florida | 6.84% |
| Florida State University | 6.40% |
| Troy University | 5.96% |
| University of Central Florida | 5.30% |
Best majors for victim advocates
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 21.9% |
| 2 | Criminal Justice | 20.5% |
| 3 | Social Work | 14.1% |
| 4 | Sociology | 6.9% |
| 5 | Human Services | 5.3% |
Best colleges for victim advocates
The best colleges for victim advocates are Boston University, Northwestern University, and SUNY at Binghamton.
A victim advocate with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for victim advocates. 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 victim advocates.
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 victim advocates
Advertising disclosure
1. International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes
‘Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes’ is the second course in Leiden University’s new series on International Law in Action. The first course covered international courts and tribunals in The Hague in general. This second course provides an insider perspective into the work of international criminal courts and tribunals. You will learn about the investigation and prosecution of international crimes in The Hague. Atrocities produce unspeakable forms of violence. We will explore...
2. ERPO: A Civil Approach to Gun Violence Prevention Teach-Out
Evidence shows that 1 life is saved for every 10-20 Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) issued. ERPOs are legally issued civil orders that allow people on the front lines to ask a court to prevent a person at imminent risk of harm to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing firearms during a critical period of risk. As of October 2020, ERPO laws have been enacted by nineteen states and the District of Columbia and while some aspects differ by state, the general process for applying...
3. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
4. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
5. Crisis Communications
Crisis Communications is designed to empower professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively navigate and respond to crisis situations through interviews...
6. Foundational Skills for Communicating About Health
Effective communication is a core skill that nearly every health professional will need and use during their careers. Yet, few health professionals receive even basic training in how to design communications to be clear and successful. As “foundational skills,” the content in this course can be applied to both oral and written communication, within and beyond health. Learners will develop the skills to: analyze and tailor a communication effort for different audiences, develop clear messages,...
7. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...
8. Cryptocurrency Financial Crime Compliance Bootcamp
Blockchain/Crypto Financial Crime Money Laundering Terrorist Financing AML & CTF Regulation Compliance Tools...
9. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate
Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...
10. Effective Legal Office Administration
Effective Legal Office Administration...
11. Providing Trauma-Informed Care
Exploring psychological trauma and how to provide care and compassion to trauma survivors...
12. Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications
Public Relations: You Can Shape and Control Your Media Messages at The Worst Possible Times...
13. Legal English
Legal language and communication skills...
14. 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)...
15. Managing mental health issues in the workplace
Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...
16. How Hackers Create Malware and Infiltrate Victim Machines
Learn How To Build Malware Step By Step and Understand How Hackers Create Malware...
17. ISO 45001. Occupational health & safety management system
Upgrate your health and safety career by understanding the requriements for an OH & S management system from ISO 45001...
18. Cyber Crime Analyst Part 1
Types of Cyber Crime...
19. 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...
20. Financial Crime: Processes & Technology - Masterclass
Develop practitioner level skills in AML, CTF, KYC, PEP, Identity, Sanctions and Fraud processes and technology...
Top 10 most affordable universities for victim advocates
The most affordable schools for victim advocates 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 victim advocates 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 victim advocates.
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 victim advocates
The hardest universities for victim advocates to get into are Boston University, Northwestern University, and SUNY at Binghamton.
Some great schools for victim advocates 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 victim advocates 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. 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 victim advocates
The easiest schools for victim advocates 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 victim advocate 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 victim advocates.
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 victim advocate salary by education level
| Victim advocate education level | Victim advocate salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $43,919 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $37,602 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $41,115 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $37,786 |
Victim advocate education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common community and social services questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025