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Water treatment specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a water treatment specialist. Water treatment specialists usually study business, criminal justice, or general studies. 34% of water treatment specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 31% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 1,448 real water treatment specialist resumes to see exactly what water treatment specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for water treatment specialists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online water treatment specialist courses to help get the education required to be a water treatment specialist.

There are certain water treatment specialist certifications that you should consider. These water treatment specialist certifications include Water Treatment Operator Class I and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).

What education do you need to become a water treatment specialist?

What degree do you need to be a water treatment specialist?

The most common degree for water treatment specialists is bachelor's degree, with 34% of water treatment specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 31% and high school diploma degree at 21%.
  • Bachelor's, 34%
  • High School Diploma, 31%
  • Associate, 21%
  • Diploma, 7%
  • Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a water treatment specialist?

You should major in business to become a water treatment specialist. 18% of water treatment specialists major in business. Other common majors for a water treatment specialist include criminal justice and general studies.

Most common colleges for water treatment specialists

Water treatment specialists often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Ashford University, and American University. Here are the most common colleges for water treatment specialists in the US based on their resumes.
Water treatment specialist common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix9.59%
Ashford University9.59%
American University5.48%
University of the Virgin Islands5.48%
Grantham University5.48%

Best majors for water treatment specialists

Best colleges for water treatment specialists

The best colleges for water treatment specialists are Boston University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

A water treatment specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for water treatment specialists. 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 water treatment specialists.

1. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

2. University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Lafayette, LA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,912

Enrollment

14,245

3. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,570

Enrollment

3,721

4. Sacred Heart University

Fairfield, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$41,420

Enrollment

5,907

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

6. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

7. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

8. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

9. Siena Heights University

Adrian, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$27,124

Enrollment

2,035

10. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Enrollment

23,708

20 best online courses for water treatment specialists

Advertising disclosure

1. Sustainable Urban Water Systems

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The MOOC “Sustainable Urban Water Systems” aims to provide knowledge about modern and sustainable solutions for urban water management in water-sensitive cities. The focus is on stormwater control and water supply strategies for the mitigation of effects on the water cycles due to human settlements and climate change. In particular, the integration of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into urban drainage systems, the use of alternative water resources, and the reduction of losses and waste, make...

2. Education on climate change: water and soil

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This course delves into the connection between water, climate change, and how living organisms adapt to these shifts. It also explores concepts related to agriculture, food, and food sovereignty. Additionally, it introduces a range of online games that enhance the integration and practical application of the developing conceptual knowledge...

3. Design of Water Treatment Systems for Beginners

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Learn how to fully design a water treatment system for small to medium scale projects...

4. Water Treatment Process Design

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design water treatment& RO/NF plants, sand& multimedia filter, iron& manganese removal filter, Ion exchange DI& softener...

5. Climate Change and Water in Mountains: A Global Concern

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What is climate change ? How are mountain regions affected by the evolution of water resources and their uses ? What kind of risks need to be considered ? Mountains are recognized as particularly sensitive physical environments where intense and rapid changes have in the past, and may increasingly in the future, place pressure on their resource base. In this context, a team of roughly 100 experts worked from 2008 to 2013 for the European ACQWA project (www.acqwa.ch) which was coordinated by the...

6. Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers

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This course is designed with a singular goal: to improve the care you provide to your patients with substance use disorders. By delving into a model case performed by actors, seven Yale instructors from various fields provide techniques to screen your patients for substance use disorder risk, diagnose patients to gauge the severity of their use, directly manage treatment plans, refer out to treatment services, and navigate the various conditions that may limit your patient’s access to treatment...

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13. HACCP-Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point Certification

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Food Safety Preventive Approach (HACCP System)...

14. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors

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19. Inventory Management: Safety Stock Calculation and Control

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20. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

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Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

Top 10 most affordable universities for water treatment specialists

The most affordable schools for water treatment specialists are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and usf sarasota-manatee.

If the best universities for water treatment specialists 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 water treatment specialists.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

7. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

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 water treatment specialists

The hardest universities for water treatment specialists to get into are Boston University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for water treatment specialists 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 water treatment specialists 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. 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 Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

5. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

6. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

7. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,415

8. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

Admissions rate

50%

SAT average

1,284

9. University of Denver

Denver, CO • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,300

10. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for water treatment specialists

The easiest schools for water treatment specialists to get into are Notre Dame College, nyack college, and gwynedd mercy university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a water treatment specialist 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 water treatment specialists.

1. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

2. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

3. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

4. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

5. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

6. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

7. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

8. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

9. Manor College

Jenkintown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

898

10. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

Average water treatment specialist salary by education level

Water treatment specialists with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $60,268 annually. With a Associate degree, water treatment specialists earn a median annual income of $59,389 compared to $52,264 for water treatment specialists with an High School Diploma degree.
Water treatment specialist education levelWater treatment specialist salary
High School Diploma or Less$52,264
Bachelor's Degree$60,268
Some College/ Associate Degree$59,389

Water treatment specialist 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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