Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Wellness specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a wellness specialist. Wellness specialists usually study kinesiology, business, or psychology. 71% of wellness specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,215 real wellness specialist resumes to see exactly what wellness specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for wellness specialists are the Grand Valley State University and the Grand Valley State University.
There are also many online wellness specialist courses to help get the education required to be a wellness specialist.
There are certain wellness specialist certifications that you should consider. These wellness specialist certifications include Certified Personal Trainer and Medical Assistant.
What education do you need to become a wellness specialist?
What degree do you need to be a wellness specialist?
- Bachelor's, 71%
- Master's, 16%
- Associate, 8%
- High School Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a wellness specialist?
- Kinesiology, 34%
- Business, 8%
- Psychology, 8%
- Health Education, 7%
- Other Majors, 43%
Most common colleges for wellness specialists
| Wellness specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Grand Valley State University | 9.15% |
| University of Phoenix | 9.15% |
| University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point | 7.32% |
| University of Wisconsin Colleges | 6.10% |
| University of Northern Colorado | 4.88% |
Best majors for wellness specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kinesiology | 34.3% |
| 2 | Business | 8.0% |
| 3 | Psychology | 7.5% |
| 4 | Health Education | 7.1% |
| 5 | Public Health Education | 5.0% |
Best colleges for wellness specialists
The best colleges for wellness specialists are University of Tulsa, Northeastern University, and University of Virginia.
A wellness 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 wellness 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 wellness specialists.
1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
2. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$54,104
Enrollment
7,089
3. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
7. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
8. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,306
Enrollment
6,975
9. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Enrollment
34,564
10. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
20 best online courses for wellness specialists
Advertising disclosure
1. Health Care Delivery in Healthcare Organizations
Have you ever needed health care and thought that there must be better ways to get or deliver health care? For example, have you found yourself thinking that there should be a way to get a diagnostic test or treatment at home? Or do you work in a healthcare organization and find yourself thinking that there must be better ways to deliver health care? If you have, this course is for you. Course content includes an overview of health care delivery including healthcare consumerism, the patient's...
2. Health Coaching Certification Holistic Wellness Health Coach
Health Coaching Practitioner Course Graduates Prepared Health Coaching Specialists in Holistic Wellness Health Coaching...
3. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Health & Wellness
Learn about holistic health, wellness, key biomarkers, good sleep and ways to optimize your health...
4. 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)...
5. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate
Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...
6. The Complete Fitness & Health Masterclass - 21 Courses in 1
The Most Comprehensive Masterclass to Improve Your Mind, Body and Health - Start Growing Today!...
7. Health and Nutrition Life Coach Certification (Accredited)
Life Coaching: Create a Workout & Nutrition Plan Based on Your Clients' Fitness, Weight Loss, Dieting & Nutrition Goals...
8. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
9. Managing mental health issues in the workplace
Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...
10. Vegan Nutrition Health Coach Certification
Become a Vegan Nutrition Certified Health Coach, Learn Vegan Cooking, Embrace a Holistic Approach to Food...
11. Holistic Health and Wellness Coaching Certificate Course
Earn income doing what you LOVE - helping people - from the comfort of your home (beginner to advanced)...
12. Workplace Mental Health: A Manager's Ultimate Guide
How to manage mental health in the workplace to boost productivity and be the best boss!...
13. Cognitive Psychology for Positive Mental Health and Wellness
Optimise your mental health and reduce stress by mastering the key concepts of Cognitive Behavioural Psychology (CBP)...
14. Health Masterclass: How To Transform Your Health & Life
Master The 3 Surprising Steps That Can Finally Transform Your Health In The Next 30 Days...
15. The 5 Element Theory: How to Enhance Health and Healing
Learn How the 5 Element Theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine Can Enhance Your Health, Healing and Well Being...
16. 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...
17. Health And Wellness Coaching Certification (CPD Accredited)
Become A Health And Wellness Coach Online: Create Fat Loss Meal Plans, Build A Coaching Business & Be A Health Expert...
18. Mental Health and Neuroplasticity: Change your Brain
10 Alternatives to Medication to Improve Mental Health - Research backed treatments for Depression and Anxiety...
19. Mindfulness for Mental Health, Personal Growth & Inner Peace
The essential guide to cultivating positive mental health, practicing mindfulness, and advancing your personal growth...
20. Superfoods, Herbalism, Nutrition Basics and Your Health
Eat For Success. Discover Nutrition Basics For Optimal Performance and Weight Loss...
Top 10 most affordable universities for wellness specialists
The most affordable schools for wellness specialists are SUNY Farmingdale, brigham young university, and university of florida.
If the best universities for wellness 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 wellness specialists.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
3. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
4. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
5. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
6. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
9. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
10. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for wellness specialists
The hardest universities for wellness specialists to get into are University of Tulsa, Northeastern University, and University of Virginia.
Some great schools for wellness 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 wellness 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. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
2. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
3. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
Admissions rate
26%
SAT average
1,427
4. Clemson University
Clemson, SC • Private
Admissions rate
47%
SAT average
1,337
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
6. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,456
7. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,309
8. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,449
9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,434
10. Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,304
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for wellness specialists
The easiest schools for wellness specialists to get into are Wayland Baptist University, felician university, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a wellness 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 wellness specialists.
1. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
2. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
5. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
6. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
7. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
8. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
9. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
10. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
Average wellness specialist salary by education level
| Wellness specialist education level | Wellness specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $49,621 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $40,857 |
| Doctorate Degree | $56,912 |
Wellness specialist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common executive management questions.
Search for wellness specialist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025