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Youth services specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a youth services specialist. Youth services specialists usually study criminal justice, psychology, or sociology. 66% of youth services specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 887 real youth services specialist resumes to see exactly what youth services specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for youth services specialists are the Clarion University of Pennsylvania and the Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
There are also many online youth services specialist courses to help get the education required to be a youth services specialist.
There are certain youth services specialist certifications that you should consider. These youth services specialist certifications include First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).
What education do you need to become a youth services specialist?
What degree do you need to be a youth services specialist?
- Bachelor's, 66%
- Associate, 15%
- Master's, 10%
- High School Diploma, 7%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a youth services specialist?
- Criminal Justice, 25%
- Psychology, 16%
- Sociology, 8%
- Social Work, 8%
- Other Majors, 43%
Most common colleges for youth services specialists
| Youth services specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Clarion University of Pennsylvania | 14.05% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 12.40% |
| Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania | 9.92% |
| Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania | 7.44% |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | 5.79% |
Best majors for youth services specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Criminal Justice | 25.4% |
| 2 | Psychology | 16.2% |
| 3 | Sociology | 8.1% |
| 4 | Social Work | 7.7% |
| 5 | Business | 7.2% |
Best colleges for youth services specialists
The best colleges for youth services specialists are Northwestern University, Boston University, and New York University.
A youth services 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 youth services 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 youth services specialists.
1. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
2. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Enrollment
13,871
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
5. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
6. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
7. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
8. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
9. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Enrollment
34,637
10. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
20 best online courses for youth services specialists
Advertising disclosure
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2. Health for All Through Primary Health Care
This course explores why primary health care is central for achieving Health for All. It provides examples of how primary health care has been instrumental in approaching this goal in selected populations and how the principles of primary health care can guide future policies and actions. Two of the most inspiring, least understood, and most often derided terms in global health discourse are “Health for All” and “Primary Health Care.” In this course, we will explore these terms in the context...
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4. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...
5. Social Policy for Social Services & Health Practitioners
In the U.S., social policy accounts for two-thirds of government spending. Knowing how policies are constructed, what values underlie them, and how they succeed or fail makes everyone more effective at work or in their civic role. This specialization includes an HONORS track in which learners will complete a professional social policy analysis.\n\nTeachers, health care workers, police, and social workers interact with policy daily, but all of us should care about the impact and effectiveness of...
6. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care
This course presents basic principles of cancer survivorship to primary-care physicians. Developed by a team of experts in caring for cancer survivors, and narrated by a primary-care physician, this course provides practical tips and tools that can be easily integrated into medical practice. You will learn about the complex physical and psychosocial needs and concerns of the growing number of cancer survivors, along with the key role that primary care physicians have in guiding these patients...
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Active Directory & Group Policy Administration Basics for Helpdesk and Desktop / IT Support Technicians...
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. Project Charter Specialist (Accredited) Project Management
What is Project Charter? Components? Template? Example? Document Project Charter? Project Charter Specialist Earn PDUs...
14. Azure Active Directory Masterclass
Learn to be a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on Azure Active Directory...
15. Cat Behavior Rectification & Cat Health Care: 2 courses in 1
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16. Certified Lean Specialist Lean Management (Accredited)
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18. Abnormal Behavior & Clinical Psychology (Certificate)
Guiding students into the field of mental health services for either personal and/or professional development...
19. Managing mental health issues in the workplace
Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...
20. Self-Care Life Coach Certification (Boundary Setting)
Empower Your Life Coach Your Clients to Develop Self-Care, Self-Love, Boundary Setting and How to Say No...
Top 10 most affordable universities for youth services specialists
The most affordable schools for youth services specialists are California State University - Bakersfield, california state university - long beach, and california state university - fullerton.
If the best universities for youth services 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 youth services specialists.
1. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
4. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
5. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
6. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
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. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for youth services specialists
The hardest universities for youth services specialists to get into are Northwestern University, Boston University, and New York University.
Some great schools for youth services 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 youth services 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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
3. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
6. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
7. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
Admissions rate
49%
SAT average
1,347
8. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
9. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
10. Fordham University
Bronx, NY • Private
Admissions rate
46%
SAT average
1,354
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for youth services specialists
The easiest schools for youth services specialists 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 youth services 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 youth services specialists.
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. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
9. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
10. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
Average youth services specialist salary by education level
| Youth services specialist education level | Youth services specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $45,206 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $36,828 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $41,436 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $37,066 |
Youth services specialist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025