Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Youth specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a youth specialist. Youth specialists usually study criminal justice, psychology, or social work. 63% of youth specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 6,091 real youth specialist resumes to see exactly what youth specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for youth specialists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online youth specialist courses to help get the education required to be a youth specialist.
There are certain youth specialist certifications that you should consider. These youth specialist certifications include First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor and Certified Criminal Justice Specialist (CCJS).
What education do you need to become a youth specialist?
What degree do you need to be a youth specialist?
- Bachelor's, 63%
- Associate, 17%
- Master's, 9%
- High School Diploma, 7%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a youth specialist?
- Criminal Justice, 26%
- Psychology, 18%
- Social Work, 11%
- Business, 6%
- Other Majors, 39%
Most common colleges for youth specialists
| Youth specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 9.33% |
| Western Michigan University | 8.83% |
| Ferris State University | 7.34% |
| Wayne State University | 6.47% |
| Michigan State University | 6.34% |
Best majors for youth specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Criminal Justice | 25.5% |
| 2 | Psychology | 18.5% |
| 3 | Social Work | 11.0% |
| 4 | Business | 6.4% |
| 5 | Sociology | 6.4% |
Best colleges for youth specialists
The best colleges for youth specialists are Northwestern University, Boston University, and New York University.
A youth 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 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 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 specialists
Advertising disclosure
1. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
2. [Accredited] Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Counselor
Learn DBT in depth, start conducting sessions with ready to use templates, and set up counseling practice within weeks!...
3. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
4. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...
5. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...
6. Existential Therapy, Psychotherapy & Counselling
Helping Individuals to Live Meaningful, Free & Authentic Lives...
7. Mindfulness for Mental Health, Personal Growth & Inner Peace
The essential guide to cultivating positive mental health, practicing mindfulness, and advancing your personal growth...
8. 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...
9. Managing mental health issues in the workplace
Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...
10. Couples Counselling using Systemic Family Therapy
Help people build stronger relationships and marriages by learning couples counselling skills...
11. How to Help Family Members or Friends with Mental Illness
Practical Counseling Skills to help children, family or friends with Depression, Anxiety, or Other Mental Illness...
12. 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)...
13. 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)...
14. Active Directory & Group Policy Administration for IT Techs
Active Directory & Group Policy Administration Basics for Helpdesk and Desktop / IT Support Technicians...
15. Conflict Resolution in Leadership and Talent Management
You'll learn diagnosis and resolution techniques for tense, sensitive conflicts with your team members/reports...
16. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate
Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...
17. Person-Centred Counselling Certificate
Learn the fundamentals of how counselling and psychotherapy work, and how to use counselling skills...
18. Abnormal Behavior & Clinical Psychology (Certificate)
Guiding students into the field of mental health services for either personal and/or professional development...
19. PowerShell for Active Directory Administrators
Use Power Shell to manage Active Directory users, computer, groups, security settings and more on Windows Server...
20. CBT and Positive Psychology: Your Journey to Happiness
Cognitive Behavior Therapy CBT Happiness Success Mental Health Personal Transformation Emotional Intelligence...
Top 10 most affordable universities for youth specialists
The most affordable schools for youth specialists are California State University - Bakersfield, california state university - long beach, and california state university - fullerton.
If the best universities for youth 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 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 specialists
The hardest universities for youth specialists to get into are Northwestern University, Boston University, and New York University.
Some great schools for youth 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 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 specialists
The easiest schools for youth 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 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 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 specialist salary by education level
| Youth specialist education level | Youth specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $40,577 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $34,144 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $37,708 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $34,329 |
Youth specialist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common community and social services questions.
Search for youth specialist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025