Case Specialists: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of case specialists about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for case specialists to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of case specialists expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for case specialists.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Case Specialists?
Do case specialists need a degree? What kind of experience do case specialists typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for case specialists to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Case Specialists
Jobs Postings for Case Specialists By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 5,833 (58%)
- No Education Listed: 1,659 (17%)
- High School or GED: 1,561 (16%)
- Master's degree: 748 (7%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 186 (2%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of case specialists. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 58% of positions. In 17% of job listings no education level was listed and in 16% of postings a High School diploma or GED was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Case Specialists
Jobs Postings for Case Specialists By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 911 (26%)
- 2-3 Years: 1,492 (43%)
- 4-6 Years: 822 (24%)
- 7-9 Years: 38 (1%)
- 10+ Years: 197 (6%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for case specialists. In 43% of job postings for Case Specialists, employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience. In 26% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 24% of job postings for case specialists.
What Kind of Degree Do Case Specialists Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for case specialists, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 5 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective case specialists, and in 2021 a total of 118,236 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective case specialists.
Top Degree Programs for Case Specialists
Top 5 Degree Programs for Case Specialists (2021)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Social Work. | 56,801 |
| Criminal Justice/Safety Studies. | 46,381 |
| Criminology. | 10,904 |
| Corrections. | 4,039 |
| Juvenile Corrections. | 111 |
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Degree Options for Case Specialists
Maintain social order and earn credentials for a leadership role in police, corrections, security, or court administration.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Acquire specialized knowledge while developing a holistic view of the criminal justice system.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 6
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Tackle critical issues facing individuals and communities with advanced leadership and management skills ideally suited for a complex criminal justice system.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Case Specialists Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by case specialists to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for case specialists, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Case Specialists
Based on 8,459 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Case Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Probation | 5,778 | 68% |
| Social Work | 3,361 | 40% |
| Criminal Corrections | 2,767 | 33% |
| Case Management | 2,726 | 32% |
| Psychology | 2,594 | 31% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Case Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation | 3,454 | 41% |
| Communications | 2,926 | 35% |
| Management | 2,711 | 32% |
| Writing | 1,610 | 19% |
| Report Writing | 1,488 | 18% |
Based on 8,459 job postings related to case specialists, probation was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 68% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for social work, criminal corrections, case management, psychology and law enforcement were also highly sought.
As for common skills, investigation was the most desired skill found in job postings for case specialists, followed by communications, management, writing, report writing and planning.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Probation | 5,778 | 68% |
| Social Work | 3,361 | 40% |
| Criminal Corrections | 2,767 | 33% |
| Case Management | 2,726 | 32% |
| Psychology | 2,594 | 31% |
| Law Enforcement | 2,035 | 24% |
| Sociology | 1,948 | 23% |
| Legal Hearings | 1,791 | 21% |
| Human Services | 1,659 | 20% |
| Mental Health | 1,549 | 18% |
| Evidence-Based Practice | 1,446 | 17% |
| Substance Abuse | 1,372 | 16% |
| Risk Analysis | 1,292 | 15% |
| Data Analysis | 1,102 | 13% |
| Juvenile Justice | 1,089 | 13% |
| Criminology | 1,074 | 13% |
| Behavioral Science | 828 | 10% |
| Crisis Intervention | 785 | 9% |
| Social Sciences | 727 | 9% |
| Rehabilitation | 674 | 8% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation | 3,454 | 41% |
| Communications | 2,926 | 35% |
| Management | 2,711 | 32% |
| Writing | 1,610 | 19% |
| Report Writing | 1,488 | 18% |
| Planning | 1,359 | 16% |
| Information Gathering | 1,247 | 15% |
| Operations | 1,140 | 13% |
| Multilingualism | 1,133 | 13% |
| Coordinating | 932 | 11% |
| Microsoft Office | 879 | 10% |
| Microsoft Excel | 844 | 10% |
| Problem Solving | 793 | 9% |
| Leadership | 754 | 9% |
| Microsoft Outlook | 702 | 8% |
| Accountability | 657 | 8% |
| Time Management | 654 | 8% |
| Research | 586 | 7% |
| Customer Service | 545 | 6% |
| Ethical Standards And Conduct | 544 | 6% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about case specialists? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for case specialists.
What do case specialists do?
How much do case specialists make?
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