Good daycare providers have built a solid reputation as honest and ethical people. After all, who would want to leave their small children with somebody they couldn’t trust?

Individual states and institutions set minimum educational requirements for daycare employees. Most daycare workers hold at least a high school diploma. Many caregivers, however, possess a post-secondary background in early childhood education. 

Employers often value a vocational certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree. Having one can lead to better job prospects, expanded responsibilities, and greater pay.

Many in this profession obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA). This nationally recognized credential involves coursework, hands-on experience with children, and a period of being observed by a reviewer. The CDA must be renewed every three years.

Public scrutiny of this profession has increased dramatically in recent years. Still, more than half of the population holds a positive view of police officers in terms of honesty and ethical behavior.

Individuals wishing to pursue this career should receive instruction at a police academy. The program lasts about six months and covers subjects such as state and local laws, the Constitution, civil rights, and police ethics. On-the-job training follows graduation. 

States set minimum requirements to get into a police academy. The educational component for admission is often 30 college credits. Many candidates possess either an Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Other requirements include U.S. citizenship, being age 21 or older, physical fitness, and no felony convictions.

Entrusted with a great deal of responsibility and power, military leaders should display honorable conduct that reflects well on the nation they represent. On the basis of the Gallup Poll, six out of ten citizens view officers as doing an above-average job of upholding these standards.

The military requires a high school diploma to enlist. Those aspiring to officer positions, however, usually need a bachelor’s degree. Some obtain their degree at one of the federal service academies. Others enroll in regular colleges and join the campus’s ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) program. In addition to educational requirements, officers need to be U.S. citizens, pass a background check, and meet physical and age requirements.

The military provides multiple opportunities to have your education covered, from the ROTC program, GI bill for military and veteran students, and military tuition assistance.

Each military branch operates its own Officer Candidate School (OSC) to further instruct up-and-coming leaders. These programs last 10-17 weeks and cover areas such as leadership, management, physical training, military culture, and military law.

Military pay depends on numerous factors, including rank, time in service, location of duty, and job specialty. Newly commissioned officers earn a base pay of around $38,250. They also receive housing and food allowances plus benefits such as health insurance.

Charged with important tasks such as accurately filling prescriptions, conveying information on how to take medicine properly, and performing vaccinations, it is reassuring that nearly two out of three people think well of the honesty and ethical standards of pharmacists.

Earning the degree necessary to practice pharmacy typically takes six to eight years of post-secondary study. Many students complete a four-year bachelor’s degree program in a related subject such as chemistry, biology, or physics. 

Then, they enroll in an accredited four-year Pharm.D. program. Other students pursue four years of pharmacy school after only two or three years of undergraduate studies. Pharmacology, toxicology, public health, and medical ethics are among the subjects commonly covered in pharmacy school. 

After graduation, prospective pharmacists must pass two exams to receive their state license. They also need to meet state standards for the completion of internship hours.

Bachelor’s or higher, plus state-issued certification if employed in a public school

Responsible for many of our earliest lessons on honesty and upholding principles, it seems fitting that elementary instructors hold a high ranking in this poll. And over the past year or so, remote learning has provided plenty of opportunities to witness the integrity of teachers once again.

The most common route to grade-school teaching is earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, which takes four years of full-time study. Student teaching is an important component of such programs. It provides practical experience valued by employers and necessary for state certification. 

Many employers favor candidates with a Master’s Degree in Education or who are open to pursuing one. Individuals holding a bachelor’s degree in a discipline outside of education who decide they want to teach often go back to school to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). 

Medical Doctor (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) plus state licensure.

When it comes to our health, we want to know that the person we trust with our well-being acts in a responsible, ethical manner. Fortunately, two out of three people think physicians live up to these standards.

The long educational journey of doctors starts with four years of study to earn a bachelor’s degree. While they can select any major, many choose disciplines such as biology, chemistry, psychology, or follow a pre-med path.

Undergraduate studies prepare them to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and begin the competitive process of getting into medical school. Those accepted spend four years acquiring a solid foundation in medicine (and medical ethics) through classroom studies, labs, and clinical experiences. 

After graduation, they hone their skills in a specific area through internship and residency programs. This stage of training lasts three to nine years, depending on the specialty. Some go on to fellowships of one to three years to perfect a subspecialization.

Associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree plus a state-issued license.

With the importance of nurses coming into full view during the COVID-19 pandemic, it comes as little surprise that these compassionate essential workers landed the top spot. But, this is far from the only time nurses ranked first. They’ve held this top honor for 20 straight years!

Nursing careers begin with earning an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). Classes cover topics such as anatomy, psychology, and physiology. Supervised clinical experience is a major part of training to become a nurse since it provides hands-on practice performing various job-related tasks.

Becoming a registered nurse involves passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) after graduating from an approved nursing program. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses earned a median salary of $75,330 in 2020. Some registered nurses go on to earn their graduate degrees. This further training and education prepare them for jobs with greater responsibilities.