Home/
Medical Writing Degree Programs
Medical Writing Degree Programs
Aspiring medical writers can enroll in a graduate program specializing in medical writing or a related field. Find out how you can prepare for this type of program and learn about career opportunities and additional resources available to medical writers.
What Degree Programs in Medical Writing are Available?
Many master's degree programs are available in fields related to medical writing. These graduate programs usually take around two years to complete and are offered in areas such as science journalism, medical writing and biomedical writing. Master's-level medical writing programs may be offered on-campus or online, and the faculty of these programs often consists of professional medical writers.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Program Availability</b></td><td> Master's degree programs in medical writing and related fields are available on-campus and online</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Admission Requirements</b></td><td> Bachelor's degree in a science- or writing-related field</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Career Options</b></td><td> Reporter for trade or medical magazine, writer for medical catalogue, freelance medical writer</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Additional Resources</b></td><td> Continuing education courses, certification, certificate programs, networking opportunities and career services are available through the AMWA</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td>$74,650* (<i>for all technical writers</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-29)</b></td><td>7% growth* (<i>for all technical writers</i>)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---AreThereAnyPrerequisites">Are There Any Prerequisites?</h3><p>In order to begin your career as a medical writer, you will need to obtain a college-level education. As an undergraduate student, you may choose to earn your bachelor's degree in a science-based program, such as biology, or you may wish to take a more creative route and earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English with an emphasis in creative writing.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatTypesOfJobsCanIGet">What Types of Jobs Can I Get?</h3><p>Medical writers provide coverage to technological, medical and scientific industries, and you can take either a more journalistic or technical approach with your writing style. As a medical writer, you are responsible for covering medical trade shows and scientific and technological breakthroughs in the medical field. You could find work as a reporter for a medical or trade magazine, or you could write product descriptions for medical equipment catalogues. You could also work as a freelance writer or staff writer for a magazine or website. Common employers and places of employment for medical writers include the following:
</p><ul><li>Healthcare facilities
</li><li>News stations
</li><li>Laboratories
</li><li>Trade publications
</li><li>Research facilities
</li><li>Pharmaceutical companies
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatResourcesCanAssistMeWithMyCareer">What Resources Can Assist Me with My Career?</h3><p>Professional courses can help keep you up-to-date on industry news in the medical field, and you can earn additional certification or certificates in the process. The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) is a professional organization that offers continuing education courses and certificate programs; it also offers workshops and conferences to professional medical writers, as well as job services, membership and networking opportunities.</p>
