The demand for medical writing professionals is growing significantly. So, too is the supply of individuals with advanced biomedical and life science degrees looking for careers outside academia. Given these facts, an Advisory Board of seasoned medical writing professionals has guided the development of a Medical Writing Certificate program at the University of California, San Diego. The program is designed to provide graduates with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to work as a medical writer in the commercial sector, government agencies and/or academia. The certificate will equip scientists and others with a strong biomedical and/or life sciences background to write specifically for scientific audiences.
Certificate Benefits
- The certificate prepares students to secure well-paying positions as medical writers in four distinct specialty areas:
- Continuing Medical Education materials
- Scientific Grants
- Regulatory Documentation
- Journal Article and Publication Development
- Medical writing offers a rewarding and intellectually stimulating career, with six-figure salaries for senior writers
- Many medical writers manage their own freelance businesses
Scientific Medical Writing vs. Non-Scientific Medical Writing
The program is not designed for those intending to communicate scientific information to lay audiences, e.g., science journalism, marketing communications or patient communications. This program is designed to equip scientists and others with a strong biomedical and/or life sciences background to write for scientific audiences in peer-reviewed journals, regulatory documents, medical education materials and/or research grant proposals.
Who should take the certificate?
Accepted applicants will have graduate degrees in biomedical or life sciences, such as biology, chemistry, pharmacy, nursing, nutrition, medicine or public health. PhDs are particularly competitive for medical writing positions in the commercial sector and academic settings.
Demand and Job Prospects
- Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for Technical Writers in Healthcare is projected to grow nearly 27% from 2012 to 2022.
- According to the most recent American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) data, increases in medical writers’ salaries were more than double the rate of inflation and increased with certification.
- Medical writing offers a rewarding and intellectually stimulating career, with six-figure salaries for senior writers.
- Many medical writers manage their own freelance businesses.
- Few Biology PhDs on university campuses will secure a faculty position or campus laboratory; medical writing provides an alternative well-paying career.
Industry Certification
The Medical Writing Certificate program helps prepare students for the Medical Writing Certification Examination developed by Medical Writing Certification Commission (MWCC) in collaboration with the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA). For more information about the certification exam, see
https://www.amwa.org/page/MWC.
- Number of courses: 5 core courses and 8 units of electives
- Total units: 22
- Estimated cost: $4,000 +/-
- Time to Complete: 18 months for most
- Delivery: fully online
Before You Enroll
Upon acceptance into the Medical Writing Certificate Program, you must complete the prerequisite courses listed below before enrolling in the first course
Introduction to Medical Writing. If you would like to request a waiver of completion for these prerequisite courses, please send your transcripts, CV, and/or resume to Robert Houghtaling at rhoughtaling@ucsd.edu to be considered.
Non-Native English speakers must provide proof of English language competency via either a score of 90 on the iBT (TOEFL) test or a 7.5 on the IELTS test.
Course Expectations
In order to receive your certificate, you must complete
all of the required coursework with a
B-/80% or higher.
APPLY NOW
APPLICATION FEE: $25
There will be a $95 fee upon acceptance into the program