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Health science writer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a health science writer. Health science writers usually study journalism, biology, or nursing. 69% of health science writers hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 174 real health science writer resumes to see exactly what health science writer education sections show.

The most common colleges for health science writers are the Ball State University and the Ball State University.

There are also many online health science writer courses to help get the education required to be a health science writer.

What education do you need to become a health science writer?

What degree do you need to be a health science writer?

The most common degree for health science writers is bachelor's degree, with 69% of health science writers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 18% and master's degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 69%
  • Master's, 18%
  • Associate, 7%
  • Doctorate, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a health science writer?

You should major in journalism to become a health science writer. 14% of health science writers major in journalism. Other common majors for a health science writer include biology and nursing.

Most common colleges for health science writers

Health science writers often get their degrees at Ball State University, University of Iowa, and Temple University. Here are the most common colleges for health science writers in the US based on their resumes.
Health science writer common collegePercentages
Ball State University8.57%
University of Iowa5.71%
Temple University5.71%
New York University5.71%
Adelphi University5.71%

Best majors for health science writers

RankMajorPercentages
1Journalism13.6%
2Biology11.4%
3Nursing6.8%
4Kinesiology6.8%
5Psychology6.8%

Best colleges for health science writers

The best colleges for health science writers are Northeastern University, Northwestern University, and University of Southern California.

A health science writer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for health science writers. 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 health science writers.

1. University of Houston

Houston, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$8,913

Enrollment

37,291

2. Texas State University

San Marcos, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,280

Enrollment

34,187

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

5. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Enrollment

34,564

6. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

8. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

9. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Enrollment

32,072

20 best online courses for health science writers

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1. Major Depression in the Population: A Public Health Approach

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Public Mental Health is the application of the principles of medicine and social science to prevent the occurrence of mental and behavioral disorders and to promote mental health of the population. This course illustrates the principles of public health applied to depressive disorder, including principles of epidemiology, transcultural psychiatry, health services research, and prevention. It is predicted that by 2020 depressive disorder will be the most important cause of disease burden in the...

2. Population Health: Governance

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How can we organise care in such a way that we optimize experience, quality and costs? What type of governance is needed? And how should healthcare organisations collaborate? These are central questions in this course. In answering them, we depart from a recognition of the impact of three crucial global shifts in health care governance: 1) the change in focus from cure to population health, 2) the increased attention to social determinants of health, and 3) the stronger involvement of...

3. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate

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Learn about holistic health, wellness, key biomarkers, good sleep and ways to optimize your health...

5. Data Science for Health Research

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In Data Science for Health Research, learn to organize and visualize health data using statistical analysis in programs like R. Explore how to translate data, interpret statistical models, and predict outcomes to help make data-informed decisions within the public health field...

6. Social Determinants of Health: Vulnerable Populations

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This second of five courses focuses on how social determinants of health affects vulnerable populations. Focusing on four groups of vulnerable populations, students will examine how social determinants of health contribute to the poor health outcomes experienced by these populations. The topics of this course include: 1. Poverty 2. Women’s Health 3. Gender and LGBTQI+ Health 4. Family Health 5. Data Applications: t-test Analysis and Box Plot Visualization...

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9. Population Health: Syndemics

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Do you wish to contribute to breaking cycles of ill-health in disadvantaged populations? And explore co-occurrence of diseases, such as substance abuse, infectious and chronic disease, and the relation with social factors (disparities)? Are you disappointed in the poor effectiveness of interventions for combined social and medical problems? Then this syndemics course might provide you with some answers. In medicine, diseases are generally approached as distinct entities, in isolation from other...

10. Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice

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Epidemiology is often described as the cornerstone science in public health. Epidemiology in public health practice uses study design and analyses to identify causes in an outbreak situation, guides interventions to improve population health, and evaluates programs and policies. In this course, we'll define the role of the professional epidemiologist as it relates to public health services, functions, and competencies. With that foundation in mind, we'll introduce you to the problem solving...

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13. Global Health Policy

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15. Workplace Mental Health: A Manager's Ultimate Guide

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Master The 3 Surprising Steps That Can Finally Transform Your Health In The Next 30 Days...

20. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)

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Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...

Top 10 most affordable universities for health science writers

The most affordable schools for health science writers are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and brigham young university.

If the best universities for health science writers 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 health science writers.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

4. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

5. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,140

Cost of attendance

14,430

6. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

7. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

8. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

9. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

10. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Cost of attendance

21,034

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for health science writers

The hardest universities for health science writers to get into are Northeastern University, Northwestern University, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for health science writers 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 health science writers 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. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

4. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL • Private

Admissions rate

32%

SAT average

1,365

7. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

8. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

9. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

Admissions rate

39%

SAT average

1,367

10. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for health science writers

The easiest schools for health science writers to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a health science writer 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 health science writers.

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

6. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

994

7. Rochester University

Rochester Hills, MI • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,002

8. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

9. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,016

10. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

Average health science writer salary by education level

According to our data, health science writers with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $74,303 annually. Health science writers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $73,646.
Health science writer education levelHealth science writer salary
Master's Degree$73,646
Bachelor's Degree$74,303

Health science writer education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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