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Health technical writer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a health technical writer. Health technical writers usually study psychology, english, or engineering science. 80% of health technical writers hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 18 real health technical writer resumes to see exactly what health technical writer education sections show.
The most common colleges for health technical writers are the Palm Beach Atlantic University and the Palm Beach Atlantic University.
There are also many online health technical writer courses to help get the education required to be a health technical writer.
What education do you need to become a health technical writer?
What degree do you need to be a health technical writer?
- Bachelor's, 80%
- Master's, 13%
- Associate, 7%
What should I major in to become a health technical writer?
- Psychology, 19%
- English, 13%
- Biology, 6%
- Other Majors, 56%
Most common colleges for health technical writers
| Health technical writer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Palm Beach Atlantic University | 6.67% |
| Florida Atlantic University | 6.67% |
| Haverford College | 6.67% |
| Lafayette College | 6.67% |
| University of Wisconsin - Platteville | 6.67% |
Best majors for health technical writers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 18.8% |
| 2 | English | 12.5% |
| 3 | Engineering Science | 6.3% |
| 4 | Biology | 6.3% |
| 5 | Education | 6.3% |
Best colleges for health technical writers
The best colleges for health technical writers are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Harvard University.
A health technical 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 technical 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 technical writers.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
7. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$53,399
Enrollment
7,356
8. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
9. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
10. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
20 best online courses for health technical writers
Advertising disclosure
1. Technical Writing: How to Write API Software Documentation
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API Documentation 1: Teaches technical writers how to document structured data. No programming experience required...
4. Medical Devices Quality Management System - ISO 13485:2016
Awareness and Application for the requirements of ISO 13485:2016 for Medical Device Development and QMS...
5. Technical Writing: How to Write Software Documentation
Learn a proven strategy for writing software docu in Git Hub wiki based on the 12 main principles of technical writing!...
6. Technical Writing: How to Write Using DITA XML
How to Become a Modern and Successful Technical Writer Using DITA XML...
7. The Art of API Documentation
API Documentation 3: Teaches technical writers how to write API overview material, tutorials, etc...
8. Professional Technical Writing: Advance Your Writing Skills
Create your first technical document by applying the principles and techniques of technical writing taught by Pro Writer...
9. Business Writing & Technical Writing Immersion
Effective Writing Technical Documentation Writing System Software Documentation Emails PPTs...
10. Best Practices in Document Management
Develop your cost-effective and future-proof documentation strategy...
11. The New Trainer's Guide to Creating End User Documentation
Learn quick, easy and practical technical writing skills to write great end user software documentation - FAST...
12. Internal audit on Medical Device QMS - ISO 13485:2016
Successfully conduct an internal audit based on requirements of ISO 13485:2016 for Medical Device Development and QMS...
13. Practical Project Management for Management Consultants
How to manage successfully a consulting project - a practical guide for Project Managers...
14. ISO 45001. Occupational health & safety management system
Upgrate your health and safety career by understanding the requriements for an OH & S management system from ISO 45001...
15. Complete Health and Safety Auditor Course. OHSAS 18001.
How to implement and audit a health & safety management system and obtain certification to OHSAS 18001 Standard...
16. Oracle E-Business Suite (R12.1.3) Technical RICEW
E-Business Suite Technical RICEW...
17. Applied ISO14971 Medical Device Risk Management
A concise guide to executing ISO 14971 requirements...
18. Medical Device Regulation (MDR): Intro for Device Designers
An introduction to the EU's Medical Device Regulation (MDR) for those involved in developing medical devices...
19. Technical Writing: Master Your Writing Career
Technical Writing: How to Become a Profitable, Reliable, and Successful Technical Writer...
20. ISO 13485 Demystified - Medical Devices' QMS 360° Insights
Deep dive into the world of ISO 13485 international standard for medical devices' QMS, basic concepts & requirements...
Top 10 most affordable universities for health technical writers
The most affordable schools for health technical writers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for health technical 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 technical writers.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
5. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
6. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
7. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
8. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
9. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
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 technical writers
The hardest universities for health technical writers to get into are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Harvard University.
Some great schools for health technical 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 technical 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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
3. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
4. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
8. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
10. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for health technical writers
The easiest schools for health technical writers to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and notre dame de namur university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a health technical 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 technical 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. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
4. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
6. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
7. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
8. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
9. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
10. Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,069
Average health technical writer salary by education level
| Health technical writer education level | Health technical writer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $61,748 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $62,223 |
Health technical writer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025