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Speech Writer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a speech writer. Speech writers usually study english, political science, or journalism. 74% of speech writers hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 379 real speech writer resumes to see exactly what speech writer education sections show.

The most common colleges for speech writers are the Harvard University and the Harvard University.

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

What education do you need to become a speech writer?

What degree do you need to be a speech writer?

The most common degree for speech writers is bachelor's degree, with 74% of speech writers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 19% and master's degree degree at 3%.
  • Bachelor's, 74%
  • Master's, 19%
  • Doctorate, 3%
  • Associate, 1%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a speech writer?

You should major in english to become a speech writer. 15% of speech writers major in english. Other common majors for a speech writer include political science and journalism.

Most common colleges for speech writers

Speech writers often get their degrees at Harvard University, University of California - Davis, and New York University. Here are the most common colleges for speech writers in the US based on their resumes.
Speech Writer common collegePercentages
Harvard University12.64%
University of California - Davis8.05%
New York University6.90%
Syracuse University5.75%
Georgetown University5.75%

Best majors for speech writers

RankMajorPercentages
1English15.4%
2Political Science15.0%
3Journalism10.6%
4History8.9%
5Communication7.7%

Best colleges for speech writers

The best colleges for speech writers are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Stanford University.

A speech 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 speech 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 speech writers.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. University of Houston

Houston, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$8,913

Enrollment

37,291

5. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

6. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,830

Enrollment

29,474

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

8. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

9. Texas State University

San Marcos, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,280

Enrollment

34,187

10. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Enrollment

34,564

20 best online courses for speech writers

Advertising disclosure

1. Data Streaming

udacity

Learn how to process data in real-time by building fluency in modern data engineering tools, such as Apache Spark, Kafka, Spark Streaming, and Kafka Streaming. ...

2. Speech to Text Transcription with the Cloud Speech API

coursera

This is a self-paced lab that takes place in the Google Cloud console. The Cloud Speech API lets you do speech to text transcription from audio files in over 80 languages. In this hands-on lab you’ll record your own audio file and send it to the Speech API for transcription...

3. Communicating with the Public

coursera

Rooted in theater, journalism and humanities practices, this course presents tools and techniques that help you improve your public-facing communication skills, particularly when describing your work to a lay audience. Whether it’s a 30-second elevator pitch or speaking to a large organization, “Communicating with the Public” will boost your confidence in any speech-communication scenario...

4. The Complete Presentation and Public Speaking/Speech Course

udemy
4.6
(16,658)

From page to stage; learn everything you need to know about giving a great speech for business & personal presentations...

5. Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications

udemy
4.6
(2,248)

Public Relations: You Can Shape and Control Your Media Messages at The Worst Possible Times...

6. Speaking to Inspire: Ceremonial and Motivational Speeches

coursera

The most memorable speeches inspire, entertain, and praise. By blending stories and eloquence, great speeches highlight the core values motivating an audience. You might need to do this in a keynote address, a eulogy, or simply a business meeting. Inspiring audiences is a common, but difficult writing challenge. You want a speech that elevates the topic and the audience. This course gives you a method for preparing and delivering speeches that inspire and entertain. By the end of this course,...

7. Crisis Communications

coursera

Crisis Communications is designed to empower professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively navigate and respond to crisis situations through interviews...

8. Take Lessons from an Actor -Speech & Confidence Training

udemy
4.3
(885)

Be successful in Job interviews, public speaking, committee meetings, employee evaluations, selling and auditions...

9. Stuttering Treatment The ABC's of Smoother Speech

udemy
4.2
(357)

This Is Exactly How I Help Clients STOP Visible Signs of Stuttering - Stammering And Start Speaking More Smoothly...

10. The Art of Communications - Become A Master Communicator

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4.5
(8,409)

Communication skills training. Confidence. Public Speaking. Promotion. Body Language. Pay raise. Job interview. Speech...

11. Public Speaking Skills: Give a Great Informational Speech

udemy
4.4
(737)

Public Speaking - You can confidently present information in a way that is understandable and memorable...

12. The Art of Public Speaking

udemy
4.7
(270)

Master Public Speaking: Deliver Unforgettable Speeches & Presentations With The World's Most Decorated Public Speaker...

13. Executive Communication Training

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4.5
(272)

Being a great leader without being a great communicator is nearly impossible...

14. Make Your Ideas Stick: Communicate with Impact

udemy
4.8
(363)

Presentations. Pitches. Proposals. Ads. Lessons. Speeches. Here's how to make your message stick!...

15. Communication Skills - 7 Communication Courses In 1

udemy
4.6
(748)

Master Communication Skills: Learn Persuasion, Negotiation, Body Language, Emotional Intelligence & More!...

16. Advanced Product Management: Leadership & Communication

udemy
4.5
(2,424)

Accelerate your Product Management career. Master communication, people management, & leadership...

17. Communication Skills Masterclass - Your Communication Guide

udemy
4.5
(961)

Communication Skill For Business Communication & Effective Communication In Workplace & Relationships...

18. Communication Skills Masterclass: Speak Like A Leader

udemy
4.2
(295)

Master Public Speaking, Business Communication, Presentation Skills, Storytelling, Body Language, Listening & More!...

19. Improve Communication: Speak Smoothly, Clearly & Confidently

udemy
4.1
(1,542)

Learn How You Can Clear Interviews, Express Your Ideas, & Make Presentations Smoothly & Confidently!...

20. Communication & Social Skills

udemy
4.5
(34,942)

Learn to become more confident and effective when speaking, listening, or writing...

Top 10 most affordable universities for speech writers

The most affordable schools for speech writers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and brigham young university.

If the best universities for speech 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 speech 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. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

7. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Cost of attendance

21,034

8. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

9. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

10. USF St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,821

Cost of attendance

19,849

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for speech writers

The hardest universities for speech writers to get into are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Stanford University.

Some great schools for speech 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 speech 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. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

6. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

7. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

8. Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

51%

SAT average

1,395

9. University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL • Private

Admissions rate

32%

SAT average

1,365

10. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for speech writers

The easiest schools for speech writers to get into are Barry University, saint joseph's college of maine, and grand view university.

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

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

3. Grand View University

Des Moines, IA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,060

4. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

5. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

6. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

7. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

8. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

9. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

10. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

Average speech writer salary by education level

According to our data, speech writers with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $66,653 annually. Speech writers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $62,482.
Speech Writer education levelSpeech Writer salary
Master's Degree$66,653
Bachelor's Degree$62,482

Speech 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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