Susanna J. Dodgson, PhD
Graduate Program Director for Biomedical Writing
The primary function of a medical writer is to create, check or analyze data, and convert these into forms that can be understood by professional or general audiences. The online Biomedical Writing Programs at USP instruct medical writers to handle data in industry-specific documents.
Biomedical Writing Program Overview
USP is the only institution that educates medical writers in an accredited university program. We offer the non-thesis Master of Science in Biomedical Writing (36 credits), and Certificates in Medical Writing (12 credits each). Hear Dr. Dodgson's vision for medical writers and their tasks and responsibilities.Since the program's inception in 1997, USP has helped launch the careers of medical writers with strong backgrounds in science, healthcare, English, and journalism.
Online Program
The program meets the needs of working professionals living anywhere in the world; you need internet and telephone access and a computer. You can complete the Master of Science or Certificate of Biomedical Writing either part time or full time. All courses are available completely online. If you are local you are welcome to come onsite to chat with faculty, come to our Third Thursday free dinner seminars, and use the library for online access or quiet study. All formal synchronous classes are held online in the evenings or simultaneously onsite and online on the weekends; you choose class times with other students and faculty at the beginning of the semester.
Certificate Programs
If you have a graduate degree or are seeking senior-level career positions or further training and credentialing in the biomedical writing field, USP offers two certificate programs in biomedical writing:
- The Medical Writing Certificate in Marketing Writing focuses on publications; and
- The Medical Writing Certificate in Regulatory Writing focuses on preparing documents for Food and Drug Administration for initial and continuing approval of therapies.
You can complete the certificate program in 8 months part-time. You may apply credits earned in the certificate courses toward your Master of Science.
