Do you enjoy explaining science? Do you delight in the wonders of nature or the process of scientific discovery, and yearn to tell those stories? Join the next generation of writers who are showing how science, medicine, and technology affect our lives.
Advancing technology, an ever-changing planet, and our age-old fascination with the unknown has fueled a rising demand for science and health information.
Millions now listen to podcasts or binge on documentaries about science, tech, and nature. In addition, many recent bestselling books illuminate science or medical themes.
News outlets, popular science publications, government research agencies, universities, nonprofits, biotech and pharmaceutical companies – all have a need for writers who can present complicated scientific and medical information clearly and accurately. Whether in a news story or speech, press release or website, museum exhibit text or podcast, the science writer provides a bridge between the esoteric world of science and the layperson.
We teach the reporting and writing skills required to succeed in the diverse ecosystem of science and medical writing. In core classes, students hone reporting techniques such as interviewing scientists and identifying credible sources. Electives such as Subatomic Writing, Principles of Editing, and Literature of Science help students polish their prose and emulate masters of the craft. In workshops such as Science Narrative and Science Personal Essay & Memoir, students develop tools of creative nonfiction while receiving extensive feedback on their writing.
Summer residency courses immerse students in the field – from tromping through fields and coasts with field biologists to joining astronomers as they observe other galaxies. Previous residencies have taken students to Bar Harbor, Maine; Dublin, Ireland; and Missoula, Montana. The popular Medicine in Action residency takes place at the Johns Hopkins medical campus, and Science Policy, Funding, and Politics, is held in Washington, D.C.
Among our alumni, you will find journalists, award-winning authors, and staff writers for science-related organizations, including:
Through advanced coursework, you’ll develop strong competencies in researching scientific topics, evaluating sources, interviewing subject-matter experts, and translating technical findings into clear prose.
You’ll also explore the ethical responsibilities of science communication, including accurately representing evidence, explaining uncertainty, and distinguishing well-supported conclusions from preliminary findings.
Writing workshops within the curriculum provide opportunities to develop and revise articles with guidance from instructors and feedback from peers. You’ll learn to make deliberate choices about structure, tone, detail, and narrative while maintaining scientific accuracy. Depending on your interests, you can pursue specialized topics across medicine, biology, technology, space, the environment, and other areas of science.
Below are a few examples of science writing master’s courses that you can take as part of our program. These courses will help you gain the skills you need to advance in your career and improve your abilities. As part of the program, you will be expected to take required core classes as well as choose from relevant electives to complete your degree.
There is such a sense of nurturing about the program. I learned a lot about journalism ethics and about writing and reporting science. Hopkins gave me great training, and that motivates me to put impactful writing, creativity, and art out into the world.
We’ve been innovating in science writing education for more than 20 years.
Hundreds of bylines: find our alumni in National Geographic, Smithsonian, The New York Times, Esquire, The Washington Post, Discover, Psychology Today, MIT Technology Review, Chemical and Engineering News, Orion, and Salon.com.
Many of our alumni write for agencies and associations such as the American Red Cross, AARP, The Nature Conservancy, American Geophysical Union, National Cancer Institute, Department of Energy, and National Marine Sanctuaries.
Our program offers you the flexibility to align classes with your personal interests. Options include Subatomic Writing, Communicating Climate Change, Advanced Reporting and Writing in Science, The Literature of Science, and the Science Personal Essay & Memoir Workshop.
Our experienced instructors in the MA in Science Writing Program include practicing writers and editors who excel at teaching—authors, journal editors, reporters, magazine editors, freelance writers, publishers, artists, and scientists.
Excursions and field experience have led our students to a research island in Maine, control rooms at NASA, historic museums in Italy, and world-famous labs in Washington and Baltimore. They have observed in the operating room, sailed with biologists on the Chesapeake.
Learn to blend reporting and research with the craft of creative writing, and launch a career in science or medical writing.
Johns Hopkins University’s MA in Science Writing program is a 9-course, 36-credit professional master’s degree program – often completed within 16-36 months, though students have up to seven years for degree completion. While most courses are offered 100 percent online, there is an additional requirement of one on-site residency.
The admissions criteria for the MA in Science Writing program includes a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or an equivalent international credential, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The application can be completed online and requires supporting materials, including resume, transcripts, writing samples, and more.
Tuition and fees for the MA in Science Writing program currently are $38,105 USD. The cost per course is $4,145. Students may be eligible to access federal loans, employer tuition assistance, military and veterans benefits, or partner-organization benefits to offset the cost of the degree. Learn more about financial aid options.
This program’s customizable curriculum allows students to align courses with their personal interests. The program culminates with the creation of a thesis that prepares students for a writing career.
Yes. Students are required to attend one on-site residency that places them in immersive science-writing settings. For example, in 2025 students convened in Krakow, Poland, to explore the region through historical, literary, scientific, and social lenses. Field study courses are subject to additional expenses.
Depending on experience, portfolio, and area of specialization, career paths include:
A strong portfolio is particularly important in writing careers. Graduate study helps professionals build and refine work samples, but hiring decisions also depend on subject-matter knowledge, reporting ability, editorial judgment, and experience with the publication formats or audiences an employer serves.
Science writers’ work is seen across:
Some are freelancers serving several clients, while others join in-house communications or editorial teams.
The audience and purpose of the writing vary by setting. A journalist might report on a new scientific study for a general readership, while a medical communications writer develops materials for healthcare professionals. A university communications specialist might explain a research discovery to the public, donors, or prospective students. Each role requires accurate research, but the format and level of technical detail differ.