Standalone Course: Freelancing in Medical Writing and Editing
Gain the knowledge needed to help you build a freelance business in healthcare communications.
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At a Glance
- Enrollment:
- Open enrollment
- Length:
- 7 weeks
- Format:
- Online
- Investment:
-
$1,640
Upcoming Dates
April Start
Upcoming Events
Freelance writing and editing can be a lucrative, high-demand career. This course will help you discover whether freelancing is the right choice for you and teach you skills that can help you launch and run a successful freelance business.
This standalone course covers best practices for freelancers and gives you the knowledge and tools to avoid common mistakes. You will create a vision for your business, determine what “success” means to you, and develop detailed plans for running the business and marketing your services to clients.
Designed For
Medical communications professionals who want to supplement their work or become a full-time freelancer in medical writing and editing.
Make Your Work More Effective
This course is highly practical and uniquely transparent about important dos and don’ts. The first half focuses on setting up a freelance business while the second half focuses on running it successfully during the first two years. Students gain access to information rarely shared publicly, including best practices, tools, and guidance that help them avoid common pitfalls.
Participants create a clear vision for their business, define what success means to them, and develop a detailed plan for operations and marketing. You will engage with seasoned medical writers and editors who have run highly reputable and successful freelance businesses for more than 10 years. They offer strong assessment, coaching, and support throughout the course.
In this course, you will:
- Determine whether freelancing is the right fit.
- Understand the basics of starting and operating a freelance writing or editing business.
- Learn how and why to specialize within medical communications or editing.
- Assess income goals and earning potential.
- Navigate the financial obligations of small-business ownership, including taxes and bookkeeping.
- Develop marketing strategies and a plan for promoting their services.
- Measure success and create a roadmap for the future of their business.
Course Overview
- Unit 1: Is Freelancing for You?
- Unit 2: Setting Up Your Freelance Business Part 1—Finance
- Unit 3: Setting Up Your Freelance Business Part 2—Taxes and Contracts
- Unit 4: Running Your Freelance Business
- Unit 5: Creating Client-Focused Marketing
- Unit 6: Developing and Nurturing Clients
- Unit 7: Planning for Sustained Freelance Success
Please note that AI tools are also incorporated in this standalone course.
Earn a Credential in Freelancing in Medical Writing and Editing
After successful completion of this course, participants will receive a course badge certified by the University of Chicago to recognize their achievement.
- The standalone courses are independent of the Medical Writing and Editing Training Certificate program.
- They cannot be used as a substitute for certificate courses.
Gain insider tips from successful freelancers.
Meet Course Instructors:
DeLene Beeland, MS
Freelance Medical Writer | Editor, InsightMed Communications, LLC
DeLene Beeland is a freelance medical writer and editor who specializes in patient education and continuing medical education (CME) content. Her clients span from universities to biomedical and CME companies. DeLene completed the University of Chicago Medical Writing and Editing certificate in 2021...
Genevieve Walker, PhD
Freelance Medical Writer and Editor
Genevieve Walker, PhD, has been a medical writer and editor since 2002, when she received her PhD in English from the University of Oregon. Since 2009, she has been a full-time freelance medical communicator. Through her business, Bridge Health Communications, Dr. Walker creates content for patients...
Find out if freelancing is right for you and learn how to build a success business model. Register for this informative course today.
Skill Development in a Changing Job Market
Standalone courses include:
Freelancing in Medical Writing and Editing
Talk to an Advisor Today
Do you have questions about this online course or our Medical Writing and Editing Training Certificate? Our team is ready to discuss the program and answer your questions regarding our registration process. Connect with our admissions team via email or by filling out our online request form to receive more information and have someone reach out to you.
Payment Options for Non-Credit Students
Our goal is to provide students with a variety of tuition payment options that will suit their financial circumstances when they register for non-credit UChicago Professional courses.
The University of Chicago has a clear refund policy for non-credit courses. View the withdrawal and cancellation policy for more details.
Current members of certain professional associations are eligible for a 10 percent tuition reduction. Please check the list of eligible organizations below. If you are a member of an organization listed, please contact medicalediting@uchicago.edu for more information.
- American Medical Writers Association
- BELS certified editors
- Council of Science Editors
- Editorial Freelancers Association
- Independent Writers of Chicago
- International Society of Managing and Technical Editors
- National Association of Science Writers
If you have already completed a certificate program at UChicago Professional, you are eligible to receive our 20 percent Alumni Scholarship toward this standalone course.
For more information on the Alumni Scholarship program and eligibility requirements, please email the director of professional development programs, Karine Bravais.
Are you a benefits-eligible UChicago employee? Please see the UChicago tuition benefits page for more information related to your employee benefits.
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