Science Communication, Certificate

• Most students complete the program in just 9 months, starting in the fall and finishing by the end of the spring semester.  

• The program includes four fully online courses designed to fit into a busy professional schedule.  

• While 9 months is typical, you’ll have up to three years to finish if you need to pause or take a leave of absence. 

In today’s fast-paced landscape, this certificate equips you with the practical tools and confidence to stand out — whether you're seeking funding, informing the public, or shaping policy across a range of platforms and audiences. 

In our program, you will learn: 

• Techniques to translate complex research into accessible, engaging stories for public audiences. 

• Best practices for writing across academic formats: research articles, reviews, lay summaries, and more. 

• How to craft compelling grant proposals and funding narratives. 

• Practical and ethical strategies for using general artificial intelligence (GenAI) to communicate science. 

Science communication is a fast-growing, interdisciplinary field with a wide range of career possibilities — from journalism and public outreach to technical writing and policy advising. Professionals trained in science communication are in demand across sectors, including universities, government agencies, nonprofits, healthcare, and publishing.  

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), media and communication occupations are projected to see steady growth through 2033, with an average of over 100,000 job openings each year. That means more opportunities to turn your ability to transform complex science into meaningful messages into a rewarding career.  

Many of our alums do just that; they work or pursue careers in the communication department of universities, especially those with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM); medical institutions; government agencies; and for-profit companies as well as non-profit research-based institutions. Some of our alums are researchers at different stages in their career who have enrolled in this program to enrich their own communication practice across diverse audiences. 

As an alum of the UMB’s Science Communication Certificate program, you are well-positioned to pursue roles in areas such as: 

• Scientific Journalism 

• Communications and Marketing 

• Public Information/Affairs 

• Research and Academic Institutions 

• Medical Research 

• Technical and Scientific Writing 

• Medical Writing 

• Editorial Positions in Scholarly Journals 

• Proposals and Grant Writing 

• Program Management 

Whether you're looking to pivot your career, complement your research, or make science more accessible to the world, this program equips you with the tools to get there. 

This program is designed for anyone who wants to communicate science more effectively, whether you're a researcher looking to share your work beyond academic circles, or a professional in communication, education, policy, or outreach who works at the intersection of science and society. If you’re passionate about making scientific ideas more accessible, more engaging, and more inclusive, this program will meet you where you are and help you grow. 

Throughout the program, you'll engage with a wide mix of materials designed to reflect the real-world landscape of science communication. One key text is Getting to the Heart of Science Communication by Dr. Faith Kearns, a scientist and science communication practitioner whose work on water, wildfire, and climate change has been widely published. Her book offers practical insights into communicating with empathy, especially in challenging or high-stakes conversations. You’ll also dive into articles from academic and popular outlets, podcasts, blogs, social media posts, sample grants, and multimedia resources like YouTube and TikTok. Materials from organizations like the American Academy for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences round out a curriculum grounded in both theory and practice. 

• MHS 603: Science Communication Principles (3 Credits) 

• MHS 607: Scientific Writing and Publishing (3 Credits)

• MHS 627: Science Communication with Diverse Audiences (3 Credits) 

• MHS 637: Writing Proposals and Grants (3 Credits) 

View Course Descriptions