Science Communication, Certificate

Science plays a critical role in shaping policy, informing public health, and advancing innovation, but its impact depends on how well it’s understood. Studying science communication assists you in bridging the gap between experts and everyday audiences, ensuring that research is not only accurate but also accessible, engaging, and relevant. Our fully online Science Communication Certificate program gives you the tools to share scientific knowledge in ways that foster dialogue, build trust, and drive informed decision-making across disciplines, sectors, and communities.

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.

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.

Many of our alums 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.