Program Overview

Science Communication Graduate Certificate

Overview

This certificate, designed for graduate students and professionals with or without a communication background, explores how science communication research informs best practices within diverse, applied settings (and vice-versa). Spanning the intersection of research and practice, graduates strengthen science communication efforts geared toward various audiences and support effective science-related decision making within academic, government, and non-profit sectors, among others.

This graduate certificate may be pursued on a part-time or full-time basis.

Admissions

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions.

Policies

All course choices included in this certificate must be approved by the department.

For policies governing all graduate certificates, see AP.6.8 Requirements for Graduate Certificates.

Certificate Requirements

Total credits: 15

This certificate may be pursued on a full-or part-time basis.

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Core Course

• COMM 639: Science Communication (3 credits)

Electives in COMM

• Select two courses from the following:
  • COMM 637: Risk Communication
  • COMM 640: The Issues of Science and Politics
  • COMM 642: Science and the Public
  • COMM 644: Analysis and Criticism of Science Journalism
  • COMM 660: Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns
  • COMM 694: Communication Internship
  • COMM 735: Crisis Communication

Electives in Science

• Students select two 500- or 600- level courses in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM), health sciences, or science policy disciplines offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Science, the College of Public Health, the Schar School of Policy and Government, or the College of Education and Human Development.