Program Overview

Program Overview

The certificate program in risk communication is designed to provide students with the tools to help organizations navigate challenging situations. This program combines the strengths of three schools within the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences: the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, and the School of Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies.

Program Description

The rising importance of the field of risk communication stems from the need to name, understand, and manage physical and social risks as society is faced with increasingly challenging decisions concerning stressed social and environmental infrastructures. Proficiency in risk communication requires understanding the complex interfaces of physical, biological, psychological, and social systems.

At a Glance

• College/school: New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
• Location: West Valley

Curriculum

The certificate in risk communication consists of 15 credit hours of coursework, of which a minimum of 12 hours must be upper division. A minimum of six upper-division credit hours must be earned through courses offered by the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. All courses used to satisfy requirements for the certificate must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better.

• COM 415 Risk Communication (SOBE) - 3 Credit Hours - Minimum Grade: C
• ENV 201 Fundamentals of Environmental Science (SUST) or BIO 130 Introduction to Environmental Science (SCIT) - 3-4 Credit Hours - Minimum Grade: C
• Upper Division Risk Communication Electives:
  • CHM 302 Environmental Chemistry
  • COM 319 Persuasion and Social Influence (CIVI)
  • COM 414 Crisis Communication
  • COM 450 Organizational Communication (SOBE)
  • COM 454 Rhetorical and Critical Approaches to Public Relations
  • COM 463 Intercultural Communication for Global Leadership and Collaboration (GCSI)
  • ENG 371 Rhetoric of the Environmental Movement
  • ENV 485 Environmental Impact Assessment (CIVI)
  • IAS 340 / PHI 320 Bioethics (HUAD)
  • IAS 407 / PHI 407 Environmental Philosophy and Policy (SUST)
  • IAS 409 / PHI 409 Eco-Community Ethics
  • LSC 362 The Human Environment
  • PTX 301 Basics of Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • PTX 430 Environmental and Human Toxicology - 9 Credit Hours - Minimum Grade: C

Enrollment Requirements

This certificate is open to students in any major. Students who wish to pursue this certificate should consult an academic advisor in the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences or the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences to ensure that the appropriate set of courses is taken. A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before an undergraduate degree is completed. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program are prepared for a variety of careers in risk management, crisis communications, and environmental public affairs. Specifically, graduates are suited to work as risk management specialists and environmental advocates, and they are prepared to translate complex scientific ideas and analyses into information that can be evaluated meaningfully by all members of society. Graduates work in local government agencies and public relations organizations, and in law enforcement, advertising, marketing, and insurance.