Certificate in Science Communication

The science communication certificate provides an opportunity for students to develop their public communication skills, to interface with students and faculty across disciplinary and science-public divides, and to give students an edge in the job market where successful communication with a multitude of stakeholders is essential. As a discipline, science communication brings together theory and practice to communicate scientific information to the public, with an emphasis on two-way and strategic communication with the public. This certificate is designed to encourage students who are interested in the intersection of science and society to pursue coursework that provides them with the skills to practice public-facing science and effectively engage the public around complex and sometimes controversial scientific topics. In addition, the certificate is designed to facilitate convergence across disciplines and encourage team-based collaboration at the undergraduate level. The certificate is open to students of any major, but may be of particular value to students who are planning to pursue science, environmental, health or agricultural communication as a career or students pursuing a career in a science, engineering, math and other technical fields interested in strengthening their communication skills.

A student must have received either an associate of arts (AA) or associate of science (AS) degree or a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, or will earn an ISU baccalaureate degree at the same time or before the requirements for the certificate are completed. The program that manages the certificate will establish their specific requirements. Admissions Criteria: Students earning a certificate with a baccalaureate degree must meet ISU admission requirements. A student earning a certificate without an ISU baccalaureate degree must apply as a non-degree seeking student and will be asked by Admissions if their intent is to declare a certificate. Students must have earned an associate of arts, an associate of science, or baccalaureate degree prior to being admitted to the certificate program. A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 is required in all courses taken at ISU towards the certificate.