Advanced Graduate Certificate in Communicating Science

The Advanced Graduate Certificate in Communicating Science fosters clear, vivid communication in the areas of science, engineering, and health. Participants learn to integrate scientific knowledge, creativity, ethical practice, and verbal and non-verbal communication skills. The program teaches participants to communicate more effectively about science with the general public, policy makers, the media, students, potential employers or funders and prospective collaborators in their own and other disciplines, while providing background grounding in the field of science communication. Participants learn and develop dynamic ways to connect with, and respond to, diverse audiences. Students learn fundamental skills, including understanding and connecting with audiences, setting focused communication goals, and speaking clearly and conversationally about their work and why it matters. Students develop a fundamental understanding of research on science communication and apply this to practice identifying main points, speaking without jargon, explaining meaning and context, responding to questions, using storytelling techniques, and using multimedia elements. Participants learn to examine critically the presentation of scientific information to society, including analyzing challenges and opportunities for science outreach and communication.

The Advanced Graduate Certificate in Communicating Science (12 credits) complements ongoing graduate degree work at Stony Brook University. To apply you must be enrolled in a graduate program at Stony Brook University.

A personal statement (300-500 words) - In a short essay, applicants should describe why science communication is important to the work they do, their reasons for applying to the AGC in Communicating Science, and how they feel as though this certificate would advance their future career goals.

Permission to Enroll in a Secondary Certificate Form: Before completing the application you must have your Permission to Enroll in a Secondary Certificate Program Form completed, and ready to upload with your application.

English Proficiency

IELTS: Overall score of 6.5, with no subsection recommended to be below 6; and TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 90 for doctoral applicants and 80 for master’s applicants.