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Fall 2025 Graduate Catalog

Science Communication, MS

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School of Communication and Journalism (SoCJ)
Degree Awarded: Master of Science in Science Communication
 
Dean: Laura Lindenfeld, PhD
Graduate Program Director: Brenda Hoffman, PhD
Graduate Program Coordinator: Stefanie Ambrosio-Mullady, MA
 

The Master of Science in Science Communication prepares students to engage in and advocate for valid, reliable public discourse about science, through communication that helps others engage with science in new and meaningful ways. This program takes a modern approach to communication, combining a traditional social science theory and research foundation, with practical, hands-on training to help students become effective boundary spanners between science and society. As part of their coursework, students will experience unique training in improvisation to help them embrace flexibility while maintaining an appropriate level of preparation, offering students lifelong skills that will prepare them to remain nimble in an ever changing world around them. Students will learn to:

  • Share scientific discoveries in ways that resonate with diverse audiences
  • Conduct and evaluate empirical, social science research
  • Design targeted communication campaigns that respond to the needs, values, and cultures of an audience
  • Recognize their own biases and understand how their experiences shape how they see and interact with individuals and societies
  • Support diversity and inclusion in written and verbal communication
  • Apply contemporary legal and ethical practices in face-to-face and digital communication
  • Contribute to high-quality, professional projects that build bridges between science and society

Designed to meet the needs of a diverse student population, this program welcomes students from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds including but not limited to, STEM, health sciences, and/or the social sciences and humanities. This program is best suited for students interested in pursuing careers in professional science communication, that seek to bring science out of labs and libraries and into the world. Students with a background in science will be prepared to share their own scientific discoveries, while those with little or no scientific experience will learn to collaborate with experts to help them share scientific information with accuracy and relevancy. This is a fully-online degree program, which allows students to study from any location on a full-time or part-time basis.

The Master of Science in Science Communication is designed to meet programmatic outcomes that are outlined in the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)’s professional values and competencies. For more information about ACEJM Ccompetencies, please visit their website.

Admission Requirements

Application Deadlines

Note: Applications accepted for fall admission only.

Applicants must submit the following:

  1. CV or Resume
  2. Personal statement (500 words): In a short essay, applicants should describe why science communication is important to them, their reason(s) for applying to program, and how they feel as though a degree in science communication will advance their future career goals.
  3. Three letters of recommendation: We are interested in hearing from three different recommenders who can comment on the applicant’s academic strengths, communication or professional skills (including oral, written, and/or multimedia), and/or their potential for success in this graduate program.
  4. Official transcripts: Applicants must demonstrate a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and a completed Bachelor’s degree.
  5. Two writing samples: Students may elect to submit two academic/professional writing samples OR one academic/professional writing sample and one creative work. Academic writing samples may include but are not limited to course papers, academic publications, or published news pieces. Creative works may include but are not limited to video recorded live broadcasts, professional social media campaigns, or recorded podcast content.
  6. Language proficiency scores (international applicants). Please refer to the most up to date requirements found in the Graduate Bulletin.
  7. GRE scores are optional.

Degree Requirements

The 33-credit Master of Science in Science Communication consists of six required courses (18 credits) and five elective courses (15 credits). Students will work closely with the graduate program director and faculty advisors each semester to develop an individualized plan of study that best fits their interests and career goals. Students may elect to enroll part-time or full-time. Full-time graduate work is defined as a minimum of 9 credits per semester. All courses are offered in an online format.

Required Courses (18 Credits)

Elective Courses (15 Credits)

Requirements for the Concentration in Climate Communication

The concentration in Climate Communication offers students interested in studying climate change a designated set of courses that focus specifically on climate change research and practice. Students have the option to take up to two courses in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS). Students that elect to declare a concentration in Climate communication will complete the following requirements for the Master of Science in Science Communication.

Required Courses (27 credits)

Elective Courses (6 credits)

Select two courses from the following list.

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