What is civic science communication?
Science communication explains. Civic science communication engages.
The goal isn’t just to make science easier to understand. It’s to make scientific conversations more inclusive, collaborative, and useful. Civic science communication is about building genuine two-way relationships between science and society, helping scientists, communicators, policymakers, journalists, and communities work together around scientific issues and evidence-based decisions.
That means making research accessible, encouraging public participation, and ensuring that the people most affected by scientific issues have a voice in the conversation.
Co-designed with the Practice and Science of Civic Science Advisory Committee, the certificate is built around five principles that shape effective civic science communication: understanding science in context, designing for equity and inclusion; communicating for the future, leading systems change, and building the conditions for learning and impact.
Who this program is for
The 16-credit online Graduate Certificate in Civic Science Communication is designed for people with expertise, evidence, or complex ideas they need to communicate more effectively. A bachelor’s degree in any field is required, but you don’t need a science background to apply.
- Graduate students: Add practical communication and public engagement skills to your academic training before you enter the field.
- Researchers + scientists: Learn to get your work beyond academic journals and into policy rooms, newsrooms, and public conversations.
- Journalists + science writers: Deepen your understanding of science communication theory and sharpen your storytelling toolkit.
- Nonprofit + government professionals: Develop strategies for communicating evidence and advancing science-informed decisions.
- Anyone working at the intersection of science and society: If you need to communicate evidence to people who aren’t scientists, this program was designed for you.
Learn more in this video from Professor Fanuel Mundi (civic science scholar-journalist) and COM Dean Mariette DiChristina.
What you’ll learn
Research can change the world—but only if it reaches beyond the people who already understand it.
You’ll learn how to turn complex research into stories, strategies, and public engagement that can inform policy discussions, news coverage, and community decision-making. Through four courses, you’ll build skills in science storytelling, audience engagement, advocacy, data visualization, and community-centered strategy.
The program consists of four seven-week online courses, with up to 2 courses per semester. Coursework is asynchronous, so you can learn on your own schedule, with one live online group experience in each course.
Curriculum
Learn to turn scientific information into stories that connect with different audiences—from the public and policymakers to journalists and scientists. You’ll work across written, visual, and multimedia formats and leave with a portfolio of science communication pieces. 4 credits.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the impact of journalistic and persuasive stories using written, visual, and multimedia elements.
- Share stories with a variety of audiences, cognizant of the complexities of the lived and learned experiences of those audiences.
- Gain experience in crafting science-based stories for promotional communication, including public relations and advertising that may help foster engagement and collaboration with lay populations, policy makers, and other scientists.
Why do some messages change minds while others get ignored? Explore how people perceive information and use communication theory, evidence, and real campaign examples to create more effective engagement strategies. 4 credits.
Learning outcomes
- Understand and be able to craft messages based on human communication theory and assessing evidence.
- Craft engagement strategies and messaging for a variety of audiences based on the particular nuances of the group.
- Learn how to ethically engage with diverse audiences to understand their needs.
- Learn to create dialogic, inclusive campaigns that not only inform, but also effectively change attitudes and activate behaviors.
- Gain a sense of how decisions are made so that they may influence at the right level and time with the right communication strategies.
Data doesn’t speak for itself. Learn how to find, interpret, visualize, and communicate data in ways that make complex scientific information more meaningful and accessible to non-scientific audiences. 4 credits.
Learning outcomes
- Gain experience in identifying sources of data that are publicly available and will be able to use those data in conjunction with their own to be able to effectively communicate scientific ideas to a variety of audiences.
- Effectively present data in written, oral, and infographic form in ways that audiences are able to understand.
- Gain an understanding of the limitations of publicly available data, particularly in how historically excluded and marginalized communities’ voices are often missing from such data.
- Gain experience in transforming technical and scientific writing/material to formats that are widely understood by non-scientific audiences.
Evidence alone doesn’t change policy or behavior. Learn how to work with journalists, communities, and policymakers to advance science-informed decisions through media engagement, public presentations, advocacy leadership, and two-way communication. 4 credits.
Learning outcomes
- Gain experience in working with and through media to share information.
- Gain knowledge of issues in communication management and advocacy leadership, including counter-advocacy efforts.
- Gain practical experience in engaging community members in civic discussions and leading for systems change.
- Learn how to engage the media, policy makers, and community members in reciprocal communication about their work and work collaboratively with these groups to advance scientific knowledge.
This completely changed my understanding of science communication, and made me deeply aware of the storytelling power of science, the importance of understanding audiences, and the critical role of digital tools. Narrative structure is essential–combining personal stories and real cases moves people in ways that simply piling on data doesn’t.
Certificate Student
Building Trust Through Civic Science
A movement has been building in science for about a decade. It centers on getting scientists out of their labs…
How the program works
- Fully online and asynchronous: All four courses are delivered online in seven-week modules, with no fixed class times. You set your own schedule.
- Complete in as few as two semesters: Take up to two courses per semester across fall, spring, and summer. Courses can be taken in any order.
- One live session per course: Each course includes one synchronous group experience.
- Enroll year-round: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. We recommend applying at least two weeks before your preferred course start date.
- Tuition: $3,750 per course, plus a $60 student services fee; $15,000 for the full 4-course certificate. Current BU graduate students paying full-time block tuition (e.g. not by the course) pay no additional tuition for these courses.
- Take individual courses: Not ready for the full certificate? You can enroll in individual courses as a non-degree student.
Good science communication starts with connection
Science communication is built on relationships—and so is this program. Throughout the certificate, you’ll have opportunities to connect with researchers, journalists, policymakers, fellow students, and professionals across the field through optional events and professional development opportunities.
- Cohort mixers and networking events: Optional in-person and online gatherings with fellow students, faculty, and professionals in the civic science communication field.
- Fireside chats with Civic Science Fellows: Intimate conversations with experts in the field, covering career paths, current challenges, and the future of science communication.
- SciCommers Mentor Chat series: One-on-one and small-group virtual sessions with experienced science communicators through BU’s SciCommers program.
- COM Science Communication lecture series: Guest speakers from academia, journalism, and policy, plus workshops in media training, digital storytelling, and public speaking.
I loved how even though the course was online, we were able to interact with each other on the discussion topics. The different insights that my peers had helped me open my eyes towards perspectives and issues I otherwise would have missed.
Certificate student
Program at a glance
- Credential: Graduate Certificate from Boston University
- Credits: 16 | Courses: 4 seven-week modules
- Format: 100% online and asynchronous, with one live group session per course
- Duration: As few as 2 semesters, with the flexibility to complete courses across fall, spring, and summer
- Admissions: Year-round rolling enrollment; no GRE or letters of recommendation required
- Tuition: $3,750 per course, plus a $60 student services fee; $15,000 for the full 4-course certificate. (Note: Current BU graduate students paying full-time block tuition pay no additional cost.)
How to apply
Ready to get started? Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and students may begin in fall, spring, or summer.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (any field)
- No GRE required
- No letters of recommendation required
Application materials:
- Online application
- Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (must show bachelor’s degree conferral)
- Statement of purpose (500-750 words): Outline your interest in civic science communication, your qualifications and motivations for pursuing this certificate, relevant experience (if any), career goals, and how you plan to use the skills you’ll develop.
Questions? Contact Dr. Amml Hussein at amml@bu.edu or COM Graduate Affairs at comgrad@bu.edu.
Frequently asked questions about the Graduate Certificate in Civic Science Communication
Do I need a science background to apply?
No. The program is designed for communicators, journalists, researchers, policymakers, and professionals from any field who work with scientific information. A bachelor’s degree is the only prerequisite.
How long does it take to complete the program?
Most students complete the four courses in two semesters (for example, taking two courses in the fall and two in the spring). However, you can pace yourself and spread the modules across fall, spring, and summer terms to suit your professional workload.
Can I take individual courses without enrolling in the full certificate?
Yes. Individual courses are available to non-degree students. Contact COM Graduate Affairs for details (comgrad@bu.edu).
Is this program fully online?
Yes. All coursework is online and asynchronous, with one synchronous group session per course.
What does the word “civic” actually mean in this context?
The “civic” in civic science communication means going beyond one-way communication. Rather than simply explaining science to a passive audience, civic science invites communities into the conversation. It emphasizes dialogue, equity, inclusion, and mutual exchange—treating people as active participants in scientific discovery and decision-making, not just consumers of information.
What careers can this certificate support?
This certificate is designed for professionals who communicate scientific information in their work. Graduates may apply these skills in science communication, public engagement, science journalism, research communications, nonprofit advocacy, health communication, environmental communication, public affairs, and policy communication roles.
Also worth exploring
- MS in Journalism: For students who want to make science communication their primary career through journalism, reporting, and multimedia storytelling.
- MS in Strategic Integrated Communication (online): A fully online master’s degree for working professionals in communication, marketing, and public relations.
- MS in Public Relations: For students focused on media relations, crisis communication, and advocacy.