You chose science, engineering, or social science because you want to understand and shape the world. But understanding isn't enough if you want your work to matter. The scientists, researchers, and social scientists who shape public conversations, secure funding, influence policy, and build careers that reach beyond the lab or the study are the ones who can communicate what they know to people who weren't in the room when the discovery happened. That's what this certificate teaches you to do.
The Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) certificate is an 18-credit credential for students in any science, technology, or social science major who want to develop the writing and communication skills that set researchers, clinicians, journalists, and advocates apart. You'll learn to write for multiple audiences — from specialists in your field to the general public to policymakers and funders — and you'll build a portfolio of work that demonstrates those skills to graduate programs and employers.
Who is this certificate for?
This certificate is designed for students who want to
- Communicate their research to audiences outside their field, including the public, policymakers, and funders
- Pursue careers in science journalism, science communication, health writing, environmental advocacy, technical writing, or public policy
- Strengthen their graduate school or medical school applications with demonstrated writing and communication skills
- Work at the intersection of research and public life, in museums, public health organizations, research institutions, government agencies, or nonprofits
- Become the person in the room who can explain what the science or the data actually means
What will you be able to do?
Students who complete the PCST certificate will be able to
- Write about research for audiences both inside and outside a scientific, technical, or social scientific field
- Translate complex findings to make them accessible to various kinds of readers without distorting the research
- Communicate the ethical dimensions and public implications of scientific and social scientific work
- Write grant proposals and reports that secure and account for research funding
- Represent data accurately and ethically in writing and visual formats
- Produce polished professional writing under real-world conditions: on deadline, in collaboration, and for specific audiences
What can you do with it?
PCST certificate holders go on to careers in fields including
- Science and environmental journalism
- Research communication and public affairs at universities and research institutions
- Patient education and health communication in medical and clinical settings
- Policy writing for organizations that advise legislators on scientific and social research issues
- Grant writing and development for research institutions, nonprofits, and social service organizations
- Science writing and editing for journals, publishers, and media organizations
- Museum and science center education and content development
- Corporate communication for science and technology companies
- Research communication in public health, social policy, and advocacy organizations
The certificate also strengthens applications to graduate programs in science, medicine, public health, social science, science communication, and journalism, fields where the ability to write clearly and persuasively about research is increasingly expected.
Academic Requirements
The certificate is built around a core course that introduces the field, a capstone that brings the work together, and a set of electives that allow students to develop expertise in areas relevant to their interests and career goals, from technical writing and grant writing to digital media and health communication. Many of the courses also satisfy other Dietrich School General Education Requirements, making it possible to pursue the certificate without significantly extending your time to degree.
These courses build the disciplinary writing foundation that the certificate's communication and research writing courses extend. They count as electives only for students who are majors in the department offering the course:
- GEOL 1313 Communication for Environmental Professionals
- GEOL 1315 Communication in the Geosciences
- NROSCI 1004 Neurobiology of Learning Laboratory
- PHYS 1687 Research Writing in Physics and Astronomy
For full details on certificate requirements and eligible courses, visit the PCST Certificate page on the Dietrich School website.
Have questions about the PCST certificate? Contact Amy Flick.