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Environmental Communication and Leadership, Certificate

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  1. Degree Programs
  2. Graduate Degrees
  3. Environmental Communication and Leadership (Certificate)

At a Glance: program details

  • Location:
    Tempe campus
  • Second Language Requirement: No

Student Handbook


Program Description

Certificate Awarded: Environmental Communication and Leadership (Certificate)

Scientists must go beyond publishing in journals if they want their research to be relevant to society. However, academic training rarely covers how to communicate with the press, the public, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders.

This certificate program in environmental communication and leadership gives graduate students in environmental disciplines the important skills they need in order to increase their influence and reach above and beyond academia.


Degree Requirements

Curriculum Plan Options

  • 15 credit hours

Required Core (3 credit hours)
BIO 578 Environmental Leadership and Communication (3)

Electives (12 credit hours)
policy and management (3)
communication (3)
leadership (3)
open elective (3)

Additional Curriculum Information
Students must choose three credit hours from each of the policy and management, communication, and leadership categories with approval of the School of Life Sciences. If a student takes a course for fewer than three credit hours, the student must take more than one course in that category to meet the three-credit-hour requirement. Students should contact the School of Life Sciences for a complete list of courses.

For the open elective category, students choose one three-credit-hour elective course from any of the other three categories above. Students should note that only three credit hours of approved 400-level coursework can appear on the plan of study.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

International students who need an F1 or J1 visa first need to apply to and be accepted into a graduate degree program prior to being considered for the certificate program. International students residing in the USA on other types of visas must adhere to all Graduate College policies and procedures regarding admission to be considered for admission to this certificate program.

Sample related fields include business, education, biology, geosciences, political science and English.

Applicants must have completed 12 undergraduate credit hours of natural science or social science coursework related to the environment at the time of application to the graduate certificate program. They must meet all other graduate admissions requirements. Courses are reviewed by the School of Life Sciences graduate committee to ensure they fulfill this requirement.


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Career Opportunities

Professionals skilled in communication as well as analytical and critical thinking are highly sought-after in public and private industry. Experience with conservation science, policy, management and leadership prepares graduates for careers in research, policy development, law and business management, among many others.

Career examples include:

  • attorney
  • ecologist
  • professor
  • research scientist
  • science journalist or communicator

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

  • sols.grad@asu.edu
  • 480/727-3109


Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor's degree in 2.5 or 3 years.

Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.

Accelerated bachelor's degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
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