Master’s Programs
Master’s Track in Science/Health Communication
The College of Journalism and Communications, with support from other colleges on campus, offers a master’s track in science and health communications. The program is designed to teach scientists and health specialists to communicate effectively via mass media and to teach mass media specialists to translate the language of science and health into meaningful and understandable stories for their audiences. These goals are achieved through theoretical writing and applied courses.
At least two features of the program make it unique among science communication programs nationwide. First, other existing science communication programs in the U.S. focus only on training journalists. UF's program is open not only to journalists who want to specialize in covering science and health, but also offers training for people planning to work as public affairs or public information officers for science and health organizations, such as NASA, for other communication specialists and for scientists who need to be able to communicate with the public about their work. Another unique feature of UF's program is that it focuses on training students to understand and communicate effectively about science and health policy.
To be eligible for the program, journalists and other communication specialists preferably should have at least two years of professional experience, and scientists/health specialists preferably should have at least two years of experience.
Students in the program have the option of writing a traditional research thesis, producing a series of articles on science or health topics, or completing a project (such as a communication plan for a scientific or health organization). With committee approval and specific tasks and limitations delineated, this project could be, for example, a joint project between a journalist/public affairs officer and a scientist. For instance, a scientist and public affairs practitioner from an organization such as NASA could create a plan for communicating the results of a particularly difficult scientific experiment that will be conducted on a shuttle mission.
Another option for project in lieu of thesis is to develop a series of publishable articles. This program has a professional advisory panel whose members serve as external reviewers for professional projects produced in lieu of a thesis. This panel provides feedback, critique and suggestions as to the publishability of these articles. Final authority regarding the status of these articles resides with the internal committee.
Students are encouraged to complete a professional internship as part of their degree requirements. We have developed a network of science and health organizations willing to provide internships and other types of funding for students in the program.
For more information, please contact Dr. Debbie Treise.
The Campaign for the University of Florida