Northwestern’s Medill Media and Science Communication (MMaSC) program integrates journalism and communication skills with scientific research training to increase individual and lab effectiveness and engagement with public audiences around the importance of science, the mechanisms of science, and the wonders of scientific discovery. MMaSC teaches media literacy to Northwestern-trained scientists, giving them outstanding tools to improve science literacy and engage with public audiences beyond academia.

The program prioritizes professional skill development in writing and communication of scientific ideas, comprehension of the media landscape and consumer audiences, and preparation for the high demands of public engagement in science throughout the academic and professional sectors. The program is administered through a partnership between The Medill School of Journalism, Media and Integrated Marketing Communications and The Graduate School. Students can choose to take a three-unit cluster of classes or earn a five-unit certificate granted by The Graduate School at Northwestern University.

Who should apply?

Doctoral candidates from STEM and STEM-adjacent fields across TGS programs, including those in the McCormick School of Engineering & Applied Science and Feinberg School of Medicine, are eligible to apply. Past participants have come from (but are not limited to) the following programs:

• Anthropology
• Applied Physics
• Astronomy
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Computer Science
• Driskill Graduate Training Program in Life Sciences
• Earth and Planetary Sciences
• Electrical Engineering
• Health Sciences Integrated Program
• Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences (IBiS)
• Learning Sciences
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience (NUIN)
• Physical Therapy and Engineering
• Physics
• Plant Biology and Conservation
• Psychology

How to apply

Enrolled PhD students in The Graduate School must first apply for acceptance into the SCIMEDIA 517-0 course (usually offered in Fall and Spring quarters). To pursue the cluster or certificate following completion of SCIMEDIA 517-0, students need permission from the program director and their program. In order to petition to have a Graduate Certificate awarded and appear on the transcript, students must submit the  Application for a Graduate Certificate  once all Graduate Certificate requirements have been completed, but no later than the time that the student files for graduation (in the final quarter of study). 

Who to contact

Please contact the program director, listed below, with questions about this program.

Patti Wolter
Helen Gurley Brown Magazine Professor

Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications

Fisk Hall 1845 Sheridan Rd., Rm 201C

Evanston, Il 60208

Phone: (847) 491-5269

Email: p-wolter@northwestern.edu

The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in The Graduate School Policy Guide.

Cluster: 3 units

Required Courses

• SCIMEDIA 517-0: Skills and Careers in Science Writing is a graduate-level writing and communications course designed for STEM graduate students (PhD track) at Northwestern. The course focuses on techniques and best practices for science writing/communication. Students will learn editorial skills such as de-jargonizing their work, interviewing and social media principles, gain exposure to career possibilities, and hone their writing skills through authentic writing and editorial assignments focused on their own science. The course will provide a solid skills foundation for future pursuits in science writing and communication and develop media literacy skills regarding science communication. This hands-on writing course is by application only.

• SCIMEDIA 518-0: Health and Science Reporting: In this writing and reporting workshop, students will learn what makes good science writing, how to find sources, interview and turn research into compelling, accurate journalism. Students will practice translating research journal articles into consumer news articles and pursue longer, more developed science storytelling. This course may be co-listed with journalism courses. Prerequisite: SCIMEDIA 517-0.

Elective Courses (Choose 1)

• Communicating Science Beyond Academia (EARTH 450-0/ISEN 495-0) or a similar graduate-level course approved by the MMaSC director that explores strategies for successful scientific communication from the perspective of those working in academic science.

• Any approved data visualization course that introduces fundamentals of data visualization, story telling, translating data for public audiences and graphic design. Currently approved courses include: COG SCI 460-0: Data Visualization and JOUR 425-3-21: Enterprise Reporting with Data.

Certificate: 5 units

Required Courses

• SCIMEDIA 517-0: Skills and Careers in Science Writing is a graduate-level writing and communications course designed for STEM graduate students (PhD track) at Northwestern. The course focuses on techniques and best practices for science writing/communication. Students will learn editorial skills such as de-jargonizing their work, interviewing and social media principles, gain exposure to career possibilities, and hone their writing skills through authentic writing and editorial assignments focused on their own science. The course will provide a solid skills foundation for future pursuits in science writing and communication and develop media literacy skills in regard to science communication. This hands-on writing course is by application only.

• SCIMEDIA 518-0: Health and Science Reporting: In this writing and reporting workshop, students will learn what makes good science writing, how to find sources, interview and turn research into compelling, accurate journalism. Students will practice translating research journal articles into consumer news articles and pursue longer, more developed science storytelling. This course may be co-listed with journalism courses. Prerequisite: SCIMEDIA 517-0.

Elective Courses (3)

• Communicating Science Beyond Academia (EARTH 450-0/ISEN 495-0) or a similar graduate-level course approved by the MMaSC director that explores strategies for successful scientific communication from the perspective of those working in academic science.

• Any approved data visualization course that introduces fundamentals of data visualization, story telling, translating data for public audiences and graphic design. Currently approved courses include: COG SCI 460-0: Data Visualization and JOUR 425-3-21: Enterprise Reporting with Data.
• At least one (but not limited to one) elective from the Medill School of Journalism catalog. Prerequisites: SCIMEDIA 517-0 and SCIMEDIA 518-0.