Communicate. Contribute. Conserve!
From land and energy development to biodiversity loss and climate change, significant threats loom for people, plants, wildlife, and places across the planet. In addition to addressing these challenges in the field, scientists and conservation practitioners also face crucial challenges in communicating conservation and fostering action among community members, policymakers, industry officials, and media.
The online Graduate Certificate in Communications for Conservation at Colorado State University offers conservation practitioners and communicators a holistic, accelerated program for learning ideas, skills, and tools to communicate and engage with a wide range of public stakeholders, including media and communications specialists, decision-makers and thought leaders, other scientists, and the general public.
An accelerated, 12-credit program that can be completed in as quick as nine months or on a timeline fit for you!
Fall Application Deadline: July 15th
Spring Application Deadline: December 1st
Delivery
The Online Graduate Certificate in Communications for Conservation offered through Colorado State University Online is designed for professionals needing a flexible schedule. Each course is delivered asynchronously via a sophisticated, online interactive learning platform that includes narrated presentations, discussion groups, and a range of multi-media content, including video interviews and discussions with agency professionals and industry experts. The courses are set up to encourage student interaction and engagement that will aid in building a network to last a lifetime.
Coursework
This program consists of six two-credit, graduate-level courses that can be completed at a pace that fits your career and life. Each course is an eight-week accelerated program of study focused specifically on key areas of knowledge for successful communications within conservation management and science. This encompasses fundamental communications concepts, media literacy and relations, digital and social media engagement, strategic communications planning and messaging, crisis communications, message and product development and implementation, and further topics. For the full curriculum, click here.
Faculty
Faculty for the Communications in Conservation graduate certificate have both academic knowledge and real-world, practical experiences in communications and media engagement. They have also worked closely with communications researchers and specialists, conservation practitioners and scientists, and communications experts from industry, government, and other fields to develop and deliver a holistic program that reflects established and emerging ideas and practices in communications for conservation.
Jamie Dahl, PhD, (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Department at Colorado State University. Her research focuses on inclusion and engagement within the natural resource professions. Her career has centered on outreach, communication, and engagement within environmental disciplines. Previous professional experience include outreach and extension, forest management, volunteer management, training, career coaching, and research consulting. She has been an active member of the Society of American Foresters for over 20 years and serves as an advisor to SAF’s Diversity and Inclusion Working Group. Jamie is also an active Project Learning Tree Facilitator.
Industry Voices
This graduate certificate addresses a recognized need among conservation practitioners, state and federal agency professionals, and other environmental professionals for graduate-level education focused on communications concepts and practices. Recent surveys and studies demonstrate significant interest and need for greater communication and engagement on conservation challenges.
Alumni Careers
Since our first graduation class in 2020, the program has seen professionals across careers in conservancy organizations, magazine writers, government agencies, filmmakers, and more! For testimonials on our program and to see more information on our alumni, check out our Alumni Spotlights page.
Application Process
Students can begin the program in either the spring or fall semester. Applications are reviewed as they are received. You can expect to be notified of your application status within two weeks of submitting all application materials.
To learn more about the application process, click here.
Note: there is a $60 application fee and all courses are $794 a credit.
DEADLINES:
Fall semester – July 15
Spring semester – Dec 1
