MS in Public Engagement

The MS in Public Engagement in Science, Design and Communication trains students to research, analyze, and communicate with diverse communities. NMT partners with local Socorro and New Mexico state organizations to provide hands-on STEM-based education. The program will well prepare students for the workforce through direct work with local industry and non-profits. Contact Dr. Elisabeth Kramer-Simpson for more information.

“Individuals coming into the workforce with the ability to collaborate on strategic business and research initiatives in STEM-related fields will be highly beneficial to existing technology companies and institutions”

-Deborah L. Breitfeld, CEcD, New Mexico Technology Council (NMTC)

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Students in this proposed program may follow four pathways through the program, or may construct a path that meets their own career objectives:

Communication, branding, and project management for nonprofits and small businesses
Science Communication, policy, and public outreach
User experience (UX/UI) research and design
STEM Career Promotion and Advancement

Program details

Core Courses

Applied Research Methods

This practice-based seminar gives students a thorough background in Humanities research methods including quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, and user experience research. Students will create and perform pilot studies and will become familiar with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) submission and approval process for performing university-sanctioned research. Students will understand how to apply research methods and how to design and interpret studies that collect relevant, accurate, and useful data.

Communication, Product, and Experiential Design

This course teaches students the principles and practices of experience and information design. Students examine design case studies. They develop and test research-based multidisciplinary, iterative design projects. Through these projects, students learn how to synthesize the principles of design thinking, functionality, aesthetics, usability, and accessibility to meet the needs of users and organizations.

Ethical and Social Issues in Science and Technology

This seminar examines how values influence STEM research as well as the ethics and politics of STEM communication and policy. Students will gain practical skills in ethics relevant to their professional work, analyzing how research, design, communication, and policy decisions may incorporate, or fail to incorporate, diverse stakeholders’ interests. The course explores barriers and power relationships that can prevent certain groups from enjoying the full benefits of scientific and technological change. Assignments will challenge students to operate as public-responsible researchers or communicators and ask them to consider how products and policies can challenge inequality and promote the common good. Pre-req: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. Shares lectures with PHIL 4042, but has additional expectations for graduate credit.

Media, Communication, and Public Engagement

This practice-based course trains students to communicate and engage with publics effectively in a variety of print and online genres and media. Students will learn how to communicate concepts from STEM fields to stakeholders such as policymakers and diverse publics. Students will learn the basics of content strategy and content auditing. Students will learn to revise and reuse content for different channels such as websites and social media. Students will learn how to listen to diverse publics online and offline, developing skills in branding and audience analysis.

Sample Departmental Electives

Advanced Grant Writing TCOM 5089/4089
Communication in the Sciences COMM 5075
Cybersecurity Ethics and Law PHIL 4082 and CYBS 5002
Science and Technology Policy PS 571
Data Visualization
Design Thinking for Innovation Lab TCOM 404/504
Documentation and Client Project Management TCOM
4021/5021
International Professional Communication TCOM 416/516
Latin America and the Environment HUMN 5089
Methods for Videogame Research TCOM 4008/5008
Persuasive Communication and Grant Writing TCOM 4011/5011
Risk, Crisis, and Nonprofit Communication TCOM 330
Rhetoric and Video Games TCOM 4003/5003
Science Writing TCOM 4005/5005
Social Justice TCOM 4007/5007
Special Topics in the History of Design ARTH 4089
User Experience Research TCOM 4089
Writing and Community Engagement

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to

Communicate responsibly and effectively with diverse public audiences, stakeholders and policy makers, emphasizing clarity and promoting dialogue.
Develop and manage research projects, communicate compellingly with stakeholders of varying technical backgrounds, ages and cultural backgrounds, and educate project collaborators.
Employ communication and design technologies and social media platforms in professional environments effectively and responsibly.
Critically analyze potential impacts and risks of new developments, technologies, and policies in their professional work.
Critically analyze technologies and designs and thoughtfully develop designs and technologies that maximize accessibility and best meet the needs of industry and users.
Employ humanistic approaches to analysis and design as well as quantitative and qualitative research methods from STEM fields to thoughtfully consider social implications of STEM research, design, and technology.