MS in Public Engagement

The MS in Public Engagement in Science, Design and Communication trains students through real-world projects to research, critically analyze and communicate information and technology to diverse communities. Partnerships with local Socorro and New Mexico state organizations provide STEM-based education with an industry and nonprofit twist that will help students enter the workforce upon graduation.

“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)

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

Learn More

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.

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. They will practice using communication platforms like blogs, videos, or podcasts to conduct outreach. Students will learn how to listen to diverse publics online and offline, developing skills in such as social media analytics or brand monitoring.

Sample Departmental Electives

Communication in the Sciences

Professional Public Speaking

Ecotopia: The Intersection of Science and Ecology Writing

Ethics in Computer Science and Information Technologies

Philosophy of Science

Science and Technology Policy

Data Visualization

Design Thinking for Innovation Lab

Documentation and Client Project Management

International Professional Communication

Persuasive Communication and Grant Writing
Advanced Grant Writing

Risk, Crisis, and Nonprofit Communication

Rhetoric and Video Game Design

Science Writing
Writing and Community Engagement