University of California, Santa Cruz campus

Arts & Humanities

MS Science Communication at University of California, Santa Cruz

University of California, Santa Cruz, United States

Programme overview

The Science Communication MS is a one-track science writing programme for people with a science background who want to communicate science to general audiences. It trains students to report, write and edit articles on scientific, medical, environmental and technological subjects for newspapers, magazines, online outlets and agencies. The programme accepts 10 students per year.

Faculty: Physical and Biological Sciences Division  |  Department: Science Communication  |  Duration: 1 academic year full-time plus a minimum 10-week summer internship; 40 credits  |  Intake: Fall  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Location: Santa Cruz, CA, United States

What you will study

Six required courses cover Reporting and Writing Science News, The Science Feature, Profile and Essay Writing, Policy and Investigative Reporting, Multimedia Science News and a Writing and Editing Workshop, plus two part-time internships during the year. The capstone is a full-time 10-week professional internship; the degree is Plan II (non-thesis).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

UC Santa Cruz graduate admission: bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited university awarded before the entry quarter, a B average or better in the last two years of undergraduate coursework, and demonstrated English proficiency. Applicants whose first language is not English: TOEFL iBT minimum 83 (4.0 on the 2026 scale) or IELTS Academic overall 7; waiver may be requested by applicants with a four-year bachelor's degree from an English-speaking institution. GRE General and Subject tests not required. Transcripts and three letters of recommendation (up to five accepted). Programme eligibility: a prior degree in science or engineering (BS/BA, MS or PhD), full-time research experience of at least six months, and at least three references from faculty or supervisors familiar with the applicant's research and communication skills. Materials: resume, statement of purpose, personal history statement. Application deadline: January 16 (early deadline) and April 3. Application fee $135 domestic, $155 international.

Intake: Fall

Duration: 1 academic year full-time plus a minimum 10-week summer internship; 40 credits

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