Risk Communication, Certificate
Build skills in risk communication, crisis communication, public affairs and public relations that apply across government, nonprofit and private-sector settings. Explore how communities and policymakers respond to environmental and public-risk challenges through communication.
Quick facts
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Credits
Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
Risk Communication undergraduate certificate description
The rising importance of the field of risk communication stems from the need to name, understand and manage physical and social risks as society is faced with increasingly challenging decisions concerning stressed social and environmental infrastructures.
Your proficiency in risk communication requires understanding the complex interfaces of physical, biological, psychological and social systems. In response, the certificate program in risk communication trains you in risk communication by combining the strengths of the four schools within the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences: the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences; the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences; the School of Interdisciplinary Forensics; and the School of Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies.
Why earn a risk communication undergraduate certificate at ASU?
Many communication programs concentrate mainly on messaging and media, while many environmental programs concentrate mainly on scientific content. This certificate combines both perspectives by bringing together communication, environmental science, ethics and policy.
Additional details
This undergraduate certificate is connected to CommLab ASU.
Courses
This undergraduate certificate includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The certificate requires 15 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the certificate, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
|
The certificate in risk communication consists of 15 credit hours of coursework, of which 12 hours must be upper division. A minimum of six upper-division credit hours must be earned through courses offered by the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. All courses used to satisfy requirements for the certificate must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better. |
||
|
COM 415 Risk Communication
(SOBE)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
ENV 201 Fundamentals of Environmental Science
(SUST)
or
BIO 130 Introduction to Environmental Science
(SCIT)
3 - 4 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 - 4 |
|
9 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 9 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
|
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Evaluate a real-world risk assessment based on best practices from risk communication and assessment scholarship.
- Construct a crisis communication plan that incorporates best practices from crisis communication scholarship.
Evaluate a real-world risk assessment based on best practices from risk communication and assessment scholarship. Enrollment requirements
This certificate is open to students in any major. Students who wish to pursue this certificate should consult an academic advisor in the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences or the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences to ensure that the appropriate set of courses is taken.
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before an undergraduate degree is completed. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Here are the admission and application details
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this risk communication undergraduate certificate prepares you for
Graduates are prepared for a variety of careers in risk management, crisis communications and environmental public affairs. Specifically, graduates are suited to work as risk management specialists and environmental advocates, and they are prepared to translate complex scientific ideas and analyses into information that can be evaluated meaningfully by all members of society.
Graduates work in local government agencies and public relations organizations, and in law enforcement, advertising, marketing and insurance.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
and
School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences
|
FAB N101
sbsadvising@asu.edu
602-543-3000
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
