Skip to navigation Skip to main content
Explore UAB

Colleges & Schools

Graduate School

Research Communication Graduate Certificate

The Research Communication (RECM) graduate certificate develops participant’s written, oral, and visual communication skills required for engaging various audiences around scientific and technical topics.  Certificate courses explore science and research communication, effective presentations, writing strategies for specialist and non-specialist audiences, and relationship building capacities for effective problem-solving. 

Why Research Communication?

The Research Communication certificate provides the skills and capacities needed to communicate complex research findings and implications to experts, generalists, and novices. Completing this certificate prepares participants for any field requiring effective communication, including those inside and outside academia.

Who Will Benefit from RECM courses?

Anyone who wants to improve their communication skills and be more critical about the messages they receive and produce.  The certificate is relevant for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and employees invested in effective communication and problem solving.  

Questions?

  • Course Details

    The RECM graduate certificate can be completed within four or five semesters depending on elective preferences and enrollment in more than one course per semester.

    Required Course (9 credit hours) Name Credit Hours Offered
    RECM 701 Oral and Visual Communication 3 CH Spring
    RECM 722  Storytelling for Research Communication 3 CH Spring, Summer
    RECM 739 Research Communication Portfolio 3 CH Fall
    Elective (6 credit hours) Name Credit Hours Offered
     RECM 727  Writing and Reviewing Research 3 CH Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    RECM 729 Writing Your Journal Article in 12 Weeks 3 CH Summer
    RECM 745 Communication and Diverse Audiences 3 CH Fall
    GRD 709 Writing Fellowships 3 CH Spring
    *RLM 706, RECM 707, RECM 708, GRD 713, GRD 735 may substitute for one, 3 credit-hour requirement. 3 CH  
    Total Credit Hours 15 CH  

     

    Electives from Other Departments
    Elective Name Credit Hours Offered
    CM 603 Message Construction   Varies
    CM 604 Audience Analysis   Varies
    EH 502 Writing in Popular Periodicals   Varies
    EH 503 Business Writing   Varies
    EH 504 Technical Writing   Varies
    EH 556 Visual Rhetoric   Varies
    EH 557 Writing and Medicine   Varies
    MBA 616 Web Analytics   Varies
    MBA 655 Digtial Marketing Strategy   Varies

     

    Course Planning
    Term Fall Start Spring Start Summer Start
    Fall Elective    
    Spring RECM 701 and RECM 722 RECM 701 and RECM 722  
    Summer RECM 722 or Elective RECM 722 or Elective RECM 722
    Fall RECM 739 RECM 739 Elective
    Spring GRD 701 or Elective RECM 701 or Elective RECM 701
    Summer   Elective Elective
    Fall     RECM 739

    Schedules subject to change. Please check with program director for options during a specific semester.

  • Credit Towards Master's Degrees

    This graduate certificate may be incorporated into the MS or MA in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies (IGS). Learn more about IGS.

  • Admission Requirements
    • IGPS certificates are open to any graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, or UAB employee with a bachelor’s degree (minimum 2.5 GPA from an accredited institution).  
    • Current graduate students or postdoctoral fellows in good academic standing may enroll in IGPS courses without prior approval.  
    • Current undergraduate UAB students must have at least 60 earned hours with a 3.0 GPA to enroll in IGPS courses.  
  • Application Checklist

    Admission to the Research and Science Communication graduate certificate (RECM) is based on previous academic work and your personal statement. To apply, you will need: 

    • An updated resume and/or CV. 
    • A personal statement (300-500 words) that outlines your interest in the certificate. For RECM, discuss how this program will contribute to achieving your professional, academic, and personal goals, and elaborate on your interest in research and science communication. Use the personal statement to explain your motivations and aspirations for pursuing this certificate. 
    • Official copies of academic transcripts to include in your application; you may submit copies with your application and submit official transcript later.  
    • Completed online application and the required fee.  

    Existing graduate students pursuing a master's degree or higher may add the certificate to their program using the Change/Update Program Form.  

  • You're Admitted -- Next Steps
    • New students: Visit the New Students to UAB page. 
    • Current students: Reach out to your program director to determine which classes to take and upcoming orientation. 
    • Questions: Email igps@uab.edu or the program contact.  
  • Frequently Asked Questions

    What are the admissions requirements for RECM?

    An earned bachelor’s degree (minimum 2.5 GPA) from a regionally accredited college or university, a resume/CV, personal statement, and transcripts. See the Application Checklist for full details of requirements.

    Students currently enrolled in a master’s degree or above may add the certificate to their current degree program. 

    Is the RECM certificate an academic credential? 

    Yes. The certificate is an academic credential that will appear on your academic transcript.  Courses can be used for the IGS Master’s degree. 

    Can undergraduate students take RECM courses?

    Yes, with permission of the program director and your academic advisor.

    Can a student take RECM courses if not enrolled in the RECM certificate program?

    Yes. You do not need to be admitted to the certificate to take courses. Anyone in the following groups may enroll:

    • Undergraduate Jr. & Sr.
    • Non-degree seeking, postbaccalaureate 
    • Graduate students enrolled in other programs
    • Postdoctoral fellows
    • UAB employees
    • UAB faculty
    • Community members

    If you are not a current degree-seeking student, you will need to apply to as a non-degree seeking graduate student to enroll in courses. 

    Can UAB employees use the tuition benefit to pay for RECM courses?

    Yes. Current UAB employees may use the tuition benefits to take courses. Current UAB employees may take individual classes based on their interest and professional goals.  They may also apply to complete the certificate.Contact benefits@uab.edu for more information on educational benefits.

Back to Top