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Citizen and Community Science, Graduate Certificate - Post Bacc - GRAD, UNH
Graduate
Citizen and Community Science
Develop competencies in both the theory and practice behind robust and authentic citizen and community science projects in a natural resource management setting.
2026
Degree
Certificate
Location
Durham, NH
Courses
5
Credit
12 hrs.
Full-time
Varies
Part-time
Varies
Marine Science and Ocean Engineering
The UNH graduate certificate in Citizen and Community Science offers students and professionals the opportunity to develop competencies in both the theory and practice behind robust and authentic citizen and community science projects in a natural resource management setting.
Key Links
Contact Cards
Sr. Fellow, Coastal Policy and Engagement, Associate Director, N.H. Sea Grant
Morse Hall, Durham, NH 03824
Why get a graduate certificate in citizen and community science?
The emerging fields of citizen science and community science have expanded in recent years, providing new connections between scientific research and community decision-making. With the expansion of the use of and opportunities for citizen and community science, dedicated study through a graduate certificate enables students to focus on conducting robust and authentic citizen and community science projects. It will help students understand both the theory and practice behind this work, including best practices for effective design of projects and teams including data management and sharing, partnering with volunteers, audience motivation and engagement, and issues of social justice in citizen science.
Why study citizen and community science at UNH?
UNH houses extensive research and partnership infrastructure to support students and professionals with interests in conducting robust and authentic citizen and community science projects. This graduate certificate provides a bridge across existing UNH graduate course offerings paired with the significant applied expertise found in UNH Cooperative Extension and New Hampshire Sea Grant. Those who complete the certificate will be prepared for a range of careers, given the focus on preparing students to work in and interact with a variety of organizations.
Potential career areas
- University teaching/research
- Community engagement through science
- Cooperative Extension (bridging academic and community settings)
- Non-profit sector community science coordinator
- Natural resource management
- Science education
- Environmental consulting
Curriculum & Requirements
Program Description
Program Description
The UNH Graduate Certificate in Citizen and Community Science offers students the opportunity to develop competencies in both the theory and practice behind robust and authentic citizen and community science projects in a natural resource management setting. This certificate is appropriate for a wide range of students and professionals with interests in developing competencies related to project design and implementation, best practices for effective projects and teams, volunteer engagement, methods for data sharing, and issues of social justice in citizen science. The certificate can be pursued as a stand-alone credential or in concert with another degree at UNH. Part-time and hybrid pathways through the certificate are available.
Requirements for the Program
Requirements for the Program
The Citizen and Community Science Certificate requires a minimum of 12 credits. Coursework includes one required core class, a seminar requirement, at least six credits of electives, and one required practicum.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| GRAD 834 | Fundamentals of Citizen and Community Science | 3 |
| MARI 801 | Coastal Resource Management and Policy Seminar (to be taken twice) | 1 |
| MARI 901 | Resource Management and Policy Practicum | 1 |
| Electives 1 | ||
| Select one natural science, social science, or engineering course from the following: | 3-4 | |
CEE 822 | Introduction to Marine Pollution and Control | |
CEE 833 | Public Infrastructure Asset Management | |
CEE 858 | Stormwater Management Designs | |
ECON 908 | Environmental Economics: Theory and Policy | |
ECON 909 | Environmental Valuation | |
ESCI 871 | Positioning for Ocean Mapping | |
ME 817 | Marine Robotics and Applications | |
NR 843 | Addressing Arctic Challenges I | |
OE 854 | Ocean Waves and Tides | |
OE 857 | Coastal Engineering and Processes | |
OE 858 | Design of Ocean Structures | |
PHP 902 | Environmental Health | |
PPOL 904 | Economics for Public Policy | |
PPOL 908 | Quantitative Methods for Policy Research | |
SOC 825 | Social Demography | |
SOC 830 | Communities and the Environment | |
SOC 901 | Sociological Methods I: Intermediate Social Statistics | |
| Select one resource management course from the following: | 3-4 | |
BIOL 950 | Scientific Communication | |
GRAD 844 | Fundamentals of Stakeholder and Community Engagement in Natural Resource Management | |
MARI 805 | Introduction to Coastal and Marine Policy: Understanding US Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Policy | |
MEFB 847 | Aquatic Plants in Restoration/Management | |
NR 803 | Watershed Water Quality Management | |
NR 824 | Resolving Environmental Conflicts | |
NR 947 | Ecosystem Science: Theory, Practice, and Management Applications for Sustainability | |
PA 804 | Policy and Program Evaluation | |
PPOL 904 | Economics for Public Policy | |
- 1
See advisor about additional course options.