Preparing Professionals in Space Weather Science, Policy, and Communication: Minor and Graduate Certificate Programs at Millersville University

The National Space Policy includes guidance for inter-sector cooperation “to execute foundational activities and capabilities that strengthen U.S. leadership in space-related science, technology, and industrial bases through basic and applied research, and seek to create opportunities for the current space workforce and implement measures to develop, maintain, and retain skilled space professionals.” Independently, but in step with national and international initiatives, Millersville University has been investing resources in an academic minor in Heliophysics and Space Weather (HSW) at the undergraduate level, and a new certificate program in Space Weather and Environment: Science, Policy, and Communication at the graduate level.

The academic minor in HSW was developed primarily for students majoring in meteorology that they might earn the academic credential needed to pursue jobs or graduate studies in the space sciences, including space weather and helio/solar physics. The curriculum covers topics in wave and particle theory, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, statistical mechanics and space weather. About 10 percent of the 110 meteorology majors are earning the minor and several graduates of the program are pursuing or have completed advanced degrees in this field. Undergraduates in this program participate in space weather related research and attend the annual NOAA/NWS Space Weather Workshop and conferences on space weather at the annual meetings of the AMS and AGU.

Millersville University recently launched the Graduate Certificate in Space Weather and Environment: Science, Policy, and Communication. The program is intended to provide opportunities for deeper learning and professional development to those whose responsibilities involve issues and decisions related to space weather for which they seek additional training and certification. Professionals in operations, decision-support, military, commerce and industry, and communication can advance their understanding and broaden their proficiency in space weather through this fully online, five-course immersion into the origins, hazards, impacts, decision-support, and communication aspects of this field. The curriculum can be combined with additional coursework to earn an M.S. in Integrated Scientific Applications.