Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars enrolled in any program at Syracuse University are invited to earn a Public Scholarship Certificate (PSC). Offered through the EHN and the Graduate School, the PSC recognizes commitments to ethical, publicly engaged research, creative work, teaching, and programming. The certificate assists graduate students and postdocs by encouraging, supporting, and showcasing work toward the public good and by documenting critical engagement in contexts across and beyond the academy. The certificate is also intended to help graduate students and postdocs set themselves apart in diverse and competitive job markets and graduate admissions processes in the case of Master’s students applying to doctoral programs.

To qualify for the PSC you must:

• Register to receive communications about PSC workshops, cohort meetings, and additional resources
• Participate in at least 3 PSC workshops per academic year for a two-year cycle (or 6 workshops for a one-year completion plan)
• Attend a semesterly PSC cohort meeting to discuss ongoing scholarship, community connections, and successes and challenges.
• Complete an engagement plan, approved by your academic program and mentor, to be reviewed by the EHN and Grad School. This plan will form the basis of your digital portfolio.
• Complete and submit a digital portfolio to showcase your publicly engaged work, including:
  • at least 4 reflections on connections between PSC workshops and your own publicly engaged work; theoretical and methodological frameworks for your work; and/or observations from the field, however defined. These pieces should help guide audiences through elements of your digital portfolio.
  • a personal statement/portfolio profile page describing your work as a publicly engaged scholar, teacher, artist, etc.
  • a video presentation on the role of publicly engaged research, creative work, and/or teaching in your scholarship and professionalization to be included in your digital portfolio

The certificate is conferred upon completion of all requirements and the subsequent submission of the digital portfolio and PSC Completion Form for review by the participants' faculty mentor, the Graduate School, and the EHN.

The PSC is designed to encourage at least 2 years of sustained engagement with participation in at least 3 workshops per active year, one PSC cohort reflection meeting per semester, and regular contact with a PSC mentor. However, students can earn the certification through a single year of sustained engagement in PSC programming, including participation in at least 6 PSC workshops over the course of the year and attendance at PSC cohort meetings. Students can pursue the certificate at any point in their graduate career and are welcome to participate in PSC activities beyond completion of the certificate.

Review adaptable PSC completion timelines and checklists.