W
University of Washington
Communication student

Admissions

Graduate Admissions

The UW Department of Communication graduate program is built on four core principles: pluralism, interdisciplinary theorizing, collaboration, and public scholarship. These principles have shaped every facet of the program, such as the core courses, committee structure, and admissions policy.

Our graduate program’s strengths are emphasized in our seven areas of study:

These do not represent formal distinctions between different courses, faculty, or programs. Most students and faculty work simultaneously in more than one area of study. We have highlighted these simply to showcase the areas of research and teaching in which our faculty and students excel.

We encourage you to apply to join our community of scholars.

Overview for Prospective Applicants

The Communication Department web site contains comprehensive information about our graduate program. Below you will find a brief overview of information most relevant to prospective applicants.

U.S. applicants

Admissions guidelines for U.S. applicants (citizens and permanent residents).

International applicants

Admissions guidelines for international applicants.

Diversity

The Department of Communication firmly believes a welcoming climate improves and enriches the academic environment for all students.

Application Statistics

Each year, we keep statistics on the average GPAs and test scores for those students we accept for admission to our graduate program.

Graduate Program Policies

Here you can view the core principles of our program, key courses in our curriculum, our areas of study, and requirements for completing the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees.

The M.A. degree at the University of Washington is an academic degree. M.A. students in the Department of Communication learn valuable research and analytic skills and produce high-quality master's theses. Though some students choose to complete their graduate studies with the master's degree, most continue their studies to seek the Ph.D. The M.A. is not designed to be a professional degree for those seeking a career in journalism, public relations, marketing, or counseling, and there are many other colleges and universities that offer such degrees.

The three M.C. degrees offered by the department do, however, offer a professional focus, though each has a specialized purpose.

Financial Aid and Funding from the Department

Information on merit-based Teaching and Research Assistant positions as well as need-based financial aid. Learn more about graduate school expenses at the UW >>

Information on our Current Students

One of the best ways to learn about our department is to take a look at the interests of our current students, their work, and the theses and dissertations of past students. Exit surveys show how our graduates feel about their experience in our program.

Contact

If you still have questions after reviewing our web site and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, contact Graduate Program Adviser Mary McGhee at cmuadv@uw.edu or (206) 543-8860.

Undergraduate Admissions

The Department of Communication offers the following programs of study for undergraduates: