W
University of Washington
Graduate student

Graduate study

The Department of Communication offers five different graduate degrees for students interested in exploring the meaning, significance, and process of communication.

M.A. and Ph.D. programs

The majority of the graduate students in the department pursue M.A. and/or Ph.D. degrees. Students without an M.A. degree in communication or a related field should apply to the M.A. program or to the M.A./Ph.D. program (in which students receive an M.A. on the way to getting a Ph.D.).  Students with an M.A. degree in communication or a related field must apply directly to our Ph.D. program.

The Communication Department also offers three different professional Master of Communication (M.C.) degrees, each of which has specific requirements tailored to a different purpose.

Master of Communication

This degree is targeted for mid-career communication professionals (broadly defined to include not only journalists, but also mediators, public information officers, public relation specialists, etc.) who seek to enhance their professional competence by developing their understanding of communication theory and a special area of interest, such as environmental science, business and economics, law, politics, the arts, health and medicine, or urban affairs. Publishable manuscripts or broadcast-quality media projects must be completed while in residency. Only 1-4 students are enrolled at any given time.

Native Voices Master of Communication

Requires 45 credits, including project and oral presentation of project. This degree is a more narrowly focused M.C., and it is jointly sponsored by the Department of Communication and American Indian Studies. It is designed for documentary filmmakers who focus their work on subjects that have special relevance to the Native American community. Visit the Native Voices web site for more information or contact Daniel Hart at dhart@uw.edu.

Master of Communication in Digital Media

This 45-credit degree program gives professionals the tools to understand the fast-changing world of media technology and distribution. MCDM students study the economic, political, social and cultural impact of communication technologies. Classes meet in the evening to fit the schedule of working professionals. Most students are mid-career professionals, though no digital media work experience is required. The program is jointly offered through UW Educational Outreach, which has tuition rates that differ from those of daytime programs.