The Department of Communication advances the study and practice of communication across a range of contexts, including face-to-face interactions, public discourse, mass media, and digital media. Our research and teaching enhance critical awareness of communication's role in an increasingly global society.
Undergraduate study in communication at the University of Washington has four foundations: communication literacy, communication inquiry, theory and concepts, and community engagement. We teach our students to think critically, respect diversity, communicate effectively, and develop the skills needed for the life-long learning that is central to successful careers and rewarding lives. We work actively to enroll a diverse set of students in our courses and in the major: almost half of Communication majors are students of color, and students come from all over Washington and even the world to study in this program.
The educational mission of undergraduate study in the Department of Communication is to prepare students for the challenges of a society that is informed, entertained, persuaded, and shaped by communication. We seek out and appeal to students from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. We nurture socially responsible, literate citizens who can interpret and evaluate the images and messages they create and receive. We teach students to think critically, respect diversity, communicate effectively, and develop the skills needed for the life-long learning that is central to successful careers and rewarding lives. Undergraduate study in communication at the University of Washington has four pedagogical emphases: communication literacy, communication inquiry, theory and concepts, and community engagement. The department integrates these to create a curriculum that helps students become thoughtful, informed, and articulate citizens.
Suggested First- or Second-Year College Courses: COM 200 and one additional COM 200-level course
50 credits
Of the 50 required credits specified above, at least 25 must be Communication courses at the 300 level or above, and of those 25, at least 10 must be Communication courses at the 400 level (excluding COM 498/COM 499). In addition, of the 50 required credits specified above, only 10 credits may be from courses offered outside the Department of Communication, unless approved by a departmental adviser.
The Journalism Program is an undergraduate emphasis area within the Department of Communication. The mission of our program is to help students develop strong analytical and communication skills for careers in digital and traditional media. At the program’s core is our commitment to educating journalism students about content creation, content curation and audience engagement for the many “platforms” now used to distribute news and information. We embrace a digital-first philosophy, even as we remain committed to teaching fundamental journalistic values and techniques, such as accurate information gathering, excellent writing, sound ethical decision-making and valuable public service. Our faculty seeks to instill in students the entrepreneurial spirit required to succeed in today’s media environment. Through courses such as News Lab, we offer immersion experiences that force our students to grapple with real-world challenges.
Minimum 55 credits
Student Outcomes and Opportunities
Contact department for requirements.
102 total credits, at least 25 credits (not including COM 600 or 800) must be 500-level or above.
Prior master's degree (required to enter PhD program) will count for 30 credits, per Graduate School policy.
Students who completed their MA in Communication at the UW do not repeat the core courses, and need only 30 post-master credits, which may include COM 600 credits, and 3 credits of COM 594 in three different topics. Such students take two methods courses beyond the minimum methods course requirements for the MA degree. COM 594 credits and additional methods courses beyond the minimum MA requirements taken during MA work may fulfill the COM 594 and methods requirements for the doctoral program, but may not be applied to the 30 post-master credits.
Research Facilities: In addition to the University's research facilities available to all students, the department houses a collection of specialized research laboratories, including the Digital Media Lab, Graduate Computer Lab, Observational Research Facility, Instructional Resources Center, and Video Editing Lab.
Graduate study is guided by four related principles: intellectual and cultural pluralism, interdisciplinary theorizing, collaboration, and public scholarship. Coursework brings together humanistic and social scientific intellectual traditions through a unified core curriculum and a wide selection of graduate seminars. Research and teaching focus on six interrelated areas: communication and culture; communication technology and society; international communication; social interaction; political communication; and rhetoric and critical studies. The MA provides training in research and scholarship and can be either preparation for doctoral study or a terminal degree. The MA requires a minimum 45 credits of approved coursework and a research thesis.
Please visit this program's Graduate Admissions page for requirements.
Minimum 45 credits. At least 25 of these credits (not including COM 700) must be 500- or 600-level.
The department offers three MC degrees, each of which has specific requirements tailored to that degree. The general MC degree is targeted for mid-career communication professionals who seek to develop an understanding of communication theory related to a special area of interest. The MC in digital media is a professional degree focused on digital media content creation, management, and policy. Native Voices is an MC degree offered in conjunction with American Indian Studies, designed for documentary filmmakers who focus their work on subjects relevant to the Native American community.
Please visit this program's Graduate Admissions page for requirements.
60 credits
45 credits
Minimum 45 credits
Research Facilities: In addition to the University's research facilities available to all students, the department houses a collection of specialized research laboratories, including the Digital Media Lab, Graduate Computer Lab, Observational Research Facility, Instructional Resources Center, and Video Editing Lab.