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Communication

College of Arts & Sciences

Undergraduate study in communication at the UW 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 lifelong learning that is central to successful careers and rewarding lives. We nurture socially responsible, literate citizens who can interpret and evaluate the images and messages they create and receive. Graduates of the department pursue careers in a variety of fields such as business, journalism, media and communication, marketing, technology, education, nonprofit, research and the arts.

Major category: Capacity-constrained

Curricular options: Journalism & Public Interest Communication

Topic(s): Social sciences

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Degree requirements

Applicant type

Applicant type

Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)

Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).

Communication is a capacity-constrained major. An additional application is required after you enroll at the UW, and admission may be competitive. Visit the department website for more information.

Quarters of general admission to UW: autumn / winter (U.S. applicants only) / spring / summer

Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.

  • Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
  • Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
  • Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
  • UW college and school graduation requirements

Department admission information

Please contact the department for details about the application process.

This major is capacity-constrained. Completion of prerequisites does not guarantee admission.
  • In order to be eligible to apply to the Communication major, students must complete a minimum of 10 quarter credits of COM (Communications), including a minimum grade of 2.5 in both COM 200 and a second COM 200-level course.
  • Minimum GPA of 2.50 in COM (Communications) and all college coursework, including transfer credits, guarantees consideration but not acceptance.
  • Students are admitted quarterly in autumn, winter and spring. Applications are due one week after the quarter begins.
  • Transfer students can apply to the Admissions Office and the major for the same quarter. Find more information visit the Communication’s website.

Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.

Courses required for the major:

  • COM 200 A&H SSc – Introduction to Communication
  • COM 200 – level course

Entering transfer information:

Total undergraduates: 570
Total from Washington community colleges: 110

Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):

3.75 – 4.00: 46
3.50 – 3.74: 16
3.25 – 3.49: 21
3.00 – 3.24: 13
2.75 – 2.99: 6
2.50 – 2.74: <5
2.49 and below: <5

Career outcomes

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See list of all majors