Find out how to apply and what we are looking for in PhD and MA/PhD communication program applicants.
Applications to the MA/PhD and PhD open on 1 September 2025. The closing date is December 1, 2025.
The UW Department of Communication PhD and MA/PhD graduate programs are built on four core principles: pluralism, interdisciplinary theorizing, collaboration, and public scholarship. These principles have shaped every facet of the programs, such as the core courses, committee structure, and admissions policy. Our graduate program’s strengths are emphasized in our seven areas of study.
We encourage you to apply to join our community of scholars.
Admission decisions are based primarily on these criteria:
a) applicants’ academic readiness for our rigorous PhD or MA/PhD program;
b) the clarity and strength of applicants’ articulations of their scholarly interests and rationale for applying to our PhD or MA/PhD program;
c) applicants’ understanding of, interest in, and potential to contribute to our program’s diverse intellectual community;
d) the level of alignment between an applicant’s scholarly interests and those of at least two of the Graduate Faculty who are available to mentor students in the incoming cohort.
These Graduate Faculty in Communication are currently available to mentor incoming graduate students in the 2026 cohort (subject to change):
Dr. Leah Ceccarelli, Dr. Amanda Friz, Dr. Carmen Gonzalez, Dr. Christine Harold, Dr. Benjamin Mako Hill, Dr. Matt McGarrity, Dr. Wang Liao, Dr. Patricia Moy, Dr. LeiLani Nishime, Dr. Katy Pearce, Dr. Matt Powers, Dr. Adrienne Russell, Dr. Timeka Tounsel, Dr. Doug Underwood
The Department of Communication accepts applications to its PhD and MA/PhD graduate programs for Autumn quarter entry only. The application due date for our application is December 1. If you have any questions about this information, please e-mail the Graduate Program Advisor at cmuadv@uw.edu.