BA Communication

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Washington

Program Overview

The BA in Communication at the University of Washington develops students' ability to understand, analyze, and create communication across interpersonal, public, organizational, mass-media, and digital contexts. It suits students interested in careers across media, marketing, public relations, technology, business, nonprofit organizations, education, research, and the arts, while combining communication literacy, inquiry, theory, and community engagement.

Curriculum Structure:

First Year:
Students typically begin with COM 200: Introduction to Communication, which introduces major theories and research approaches to relational, group, political, cultural, and international communication. COM 202: Introduction to Communication II further develops communication literacy, research inquiry, theories, concepts, and community engagement.

Second Year:
Students progress into more focused approaches to communication through the Methods and Theory requirements. Courses such as COM 382: Social Scientific Approaches to Communication Research, COM 375: Communication Ethics, and COM 377: Organizational Communication allow students to connect research methods and communication theory with contemporary issues.

Third Year:
Students move into upper-division Communication courses and can explore areas such as strategic communication, media, and public relations. Courses including COM 359: Writing for Mass Media, COM 444: Public Relations and Society, COM 452: Crisis Communications, and COM 471: Persuasion strengthen professional writing, strategic messaging, public relations, and persuasive communication skills.

Fourth Year:
Students complete advanced Communication coursework while refining their interests through upper-level electives. Options such as COM 420: Comparative Media Systems, COM 440: Mass Media Law, COM 468: Media Ethics, and COM 484: Cultural Codes in Communication allow students to examine media systems, legal and ethical issues, and communication across cultures.

Focus areas:

Communication Technology and Society, Rhetoric, Journalism Studies, Communication and Difference, Political Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Organizing and Structures, Media, Public Relations, Organizational Communication, Digital Communication.

Learning outcomes:

Communication literacy, critical inquiry, research skills, theoretical analysis, effective written and verbal communication, ethical communication, understanding diverse perspectives, media and communication analysis, community engagement, and lifelong learning.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The BA in Communication is offered through the University of Washington's College of Arts & Sciences. The official program materials do not identify a specialized professional accreditation for the general Communication major; instead, the program emphasizes transferable communication, analytical, research, digital-media, and professional skills.

Reputation (employability outcomes):

The University of Washington reports that 92% of students are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation, while 94% of recent graduates surveyed agree that their UW experience prepared them to achieve their career goals. The Department of Communication also reports 13 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to nine Communication alumni, demonstrating the program's strong alumni presence in professional communication fields.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UW Communication combines academic study with opportunities to develop professional communication skills through internships, media-production workshops, equipment access, student organizations, mentoring, and career exploration. Students can gain hands-on experience with multimedia tools, build professional portfolios, connect with alumni, and meet communication professionals across major media and business centers:

• UWCOM Professional Development Workshops — students can develop multimedia skills using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Audition, and Audacity.

• Audiovisual Equipment Checkout — the Department of Communication provides students with audiovisual equipment that can be borrowed for communication and media projects.

• Communication Building Facilities — professional development workshops take place in the Communication Building, providing an environment designed for communication and multimedia skill development.

• Communication Internships — internships allow students to apply communication knowledge in professional settings, develop work products, build contacts, and gain experience relevant to communication careers. Students can also receive UW elective credit through GEN ST 350 for demonstrated learning from an internship.

• Career Exploration Trips — selected students can travel to Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Seattle to tour facilities and meet professionals working in television production, journalism, public relations, nonprofit organizations, and other communication fields.

• Undergraduate Mentoring Program — Communication students can connect with Communication alumni who support their professional development and help them build career networks.

• Communication Research Facilities — department facilities include the Media Lab, News Lab, Observation Labs, Instructional Resources Center, and video-editing facilities, supporting media production and communication research.

• Communication Centers — students benefit from connections with the Dart Center, Center for Communication and Civic Engagement, and Center for Communication, Difference, and Equity.

• Public Relations Student Society of America — students interested in public relations can gain additional practical exposure through this student organization and related communication activities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BA in Communication provides a flexible foundation for careers that depend on strong writing, speaking, research, media, interpersonal, and strategic communication skills. UW identifies career pathways across journalism, entertainment, marketing, corporate and nonprofit leadership, public relations, technology, education, government, and the arts.

Typical roles include Public Relations Manager, Digital and Social Media Strategist, Corporate Communications Specialist, Marketing Communications Specialist.

• Career Kickstart — the department provides professional-development resources, alumni networks, career exploration trips, internships, media-production workshops, and career resources designed to help students explore and launch their professional journeys.

• UW Career & Internship Center — students receive support with finding and maximizing internships, career development, and employer connections. Registered UW students also receive free access to LinkedIn Learning for academic and career skill development.

• Employment outcomes — across UW, 92% of students are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation, while 94% of recent graduates surveyed say their UW experience prepared them for their career goals.

• Alumni career network — Communication alumni work as journalists, entertainment professionals, marketing specialists, corporate and nonprofit leaders, political and civil officials, educators, entrepreneurs, and other communication professionals.

• Professional networking — Career Exploration trips connect students with communication professionals and UW alumni in Seattle, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C., helping students explore industries and build professional relationships.

• Career-focused coursework — courses such as COM 444: Public Relations and Society, COM 452: Crisis Communications, COM 359: Writing for Mass Media, and COM 471: Persuasion develop skills directly relevant to strategic communication and professional messaging.

• Long-term professional value — the degree's combination of communication theory, research, writing, digital-media skills, critical thinking, and interpersonal communication provides a versatile foundation for evolving communication and technology industries.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into advanced study in Communication, Digital Media, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Media Studies, Organizational Communication, and related fields. Students can also pursue graduate study at the University of Washington through programs such as the MA and PhD in Communication and the professional Master of Communication pathways in areas including Communication Leadership, Communities and Networks, Digital Media, and Native Voices.