Frequently Asked Questions
Our Ph.D. students come from a variety of professional experiences and academic backgrounds, such as information science, computer science, library services, law, and information technology. Our Ph.D. program is a theoretical, research-based doctorate that focuses on creating and advancing new knowledge that will make a significant, positive difference. Refer to our Ph.D. overview for more information.
The program is designed to be completed full-time in approximately 4 years. The coursework component takes approximately 2 years (full-time), and the time to complete the dissertation, while it varies with individuals, might typically take 2-3 additional years.
No. (Please note that our program does not currently offer an exit master's degree.)
All Ph.D. applicants admitted to the iSchool are considered for funding, regardless of citizenship. The majority of this funding comes in the form of Graduate Student Appointments. Graduate Appointees receive a monthly stipend, tuition waiver, and health care insurance in return for approximately 20 hours of work per week. Some doctoral students receive Research Assistantships with individual faculty members, while others receive fellowships available to specific populations.
U.S. citizens and eligible permanent residents who require financial assistance are also encouraged to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). International applicants are not eligible to submit the FAFSA.
The deadline for U.S. citizens and permanent residents to apply to the Ph.D. program is December 15. The deadline for international applicants is November 1. All materials must be received on or before the deadline for full consideration. Refer to our admissions information for full details.
No. The Ph.D. program admits students once a year for autumn quarter only. Refer to our admissions information for full details.
Yes. When taking the GRE, use the Education Testing Service (ETS) institution code 4854 (University of Washington). Applicants with an earned doctorate (PhD, MD, JD, etc) are not required to submit GRE scores.
No. We do not accept the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) scores for our Ph.D. program.
The UW Graduate School requires the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score report from international applicants and non-U.S. citizen applicants whose native language is not English. TOEFL score reports must be no more than 2 years old.
Citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom are exempt from the TOEFL requirement. Applicants who have received a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States or one of the above-listed countries are also exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
The Ph.D. admission committee will begin to review applications soon after the deadline. We generally notify applicants of their admission decision by mid-March.