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.
International applicants are strongly encouraged to check the Graduate School's Preliminary Evaluation Process for a detailed explanation of requirements for international students.
The deadline for U.S. citizens and permanent residents to apply to the Ph.D. program is January 5th. The deadline for international applicants is November 1st. 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) and department code 4701 (Information Science). Applicants with an earned doctorate (PhD, MD, JD, etc) are not required to submit GRE scores. In extraordinary circumstances applicants who do not meet this criteria may request a waiver of the GRE. Please submit your request with your application.
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 or master'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 January 5th deadline. Selected applicants will be invited to visit the UW campus and participate in an in-person interview, usually in late February or early March. Visitors receive a travel reimbursement of approximately $300. The visit typically includes a program overview by the Dean and Program Chair, faculty research sharing, meetings with current students, facilities tour, and research interest-group meetings. We strongly encourage applicants to visit and to interview in person. Applicants who are unable to attend may interview by teleconference. Admission decisions are made soon after the interview process is completed. We generally notify applicants of their admission decision by mid-March.