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Classes are designed to challenge your thinking and develop your professional skills. You’ll leave each class with a unique set of tools to approach new communications challenges.

Tailor your experience to your career goals by focusing on one of eight areas of specialization. Use the search widget below to sort classes by quarter, specialization, instructor and degree track for each quarter. Get a comprehensive view of the full academic year in our Course Guide.

View the University of Washington Academic Calendar for important dates, including quarter start and end dates, registration dates and deadlines, and campus holidays.

Registration numbers (SLNs) are located on the Time Schedule. Please read the Department’s statement on internet resource requirements for access to courses.

COMMLD 594: Capstone Preparation: Research and Development

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | Meets Research Methods Requirement | 3 Credits
Mondays 1/4 – 3/15, 6:00pm – 8:20pm | Room on Time Schedule

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COMMLD 590A: Quantitative Methods for Communications Research

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | Meets Research Methods Requirement | 5 Credits
Tuesdays 1/5 – 3/9, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule

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COMMLD 580A Communicating the Future with Scenario Planning

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

MCDM Elective | 5 Credits
Thursdays 1/7 – 3/11, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule

Course Description

This course exposes learners to the strategic storytelling techniques that businesses, governments and non not-for-profits use to explore possible futures. 

Scenarios provide organizations the tools they need to anticipate and navigate the future by developing multiple paths along which the future might unfold. Rather than looking at the world through the lens of what we know, scenario planning starts with uncertainties: Social, technological, economic, environmental and political forces that will evolve over the next several years in unknowable ways. This helps organizations prepare for many eventualities (some which they may not like) because they will be able to see opportunities, mitigate risks, and work toward enabling futures that align with their missions and values.

The course will teach learners how to develop scenarios, how to use them within organizations for strategy and storytelling. Each student will choose an area of interest as an overlay atop a generalized set of futures so they personally understand the power of starting a story with “I don’t know” and using that as a lever to co-create plausible futures that could be. Students will leave the course as scenario planning practitioners, a valuable skill for any leader in an uncertain world.

For more information: Scenario Planning and Communications: How Does Scenario Planning Apply to Communications Jobs?

I went into Scenario Planning as a marketer and left as a strategic storyteller. Dan taught us to look into the future and fashion a whole story out of it, in scenarios and contexts I otherwise wouldn’t have imagined. It also trains you to think of the future beyond just a linear eventuality to help prepare for it in the best way possible. Personally, the application of what I learned was beyond a business context, and I can say this – it helped all of us look at everything in a more multi-dimensional manner.—Matthew Joseph, MCDM cohort ‘22 alumni

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COMMLD 570B: Stakeholder Mindset & Communication

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | Meets Law & Policy Requirement | 3 Credits
Thursdays 1/7 – 3/11, 6:00pm – 8:20pm | Room on Time Schedule

Course Description:

In August 2019, the Business Roundtable, a group of 181 CEOs from the largest corporations in the world, created, signed, and distributed  a formal document, “Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation.” This communication stated that this group was committed to leading their companies for the benefit of all stakeholders — shareholders, communities, employees, suppliers, and customers. 

In this course, we’ll examine this diverse set of stakeholders and take a closer look at how they interact with corporate leaders and each other internally and externally. What role will marketing communication professionals have in making companies’ messaging more stakeholder focused and inclusive going forward? 

From Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover to the mercurial work policies at Amazon, we’ll examine why companies which do not support stakeholder theory risk losing value. And why the ones that do gain it.

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COMMLD 546A/B: Professional Long-Form Writing

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | Meets Professional Writing Requirement (3 or 5 credit) or Research Methods Requirement (5 Credit) | 3 or 5 Credits
Sundays 1/10, 1/24, 2/7, 2/21, 3/7, 9:00am – 5:00pm | Room on Time Schedule

Please note: 546A is 3 credits, and 546B is 5 credits. These courses will run concurrently. Students registered for 546A (3 credits) will attend the first three dates, and students registered for 546B (5 credits) will attend all five dates.

Course Description:

Have you ever read an in-depth piece online that so moved you or shifted your thinking that you immediately sent it on to a friend or colleague? The “long-form” medium offers the writer ample space for synthesis, critique, and personal stories to capture the imagination, change the conversation, and inspire action. With a broad selection of writers, leaders, and cultural commentators as curricular guides, this course invites each student to hone their long-form professional writing skills (>1000 words) and deepen their understanding of the current professional communication long-form landscape.

With scaffolded steps to refine their writing voice and scope, this course serves both students with writing experience, as well as those keen to develop this foundational skill. All students are invited to submit their final piece for inclusion in the Summer 2026 volume of the online journal Mind Shift.

Anita teaches invaluable research and writing skills that pushed me to become a more curious thinker. She encourages her students to dive into multifaceted research on your choice of subject and produce a polished long-form piece. As a brand marketing professional, I’ve applied what I learned in Anita’s class by practicing clear written communication and empathetic collaboration. —Amanda Chou, MCCN cohort ‘22 alumni 

3-credit class Meets Professional Writing Requirement.

5-credit class meets either Research Methods or Professional Writing requirement. Class cannot be used to meet both requirements.

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COMMLD 541B: Crisis Communication

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | Meets Law and Ethics OR Law & Policy Requirement | 5 Credits
Tuesdays 1/5 – 3/9, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Online

Course Description

Crisis communications is about much more than “spin.”  Crises will happen – in government, in the corporate sector, in nonprofits and political campaigns.  What will differentiate you as a communicator is your ability to plan for it, navigate it in real time, and learn something from it.  There is opportunity in crisis.  A crisis forces us to look inside ourselves, at our policies, at our practices, and at how we do our business.

Of course, crisis communications has always been tough; social media and the advent of generative AI have just made it tougher.  We will navigate the latest cultural challenges, from “cancel culture” to messaging in our polarized society.  In this course, we will look at before the crisis (including planning), how we respond during the crisis (this includes the critical crisis communications plan) and after (this is where we cover actions one must take afterwards, including how to repair the damage done).  The class is designed to look at crises in various sectors and will include participation from professionals in the field.

Meets Law and Ethics Requirement.

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COMMLD 540C/D: Public Speaking and Presenting with Impact

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | Meets Ethics & Leadership Requirement | 2 or 3 Credits
Wednesdays 1/6 – 3/10, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule

Course Description

Skilled presenters have the power to move people and inspire change. Becoming a more effective and dynamic public speaker means making the complex accessible, connecting the dots for your audience, and developing confidence over canned answers.  By using storytelling and other communications strategies to become a better presenter, you’ll resonate with your audience in new and more meaningful ways.

In this course, you’ll learn how to grab attention immediately, the importance of simplifying your visuals, and why it’s critical to know your message well enough to speak directly to your audience — not to your notes and not to your screen.  We’ll address the mistakes most people make, and how to avoid them to ensure that you’re communicating with poise, confidence and conviction in a way that captivates your audience.

Whether it’s over Zoom or winning over the room, by mastering your public speaking skills you will learn to overcome doubt, increase your confidence and find your voice.

Note: 540C is the 2 credit version; 540D is the 3 credit version. The 3-credit version will include additional presentation assignments and deliverables.

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COMMLD 532: Advanced Video Storytelling

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

MCDM Elective | 5 Credits
Saturdays 1/16, 1/30, 2/13, 2/27, 3/13, 9:00am – 5:00pm | Off-site location, see SharePoint

Course Description

The world of video production is a mysterious and ambiguous place consisting of freelancers, business owners, and in-house roles. In this course students will learn how to add structure to their client interactions, how to ensure that they’re delivering content that fits their client’s needs, and how to navigate studio-based filming environments. Class will consist of qualitative analysis of how to approach storytelling problems as well as hands-on experiences with advanced camera gear in a professional setting. Students will collaborate in teams throughout the quarter to create one short video for a real-world client.

This course is a good match for students who:

• Have taken the Foundations of Video Storytelling course OR have a very strong understanding of how to create video content

• Are open to a simulated real world experience which includes working in groups

• Are prepared for a time consuming and rigorous learning experience

Students must prove their proficiency in video production to register for this course by meeting the minimum qualifications:

1. Proficient experience in editing video on the following platforms: Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, and/or DaVinci Resolve.

2. Experience in shooting video with either DSLRs or Video Cinema Cameras.

Please fill the form below to the best of your ability. You may be reached out with further clarifications. If your form is approved, you will receive an add code to register for the course. (Note: applications will be time stamped, and qualified applicants will be added to remaining class spots on an equitable basis determined by time of application and remaining time in the program.

The application will go live on a later date.

Here are the questions on the form to help you prepare before it goes live:

Full Name
UW Email

Have you taken (or are currently taking) COMMLD 531: Foundations of Video Storytelling?

If you have not taken the Foundations of Video Storytelling course, do you have other comparable experience? We do not cover basics of how to use gear or software in this class, we focus largely on client relations and storytelling principles so you need to have a solid foundation of video creation methods in order to succeed. Please provide examples of your work if applicable.

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COMMLD 530C: Mobile Media Production

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | 5 Credits
Mondays 1/4 – 3/15, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule

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COMMLD 530B: Foundations of Video Storytelling: Documentary

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | 5 Credits
Thursdays 1/7 – 3/11, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule

Course Description

Foundations of Documentary Storytelling is a workshop-based course where students get hands-on experience in building documentary stories from start to finish. This course supports and cultivates curiosity-driven mindset and the technical skill development needed to produce compelling documentary media for innovative marketing and media production. How do you take a compelling topic and make it an engaging story? Documentary Storytelling will teach you to take stories, characters and themes and craft them into stories by breaking chronology, building emotional resonance and cultivating buy-in so that we want to know what happens and get invested in the outcome. 

You will learn to craft character-driven nonfiction narratives while mastering the complete production process: research, story craft, video/audio styles and equipment use, field recording and interview techniques, film editing and constructing feedback. This course looks at both technical proficiency and ethical responsibility in documentary as well as exploring production roles, documentary industry standards, and the power dynamics inherent in capturing others’ stories. 

Students will create multiple documentary productions with various crew structures and independent work which will be paired with guest speaker workshops and film case studies from award-winning professional documentarians. You will leave the class with a strong understanding of what is required throughout a production process through holding a variety of production roles. Get ready to deep dive on building stories from the world around you and explore how documentary techniques can transform your skills and repertoire as a communications leader.

Note: This is one of the two foundational courses covering video storytelling. The other class is “COMMLD 531: Foundations of Video Storytelling.” Both will qualify you for taking Advanced Video Storytelling.

This Course is Ideal for Students Who:

Aspire to integrate relational storytelling methods into their communication leadership practice

Seek project-based learning experience

Want to develop transferable core storytelling and editing skills 

Are interested in understanding how documentary can successfully shift culture, policy and public opinion through storytelling

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COMMLD 521: Digital Media Branding & Marketing

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

MCDM Elective | 5 Credits
Mondays 1/4 – 3/15, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Online

Course Description

This course is designed for students who will be utilizing their education and experience in the marketing career tracks or in leadership functions where an understanding of marketing is critical. The focus of the course will be on how to build a brand online or extend a legacy brand digitally by applying marketing fundamentals and examining how the most interesting and dynamic brands operate today. We will simulate brand management and building campaigns for real-world brands and explore how they reach target customers to meet objectives and participate in online culture. While online platforms have offered us many more opportunities and “shiny objects” to reach and communicate with customers, the fundamental marketing skills and theories don’t change much or quickly. Learning to be strategic about how to apply these fundamentals will allow students to remain flexible and relevant.

This class is a good match for students who:

• want to build expansive, omni-channel marketing strategies and tactics for brand building

• want to develop a CMO view of brand management and building marketing capabilities

• want to learn to create a portfolio-level brand plan

Honestly, this class felt like years of experience packed in ten weeks. As someone who has worked with marketers but has never taken any marketing courses before this one, my perception of branding and digital marketing evolved constantly week by week. Having theoretical and practical experience throughout this course truly gave me a well-rounded experience. —previous student, Digital Media Branding & Marketing

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COMMLD 520D: Product Marketing

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

MCDM Elective | 5 Credits
Tuesdays 1/5 – 3/9, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule

Course Description:

This course explores how modern organizations bring products to market by connecting customer insight, storytelling, and strategy. Students will learn the core functions of product marketing within technology and SaaS organizations and examine how effective collaboration among product, sales, marketing, and customer success teams drives successful product launches. Through hands-on projects and real-world case studies, students will practice applying research, storytelling, and data-driven decision-making to launch and promote products that resonate with diverse audiences and deliver measurable results.

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COMMLD 520C: Market Research Approaches in the Age of AI

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

MCDM Elective | Meets Research Methods Requirement | 5 Credits
Tuesdays 1/5 – 3/9, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule

Course Description

Marketers are blind without research. From learning unmet needs, to shaping solutions, to setting prices and optimizing creatives, input from customers is how you go from good to great. The aim of this course is not to teach you sampling, statistics, and analytics, but rather to be an expert in knowing what research to resource when, what quality looks like, and how to persuade change. 

The instructors are two client-side researchers at Microsoft who do just that. Plan to learn about 20 different research approaches that the global market-research industry has grown to answer the most common questions, and that most marketers “buy rather than build.”  Know when to ask for an ethnography, a pricing model, a journey study, or a campaign effectiveness study, among many others, and to know what makes them good, what “money slides” each produces, and the typical moves in persuading change with the results. Get your hands dirty in class with all the work needed to do research other than the math (making stimuli, writing survey questions, designing logical paths, and visualizing data with the best art and storytelling) and explore with us how AI can speed up and streamline much of it. We will build the class around a hypothetical tech product “an AI privacy defender” and by the end of the class, we’ll know what research to ask our VC to fund to bring it to market. 

This class is a good match for students who:

• Know some fundamentals of marketing

• Want to create a pitch deck for venture capital funding of an incubation tech product

• Have little desire to do math, but want to wield its power

Meets Research Methods Requirement.

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COMMLD 515: Advanced User Design: Generative AI Studio

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

MCDM Elective | Meets Research Methods Requirement | 5 Credits
Wednesdays 1/6 – 3/10, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule

Course Description

In the Generative AI UX Studio course, students dive into the dynamic intersection of traditional experience design and artificial intelligence, mastering the tools and frameworks that are reshaping how humans interact with technology. Through intensive hands-on projects, students craft intelligent, adaptive experiences that push beyond conventional interfaces, learning to orchestrate seamless interactions between users and AI agents while maintaining essential human-centered design principles. Students develop expertise in the emerging field of agentic design, creating sophisticated agent personas and behavioral frameworks that define how AI systems perceive, reason, and act on behalf of users – skills that are increasingly crucial in modern digital product development.

Working in collaborative teams that mirror industry practice, students navigate the complex interplay between design, AI capabilities, and user trust, developing working prototypes that demonstrate real-world application of these advanced concepts. Upon completion, students emerge with compelling portfolio pieces that showcase their ability to design next-generation experiences where AI enhances rather than replaces human interaction, positioning them as leaders in this transformative wave of UX innovation.

Meets Research Methods Requirement.

Course Prerequisites: COMMLD 511, 512, or 517.

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COMMLD 510C: User Interface & Visual Design

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

MCDM Elective | 5 Credits
Mondays 1/4 – 3/15, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule

Course Description

Design encompasses a variety of interconnected concepts. User Interface Design (UI ) is concerned with how navigational components are organized  within a system interface to ensure the layout is intuitive and helps users achieve their goals. Visual Design emphasizes aesthetics and the strategic use of communication elements, such as images, colors, fonts, and other graphic components, to create visually appealing layouts that achieve a business purpose.

Some of the topics we’ll cover are research, mood board creation, testing, user flows, Figma essentials, component libraries, general layout and design, wireframing, prototyping, microcopy, and more. At the end of this course, students will know how to create impactful UI designs and have knowledge of the tools to bring designs to fruition.

This class is a good match for students who:

• want the fundamentals of human perception and cognition that inform effective interaction design;

• want to understand how UI and Visual Design complement each other;

• want to learn the essential steps, tools and knowledge that inform effective UI & Visual Design workflows

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COMMLD 510B: Introduction to UX Writing & Content Design

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | Meets Professional Writing Requirement | 3 Credits
Tuesdays 1/5 – 3/9, 6:00pm – 8:20pm | Room on Time Schedule

Course Description

User Experience (UX) Writing involves the words used in a website, app, or other digital experience flow. The job of UX Writing is to make sure those words help make that experience simple, conversational, and easy to use. This course will use design thinking to guide you through solving complex UX issues using workshops, real-world examples, emerging AI tools and techniques, and creating your own unique UX writing flows and portfolio.

This class is a good match for students who:

• want to showcase UX writing flows in their UX portfolio

• are planning to pursue a career in the UX and/or marketing field

• want to gain team-based competencies aligned with industry practice

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© Copyright 2025 Department of Communication. University of Washington

© Copyright 2025 Department of Communication. University of Washington