Classes

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 513: Content Marketing

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- Current Quarter | 2026-2027 | Autumn 2026

Open Elective | Meets Research Methods Requirement | 5 Credits
Saturdays 10/10, 10/24, 11/07, 11/21, 12/05, 9:00am – 5:00pm | Online
Registration SLN: 12807

Course Description

This course focuses on the approach and implementation of marketing programs that encourage community building and engagement. Content marketing is a special kind of content that you can use to build relationships with audiences, drawing new audiences or rewarding loyal fans. Our focus will be on how to give freely of our knowledge. We will explore a research-backed method for how to make content that educates and supports audiences, that complements advertising, mission-driven, or task-based content.

To do so, we will learn the basics of a content strategy process. Our 6 part data-driven methodology includes working with secondary research: stakeholder goals and audiences. Conducting our own primary research in comparative and content review. Building from research, we’ll explore best practices and tactics for messaging, content planning, and delivering strategy concepts to clients or coworkers. Our final product focuses on building brand storytelling, effective messaging, and planning adaptable content for multichannel (physical or digital) environments. Final materials can be useful for portfolios.

Meets Research Methods Requirement.

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COMMLD 511: Intro to User Centered Design

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- Current Quarter | 2026-2027 | Autumn 2026

MCDM Elective | Meets Research Methods Requirement | 5 Credits
Mondays 10/05 – 12/07, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule
Registration SLN: 12805

Course Description

This course focuses on the fundamentals of user experience design, identifying the skills and concepts needed to successfully design products and services for humans. We will learn the principles of design thinking so that students come away from the class with a framework for understanding how to identify real user problems, design solutions for how to solve those problems, and then test those solutions with real people.

Meets Research Methods Requirement

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COMMLD 501: Leadership & Communities

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- Current Quarter | 2026-2027 | Autumn 2026

Required Core Course | 5 Credits
Thursdays 10/01 – 12/10, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule
Registration SLN: 12802

Course Description

Our core class offers an interactive, community-focused learning experience where students define and express their values, shape their leadership practices, and create portfolio pieces. Through a blend of individual and group assignments, we explore the meaning of “communication leadership” while developing key skills like active listening, reflection, innovation, collaboration, and storytelling. We aim to foster an awareness of the communication practices our community can contribute to shaping the future of work.

During class sessions we articulate shared values and cultivate a community that understands our mindsets are not fixed. Along the way, students build professional connections and engage with key leaders in the field who review and discuss topics with them.

Credit/No Credit only

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COMMLD 600: MC Research Project

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- Current Quarter | 2025-2026 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026

Open Elective | 5 Credits
Application Required

Course Description:

After completion of a minimum of 50% of Comm Lead course work, students can choose to conduct a scholarly research project. An MC Research Project is roughly the equivalent of a master’s thesis in scope and rigor, and requires the student form a committee of at least two faculty members to evaluate the work, as well as give a public presentation of the final deliverable. See complete details and application instructions on the Guide to MC Research Project page.

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COMMLD 593: Internship

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- Current Quarter | 2025-2026 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026

Open Elective | 1-5 Credits
Application Required

Course Description:

An internship can be a useful way to give students a fundamental understanding of the industry and to accelerate one’s career path. The course aims to enhance students’ career readiness through guided self-reflection, peer dialogue, and employer feedback.  Through active participation in online discussions and thoughtful completion of structured assignments, students will reflect on their internships and identify how they relate to their coursework, college experience, personal identity, career readiness, and professional future.

Please note that in order to earn credits for COMMLD 593 an Internship is necessary but not sufficient. Students must also complete additional academic deliverables for their instructor as described above.

Also note that Internships should be directly relevant to the student’s field of study (degree or specialization). Part-time jobs not related to the degree will normally not be approved for internship credit, as the purpose of an internship is to apply what you have been learning in your degree to a real world work experience. See complete details and application instructions on the Guide to Internships page.

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COMMLD 591: Independent Research

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- Current Quarter | 2025-2026 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026

Open Elective | 1-5 Credits
Application Required

Course Description:

Independent Research projects are student-driven, with faculty serving in a loose advisory capacity. This option is for students with a clear project in mind who will only need minimal faculty support to accomplish their end goal. See complete details and application instructions on the Guide to Independent Research page.

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