MCDM - Program Overview - MCDM Frequently Asked Questions

What is the definition of digital media?

For this degree program, digital media are defined as any medium that uses digital interactive technologies as the engine for communication.
What are your minimum requirements in order to apply?

Prospective students must meet the minimum requirements of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or its equivalent from a foreign institution, and having earned at least a 3.0 or B grade-point-average in the most recent two years of study. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all applicants; scores must be received directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). International applicants must also take the Test of English Fluency. The code for University of Washington is 4854 and there is no need for a program code, but if you must enter it, it is 4502.
What is the average GRE score?

While GRE scores are required, they are not the most important criteria for admission to the program.
What if I cannot take the GRE and get my score mailed before the deadlines, for United States residents?

Ask the Executive Advisor for approval at cmumedia@u.washington.edu.
What do you look for in an applicant?

We look carefully at everything you send us. Beyond verifying that you meet the minimum requirements, we review your letter of intent and references for evidence that you have the capability and desire to develop professionally in the emerging field of digital media communications.
How many applicants do you admit?

We have spaces for up to 65 graduate students per year.
Can I get financial support?

Maybe. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer financial assistance to all our graduate students. If your financial need is severe, you should see if you qualify for need-based financial aid from the UW Office of Student Financial Aid. For international students, there is no financial aid available. For information visit the OSFA Website: http://www.washington.edu/students/osfa.
Can I go part-time? Can I start mid-year?

Yes, you can attend part-time. The program is set up so you can take only 5-credits per quarter and take three years to complete. You may find that one or two quarters you will have to do 10 credits in order to complete course requirements. International students and those receiving financial aid must attend full-time (10 credits minimum per quarter except for one quarter of 5 credits, to meet the 45 credits required). Starting mid-year is not always appropriate because some courses are sequential.
Can I take a single course without applying to the program?

You may take up to ten credits in graduate non-matriculated (GNM) status, which provides access to graduate courses for those who are not now seeking a graduate degree, but who may later want to apply these credits toward the Master of Communication in Digital Media degree. A bachelor's degree is required to gain GNM status. For information, email cmumedia@uw.edu. Anyone pursuing a graduate degree at another institution and planning to transfer credit to that institution toward a degree may apply as a visiting graduate student. Visiting graduate students and GNM students will be admitted on a space-available basis. International students currently enrolled in a graduate degree program outside the U.S. may apply as a visiting graduate student. Contact the Graduate Admissions office at (206) 543-7097 or visit the following website for more information: http://www.grad.washington.edu/admissions/adminfo.html
What about the statistics requirement?

The program does not have a statistics requirement. However, you may find that to pursue your interests you need to take a basic statistics course, and then you will want to take at least a junior/senior level statistics course, preferably one with a social science orientation.
When do classes meet?

Classes meet only in the evening to fit the schedules of working professionals.
Will the program allow me to use my work experience towards a class project?

In general the answer is yes, because the program is designed to draw on and be applied to the workplace. However how much you can do this in any individual course will depend on the nature of the project and the requirements established by the faculty member.
What is the program's relationship with the industry?

We have established an advisory board consisting of executives of major digital media businesses nationally and globally, as well as government officials involved in supporting the digital media industry. They include executives from Microsoft, RealNetworks, SeattleTimes.com, and USAToday.com. This advisory board offers career information, support for teaching, guest speakers, and research opportunities. We are also developing UW Media Space, our sister laboratory, as a place to incubate new media applications with business and community.
How might this degree help me with employment opportunities?

Your experience prior to entering the Master's degree program may have some influence on your employment opportunities when you finish:
(1) Those who have no digital media work experience and limited work experience, the benefits are that the degree will help to open doors to a digital media career and expand career choices.

(2) Those who have no digital media work experience but have several years of work experience (midcareer professionals), the program will enhance their career in the fast developing digital media field and help to expand the scope in their daily work, which may lead to a promotion because almost all companies have to develop strategies to adopt appropriate technologies to prepare for the transformation of the companies. (The digital media terminology today is: the so-called "first mover" advantage.)

(3) Those with digital media work experience and several years of work experience, the program will help them synthesize their existing experience, i.e., instead of "knowing what to do" in the digital media environment, they also can explore "the reasons why they do things in such a way"; or "explore ways to do things differently." (That is what we call, creativity, innovation, or simply problem-solving).

4) It may help students to start up their own businesses. We think that acquired knowledge is not an end in itself. Students learn best by learning new skills and putting them into practice. Therefore we encourage students to experience the special challenge of entrepreneurship such as launching their own digital media business.

5) In addition, the digital media program provides a good network to meet professionals of similar interests, because this is a specially designed program. Unlike in an MBA program, they may meet generalists, such as accountants and human resource managers. So, our digital media MC program can develop a strong personal and professional network for their future career moves.

Our program emphases, i.e., (a) content creation, (b) management and (c) policy, offer the most complete training in preparing for a digital media career. First, the failure of most dotcoms is due to a lack of good content. As they say, "Content is king/queen"; we approach the study of digital media from the communication discipline. After content is created, we need to find effective and efficient ways to deliver it, that's why we need to study management theories and practices. However, because dotcom and media content will have an impact on everyone, it is important to study policies and ethics. Finally, the purpose of getting an advanced degree is for intellectual pursuit and to enhance our critical and analytical thinking abilities.
What if I have more questions?

Contact the Executive Advisor via email cmumedia@u.washington.edu or phone 206-543-6745. (Email is best for a faster response.) If you have general questions about graduate study costs and policies, financial aid or other academic departments, visit the University of Washington (http://www.washington.edu) or the UW Graduate School (http://www.grad.washington.edu) websites.