About PhD Program,
Through coursework and practica, Ph.D. candidates develop a strong foundation in information science, learning to identify critical problems and rigorously researching their solutions. Students become well versed in the scope, origins, methods, issues and theoretical framework that define the iSchool’s uniquely interdisciplinary approach to the study of information. Ph.D. students at the iSchool come from a variety of professional experiences and academic backgrounds, such as information science, social sciences, computer science, library services, law, and information technology.
The Ph.D. program is a theoretical, research-based doctorate that focuses on creating and advancing new knowledge that will make a significant, positive difference. Research focuses on understanding human involvement with information and its social and technological ramifications. It addresses issues that affect the communication of knowledge and knowledge records among people in social, institutional and individual contexts. To learn more about Research Areas, visit that area of our website.
As a Ph.D. student, you will benefit from a combination of mentoring, involvement in research projects with faculty as principal investigators and a culture of close collaboration with their peers. The breadth of expertise of doctoral students and faculty supports the School’s goal to produce rising academics that make original and meaningful contributions to the discipline of information science.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
All applicants to the Ph.D. program must meet the following basic requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree* or higher in any discipline (must be equivalent to a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution)
- Non-native English speakers must fulfill the UW English language proficiency requirements.
- Note: The UW Graduate School has a minimum GPA requirement. As detailed on their website, individual programs may consider qualified applicants with a GPA below a 3.0.
*Applicants must earn their bachelor’s degree by the end of the summer prior to the beginning of the Autumn Quarter. Applicants do not need to have earned their bachelor’s degree prior to applying to the program.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Financial support includes a tuition waiver and a stipend that comes from a variety of sources including Teaching Assistantship (TA) and Research Assistantship (RA) positions, as well as student grants funded by both the UW and the Information School. You must be a full-time enrolled student (10 credits) to receive financial support.
In general, matching of a student to an RA or TA position takes place anytime from July-August for incoming Ph.D. students. The process normally includes the following steps:
- Faculty with RA positions write a brief description of the project and position requirements.
- The Informatics program chair, with the assistance of Informatics faculty, prepare list of courses needing TA positions for the upcoming academic year with TA skill requirements.
- Incoming students rank their top preferences among research projects and TA positions.
- Faculty with RA positions/Informatics chair rank their preferences of incoming students. Faculty rank only students they would actually hire for their positions. If no incoming student has the skill set for a particular RA position, or all incoming students with the appropriate skill set have been assigned to other positions, that position may be posted following normal UW RA posting guidelines.
- The Ph.D. program chair, with the assistance of human resources, matches students with RA/TA slots; highest priority matching being 1-1 (student first preference- faculty first preference).
Application Requirement,
- Online application through the Application for Graduate Study
- Select the application link for Autumn 2024 and beyond
- Filter by degree and select “Information School PhD in Information Science”
- Personal statement
- Diversity statement
- Research statement
- Recommendations (three)
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Faculty and research interests
- Transcripts
- Official GRE scores (optional)
- Non-native English speakers: English language proficiency requirement
- Optional: Extenuating circumstances or additional information
- Optional: Submit work sample
Get detailed information about these application materials.
Application Deadline,
Dec 02, 2024
Application Fee,
The application fee is $90 USD, payable online by debit or credit card. Learn more about the Application Fee Waiver Policy on this page.
