Admission Requirements
- A baccalaureate degree from a four-year, accredited institution, or completion of at least two years of college, combined with a minimum of two years of work experience in the technical communication field.
- Individuals do not need to be accepted to the UW Graduate School to pursue the Certificate in User-Centered Design.
- Graduate Nonmatriculated (GNM) status is not required for students who wish to participate in this program. However, for individuals who anticipate that they may want to apply certificate course credits toward a graduate degree in the future, establishing GNM status is a critical consideration. For course credits to be applied toward a graduate degree, GNM status must be established prior to enrolling. To find out more about establishing GNM status, contact the UW Department of Technical Communication or visit www.uwtc.washington.edu/nav_courses for instructions on how to submit a GNM application.
English Proficiency: Students who are non-native English speakers are expected to have adequate English language proficiency. Applicants from other countries who have advanced English skills, for example, those who have earned a degree at a university where English is the primary language, can contact UW Extension at 206-685-8936 to determine if the TOEFL is necessary. Applicants who are not citizens of the United States must provide an official TOEFL score of at least 580, unless they are citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom; or hold a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited institution in any of these countries. For information about the TOEFL, e-mail toefl@ets.org, or call 1-609-771-7100.
International Students: This program does not qualify as full-time study, and therefore does not meet requirements for an F-1 visa. However, if you are an F-1 student currently enrolled full-time in another program, OR you are in the U.S. on some other type of visa (not F-1), you may be eligible to take a certificate program or course. For complete details, or to contact an adviser, see Visa Information.
Application Process
Single Review Process: Students may apply to start this program in Autumn, Winter or Spring Quarter, and have a total of seven quarters (including Summer Quarter) to earn their certificate once they begin the sequence. The deadline for receipt of applications is 5:00 p.m. on the day applications are due. Students may apply for any upcoming quarter before the dates listed below. Critical application dates and deadlines are as follows (note that after the application deadlines, applications may be accepted on a space-available basis, and you are encouraged to call 206-685-8936 or e-mail us to inquire about space availability).:
Application Deadlines:
Autumn 2008:
Application deadline- Aug. 1, 2008
The Autumn 2008 program is no longer accepting applications.
Winter 2009:
Application deadline- Nov. 14, 2008
Spring 2009:
Application deadline- Feb. 13, 2009
To Apply: Please submit one copy of the application form with a $50 certificate program fee* and three stapled application sets, which include the following clearly labeled documents:
- A typed (250-word maximum) letter of application describing a) your relevant work and volunteer experience, and/or transferable skills and knowledge of the field, and b) how you expect the program will help you meet your professional goals
- Your résumé listing education and applicable experience
Application Review: Selection of program participants is based on admission requirements and may be competitive.
Enrollment: Applicants receive written notification if they are accepted for enrollment, accepted and waitlisted, or not accepted for this program within 14 business days after the application deadline. Those accepted to the program are sent registration information for the first-term course(s).
Waitlist: Some programs maintain a waitlist for applicants accepted after the program has reached enrollment capacity. If space becomes available, waitlisted applicants will be notified and given an opportunity to enroll. If space does not become available, waitlisted applicants will be offered a space in the next program offering.
* The certificate program fee is not refundable and does not guarantee admission to, or enrollment in, the program.
Fees and Tuition
Tuition for the 2007-2008 program is $475 per credit, payable on a term-by-term basis. The cost for 2008-2009 will be determined in spring. Tuition excludes registration, certificate program, and technology fees, textbooks and other course materials. The technology fee is $23 for a four-credit course and $29 for a five-credit course. There is a $50 nonrefundable certificate program fee to apply to this program, a $35 nonrefundable registration fee each term, and a quarterly technology fee based on the total number of credits that are taken. The University's tuition exemption policy does not apply to this program. Fees and tuition are subject to change.
Information on registration and refund policies and procedures is included with registration materials.
Earning the Certificate
Students earn UW credits for all courses in this program. Standards and expectations for student work have been established by the instructors and advisory board. To continue in the program and earn the certificate, participants are required to earn a grade of 2.7 or higher in each course, and to maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0 (B or better).
Students earn the certificate upon successful completion of four of the six courses in the program: two in Winter Quarter, one in Spring or Summer Quarter and one in Autumn Quarter. Students may apply to start the program any quarter except Summer Quarter.
Most students complete the certificate within 4 quarters. Students are admitted to the program for a period of up to 7 quarters (including summer quarter). In the event students do not complete necessary coursework within 7 quarters, they can complete the program as a single course enrollee on a space available basis.
