Undergraduate Education

For more than 50 years, UW Communication has offered students an unparalleled opportunity to step out of the classroom and directly into the fast-paced world of state politics. The State Government Communication Program, affectionately known as the “Olympia Program,” places undergraduates in full-time reporting roles during the state’s winter legislative session.

The University of Washington School of Music is stepping up their offerings. In fall 2024, they hired Grammy-nominated recording engineer, producer, and drummer Andrew Munsey to lead and build out a Music and Technology program, dedicated to providing students with experience in studio recording, mixing and producing. UW students are now able to gain skills in audio recording at the School of Music. 

Nowadays, musicians finding the most success are not only refining their musical skills, but also business, publicity, and technical skills like studio recording and production. With the latter in mind, the University of Washington School of Music is stepping up their offerings. The UW's Ted Poor, associate professor of music; and Andrew Munsey, assistant professor of music and technology, are quoted. Jol-Franois Durand, director of the UW School of Music and professor of composition, is mentioned.

The benefits of learning more languages go far beyond the positive classroom experience; there are substantial advantages in your career and personal life. Previous scholarship has demonstrated that bilingual job candidates have up to a 35% increase in job opportunities.

The 2026 annual Dance Majors Concert (DMC) was from the minds of seven dance majors, the undergraduate choreographers: Taylor Burbacher, Natasha Crowley, Kate Hancock, Sachiko Miyoshi, Sam Stratman, MC Womack, and Amanda Winterbauer. DMC presented seven concepts at Meany Hall — Studio Theater from Feb. 26 to March 1.

"The 2026 legislative session is scheduled to end next week in Olympia, but as teaching professors of journalism at the University of Washington, we are thinking about the beginning," write Andrea Otez and Caley Cook, both teaching professors of communication at the UW.

After creating popular social media content analyzing basketball statistics, UW Mathematics doctoral student Maddy Brown created a course to help students present data through storytelling. 

Kristine Matthews, Professor of Visual Communication Design and principal of Studio Matthews, continues to earn national and international recognition for her work. She founded the Seattle-based design practice in 2008, building a studio of designers, teachers, and makers known for award-winning projects, elegant solutions, and a deep commitment to environmental responsibility.

From the thousands of undergraduate students at the University of Washington, three are selected each year for the prestigious President’s Medalist Award.

Kaytlin Rose Vanderhorst (Psychology; Education Studies: Wellness and Social Emotional Learning), Carilyn Brandt (English: Creative Writing) and Luna Crone-Barón Drama: Performance; English) are the medalists for 2024–25, selected by a committee for their high GPAs, rigor of classes and number of Honors courses. All three Honors students are pursuing the Interdisciplinary Honors track, a unique academic opportunity that challenges students to explore connections across disciplines and prepares them to address complex societal challenges.

It's time to think about spring quarter course registration! Check out these cool Arts & Sciences courses to be offered Spring Quarter 2026.

Rob Rhee's eerie gourds blur the lines between nature and art.

The UW’s Champions Program offers students who have been in foster care or experienced homelessness the foundation they need to grow.

PSYCH 210 has become a rite of passage for many UW students and as it is now the most popular course at UW with over 4,000 students taking it annually. But not everyone can take the class. So after five years of writing, McNichols is bringing her lessons to a wider audience with her first book “You Could Be Having Better Sex: The Definitive Guide to a Happier, Healthier, and Hotter Sex Life.”

Arts & Sciences weigh in on their own use of AI and what they see as the benefits and drawbacks of AI use in undergraduate education more broadly. 

Three College of Arts & Sciences professors discuss the impact of AI on their teaching and on student learning. The consensus? It’s complicated.