Schools and Colleges

The University of Washington has seventeen major schools and colleges.

The College of Arts and Sciences has 42 degree-granting departments, schools, and programs encompassing the diversity of the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Within Arts and Sciences, about two-thirds of UW's undergraduates and half of its graduate students study for bachelor's, master's, and doctor's degrees in fields ranging from art to zoology. The college also includes such public-oriented units as the Burke Museum, Henry Art Gallery, and Meany Hall for the Performing Arts.

The College of Architecture and Urban Planning focuses on the planning, design, development, and building of our natural and artificial environments. It includes degree programs in architecture, construction management, landscape architecture, and urban design and planning. The college is internationally recognized for its emphasis on environmental issues and sustainability.

The Michael G. Foster School of Business teaches the fundamentals of management, with specialties in international business, entrepreneurship, manufacturing management, and taxation. In addition to the undergraduate, M.B.A., and doctoral programs, the school's Executive Programs offers continuing education programs for mid- and senior-level managers. The Executive M.B.A. and the part-time evening M.B.A. programs are for working professionals. The school recently launched the Technology Management MBA program, designed for working professionals in the high-tech industry.

The School of Dentistry offers the D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree as well as advanced training programs leading to an Master of Science in Dentistry and/or a certificate in dentistry specialties. Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees are offered in oral biology, and residency training is available in oral and maxillofacial surgery and general practice. The school is a national leader in dentistry research.

The College of Education seeks to build the capacities, deepen the wisdom, and broaden the imagination of educators and students in Washington and beyond. Committed to the success of all students, the College of Education works with community partners to address three major educational issues: increasing access for all students to an excellent education; advancing teaching, learning, and inquiry; and informing public policy to support a democratic and just educational system. By offering master's and doctoral degrees, as well as professional certification programs in five major areas, the college is dedicated to the comprehensive preparation and professional development of educators.

The College of Engineering teaches the science and art of applying scientific and mathematical principles to design things that benefit society. The college offers education in aeronautics and astronautics, civil and environmental engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, electrical engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, bioengineering, computer science and engineering, and technical communication, as well as several joint academic programs.

The College of Forest Resources provides students with a premier educational and training experience in integrated natural resource management and utilization and environmental sciences and stewardship. The college is dedicated to generating and disseminating knowledge for the stewardship of natural and managed environments and the use of their products and services through teaching, research, and professional and public outreach.

The Information School educates students for professional careers and leadership roles in the information professions, including library and information science. The school offers a bachelor of science in informatics, a master of library and information science, a master of science in information management, and a Ph.D. in information science.

The School of Law offers the basic J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree as well as specialized graduate degrees in Asian and comparative law, intellectual property and technology law, tax law, and the law of sustainable international develop-ment, for persons who already have a law degree. Doctrinal, interdisciplinary, comparative, and jurisprudential courses and clinics prepare law students for professional careers and lives of public service.

The School of Medicine is known both for its achievements in biomedical research and for its number one national ranking in training primary care physicians. The school's affiliations across the Pacific Northwest enable medical students to train in nearly 100 communities in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. Through its innovative WWAMI program, the University of Washington School of Medicine provides medical education for those five states.

The School of Nursing, ranked first in the nation for its graduate programs, offers the B.S.N (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program to beginning nursing students, master's degree programs with a clinical or research focus, and the Ph.D. in nursing science program, which prepares nurses for scholarly research in academia and practice. Nursing courses are also offered at the Bothell and Tacoma campuses.

The College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences focuses on marine, aquatic, and fishery sciences, technology, and associated social and policy issues. The college offers both undergraduate and graduate instructional programs in oceanography and aquatic and fishery sciences, and a graduate program in marine affairs. Field-oriented scientific activities extend from Puget Sound to oceans around the world.

The School of Pharmacy offers a professional Pharm. D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) program that educates students to contribute to the safe, effective, and cost-efficient use of medications. For students who seek to engage in research, the school also offers Ph.D. graduate education in the pharmaceutical sciences. Continuing education for practicing pharmacists is provided as well.

The Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs prepares students for leadership in public service through education in public policy analysis, public management, and policy specialties. The school's faculty and research centers address significant policy issues and offer training to mid-career executives and legislators.

The School of Public Health and Community Medicine , the only school of its kind in the Northwest, trains epidemiologists, biostatisticians, toxicologists, industrial safety and health experts, health administrators, physicians, nurses, and others for work in community health programs and health and environmental policy. The school is dedicated to health promotion and disease prevention through research, education, service, and policy initiatives.

The School of Social Work is ranked third out of 153 programs nationally. It prepares students for direct services and administrative careers in health and human services. The school offers the degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare, Master of Social Work, and Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare. Part time MSW access programs in the evening and on weekends are available.

The Graduate School is the coordinating point for more than 10,000 graduate students at the University. Programs leading to master's or doctoral degrees are offered in 100 departments or other organizational units of the University.