Master of Arts

The Individually Designed MA in Education is intended for doctoral students at Stanford who would like to earn a Master of Arts in Education while studying for their PhD or MD degree outside of the Graduate School of Education. The program is based on an individual program of study developed in consultation with the student’s GSE advisor and must be completed in three years.

Students must complete at least 45 units at Stanford to receive the Individually Designed Master’s degree in Education. The following constraints are placed on those 45 units:

• A statement of purpose opens in a new tab indicating the relevance of a MA in Education to the student’s doctoral degree

• A preliminary program proposal opens in a new tab outlining the proposed coursework for the master’s degree

• If admitted to the program, a Graduate Program Authorization Petition opens in a new tab must be submitted via Axess and be approved by the student’s home department

The Associate Dean of Educational Affairs will appoint a program advisor for the student. The advisor will develop the final program proposal in consultation with the student and subject to the approval of the Associate Dean of Educational Affairs.

Students are expected, in their selection of GSE courses, to present a coherent, individualized program of study that pursues a specific topic (e.g., education reform).

Students also have the option to write a master’s thesis to further develop and apply their learning in a focused research study. This can be done by enrolling in a maximum of 15 independent study units, as part of their 45-unit requirement. Students will work under the supervision of their MA program advisor and an additional Stanford faculty member who can be outside the GSE. Students are encouraged to discuss this option with the Assistant Director of Degree Programs and their MA program advisor.

Students must complete at least 48 units at Stanford to receive a master’s degree in GCE or IEPA. The following constraints are placed on those 48 units:

• All courses must be at or above the 100 level – courses numbered below 100 do not count toward the MA degree

• At least 24 units must be at or above the 200 level (EDUC 180 and EDUC 190 count toward this requirement)

• At least 30 units must be from courses offered by the Graduate School of Education (EDUC units)

• At least 32 units must be taken for a letter grade (as opposed to Credit/No Credit)

• A 3.0 GPA must be maintained for all courses applied to the master’s degree

• Students must enroll in a minimum of 8 units during Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters and cannot exceed 18 units in any quarter

• GCE/IEPA students must choose one of the following unit plans. Combinations, alterations, or exceptions to these unit plans are not allowable.

  • Enroll in at least 11 units Autumn and Winter quarter, at least 8 units Spring quarter and exactly 6 units in Summer quarter OR

  • Enroll in at least 11 units Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarter and exactly 3 units in Summer quarter

• Note: Students must enroll in at least 6 units during all quarters (including Summer) in which they wish to maintain eligibility to receive financial aid (such as loans)

• English for Speakers of Other Languages (EFSLANG 600 level) and Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (ATHLETIC) courses cannot be applied toward the master’s degree.

• All courses taken outside the GSE must be approved by the MA Program Director.

• See the Coterminal Degree opens in a new tab section for unit requirements applying to students admitted through the coterminal degree program

Due Friday, July 30, 2027

The Joint Degree with the Public Policy Program is intended for POLS MA students interested in education policy and working in educational agencies to develop both their analytic skills and perspectives of policy analysis and their substantive knowledge base regarding education policy, organizations, and practice. The joint degree requires approximately two years (six quarters) to complete. Students in the joint degree program spend most of their first year taking both GSE and Public Policy courses and completing their POLS Field Project. The second year is typically devoted to the MPP practicum and remaining GSE and Public Policy requirements.

Students must complete at least 95 units at Stanford to receive the MA/MPP Joint Degree. The following constraints are placed on those 95 units:

• All courses must be at or above the 100 level; courses numbered below 100 do not count toward the MA

• At least 48 units must be at or above the 200 level, of which 23+ units must count toward POLS (EDUC 180 or EDUC 190 count toward this requirement)

• At least 27 units must be from courses offered by the Graduate School of Education (EDUC units)

• At least 65 units must be taken for a letter grade (as opposed to Credit/No Credit), of which 15 units must count toward POLS

• A 3.0 GPA must be maintained for all courses applied to the joint degree

• Students must enroll in a minimum of 8 units during Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters and cannot exceed 18 units in any quarter

• No more than 40 units may be counted toward both degrees

• ​English for Foreign Students (EFSLANG 600 level) and Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (ATHLETIC) courses cannot be applied toward the master’s degree

• See the Coterminal Degree opens in a new tab section for unit requirements applying to students admitted through the coterminal degree program

Beginning in their first year, students are expected to discuss a coherent program of study with Ann Jaquith. They must complete their Preliminary Program Proposal during the autumn quarter of their second year of study. The Preliminary Program Proposal is due no later than the end of the second week of autumn quarter of the second year at 5 p.m. Students may deviate from their Preliminary Program Proposal during the academic year but must carefully fulfill all requirements. The Final Program Proposal, indicating courses taken, is due no later than the end of the second week of spring quarter of the second year at 5 p.m. 

Each POLS student will identify and work with an organization for approximately 150 hours over the Winter and Spring quarters. Students’ field projects will culminate in a defined “deliverable” by the end of the spring quarter. The deliverable can be a research report, a policy paper, a curriculum, or other output that effectively demonstrates accomplishment while bringing tangible value to the site. Students will present a synthetic summary of deliverables in a public presentation at the end of the academic year. 

One policy course is required.

One organization course is required.

One methods course is required; two methods courses are recommended.

Students must complete at least 45 units at Stanford to receive the master’s degree in CTE. The following constraints are placed on those 45 units:

• All courses must be at or above the 100 level; courses numbered below 100 do not count toward the MA degree

• At least 23 units must be at or above the 200 level (EDUC 180 or EDUC 190 count toward this requirement)

• At least 27 units must be from courses offered by the Graduate School of Education (EDUC units)

• At least 15 units must be taken for a letter grade (as opposed to Credit/No Credit)

• A 3.0 GPA must be maintained for all courses applied to the master’s degree

• Students must enroll in at least 11 units during autumn, winter, and spring quarters and cannot exceed 18 units in any quarter

• English for Foreign Students (EFSLANG 600 level) and Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (ATHLETIC) courses cannot be applied toward the master’s degree

See the Coterminal Degree opens in a new tab section for unit requirements for students admitted through the coterminal degree program.

Units for the Master’s project/thesis can be taken through EDUC 180 or EDUC 190, or EDUC 185. Students can enroll in 1-3 independent study units during autumn quarter and 1-5 units during Winter and Spring quarters.

Note that the university’s deadline to turn in your project/thesis and Thesis Submission Form to your advisor. Your advisor may set an earlier deadline. If you would like your final project/thesis to be bound and cataloged in the Cubberley Library, a few additional steps need to be taken: (

1. Update the signature and title page available from the MA Programs Officer

2. Obtain your advisor’s signature

3. Print out a copy of your final project/thesis and submit it to the Cubberley library

Students must complete at least 45 units of instruction for the MA portion of their MA/MBA joint degree. The following constraints are placed on those 45 units:

• All courses must be at or above the 100 level - courses numbered below 100 do not count toward the MA degree

• At least 23 units must be at or above the 200 level (EDUC 180 and EDUC 190 can count toward this requirement)

• At least 15 units must be completed for a letter grade (as opposed to Credit/No Credit or Pass/Fail). GSB/GSE crosslisted courses taken for a letter grade count toward this requirement

• At least 35 of the 45 units must be from courses offered by the Graduate School of Education (EDUC units). If a student wishes to earn the remaining 10 units outside of the Graduate School of Education (non EDUC units), the student is expected to submit a petition opens in a new tab by the end of week one of the quarter during which the student enrolls in the course, explaining how these units relate to and support the student’s educational goals. GSB courses are not eligible for approval by petition

• All petitions for non-EDUC units must be finalized by the final study list deadline of spring quarter in the second year

• A maximum of 10 GSB/GSE cross-listed units may count toward both degrees, provided enrollment is in the GSB listing

• A maximum of 6 independent study units (e.g., internship, directed reading, directed research) from the Graduate School of Education may be applied toward the MA degree

• A 3.0 GPA must be maintained for all letter-graded courses applied to the MA degree

• Students may not enroll in Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP) courses

• Any other course policies outlined in the MA Student Handbook apply

Beginning in their first year, students are expected to discuss a coherent program of study with Faculty Academic Advisor Geoff Cox (gcox@stanford.edu) and must complete their Preliminary Program Proposal during the Autumn quarter of their second year of study. The Preliminary Program Proposal is due no later than the end of the second week of Autumn Quarter of the second year at 5 p.m., and students will schedule individual meetings with Geoff Cox to discuss their plans the following week. Students may deviate from their Preliminary Program Proposal during the academic year, but must be careful to fulfill all requirements. The Final Program Proposal, indicating courses actually taken, is due no later than the end of the second week of spring quarter of the second year at 5 p.m. 

Students may take up to 6 units of independent study (including EDUC 180, EDUC 190, and EDUC 380) from the Graduate School of Education, which may be applied toward the 45 units needed for the MA in Education. Students interested in an internship during the academic year should consult the Career Resources page opens in a new tab for opportunities and review the MA/MBA Internship Guidelines opens in a new tab. 

The following section pertains to the Graduate School of Education’s requirements for the MA portion of the MA/JD joint degree. In addition to the following guidelines, students should consult the academic requirements specified by the Stanford Law School (SLS) for the JD portion of the joint degree and the Stanford Bulletin.

Students are strongly encouraged to begin courses for the joint degree program at SLS and must be enrolled full time in SLS for the first year of law school. After that time, enrollment may be in either school or both simultaneously as long as students maintain full-time status.

The faculty advisor, currently Professor Bill Koski, will participate in the planning and supervising of the student’s joint program of study. The proposed program of study, also known as the Program Proposal, must be established as part of the student’s application to the GSE and reviewed by the end of the first quarter in which the student begins to take GSE courses.

Students must complete at least 45 units of instruction at Stanford for the MA portion of their MA/JD joint degree. The following constraints are placed on those 45 units:

• All courses must be at or above the 100 level - courses numbered below 100 do not count toward the MA degree.

• At least 23 units must be at or above the 200 level (EDUC 180 and EDUC 190 count toward this requirement).

• No more than 40 quarter units may be counted toward both degrees as follows:

• Up to 9 quarter units of SLS courses may count as part of the MA.

• Up to 31 quarter units of Graduate School of Education courses may count as part of the JD. (See the list of pre-approved cross-creditable courses below. In addition, all required/core courses and the inquiry courses are cross-creditable.) Please note that any SLS units of directed research, directed writing, externship, moot court, practicum, senior thesis, or research track reduce the number of non-law units on a one-for-one basis.

• A 3.0 GPA must be maintained for all letter-graded courses applied to the master’s degree.*
  * MA/JD students can take all MA courses for Credit/No Credit. In this case, the minimum GPA does not apply.

• English for Speakers of Other Languages (EFSLANG 600 level) and Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (ATHLETIC) courses cannot be applied toward the master’s degree.

• In rare cases, students may be permitted to petition for course requirements (NOT unit requirements). To petition course requirements, students must contact the Faculty Director of the program, Professor Bill Koski, and provide approval of the petition to the MA Programs Officer at the Graduate School of Education.

• Rules concerning pass-fail courses, independent study, grade point average, and so forth, will match those set for students in the Law program, and in the Graduate School of Education’s Master's Student Handbook in the year of matriculation in the joint degree program.

Students are strongly encouraged to take a course in inquiry in education. The following courses satisfy this area.

Core and inquiry courses (see above) may count as cross-creditable courses towards both MA and JD degrees within the constraints mentioned under Program Requirements above. In addition, several courses at the Graduate School of Education may count towards both degrees. These courses are:

Each of the following activities requires pre-approval from the Director of the MA/JD program:

• A practicum or field-based internship

• Directed reading tied to a Graduate School of Education research project

• Other directed reading

Students must complete at least 45 units at Stanford to receive the Master's degree in POLS. The following constraints are placed on those 45 units:

• All courses must be at or above the 100 level; courses numbered below 100 do not count toward the MA degree

• At least 23 units must be at or above the 200 level (EDUC 180 or EDUC 190 count toward this requirement)

• At least 27 units must be from courses offered by the Graduate School of Education (EDUC units)

• A minimum of 15 units must be completed for a letter grade

• A 3.0 GPA must be maintained across all courses applied to the master’s degree

• Students must enroll in a minimum of 11 units and a maximum of 18 units each quarter of the POLS program (autumn-spring)

• English for Foreign Students (EFSLANG 600 level) and Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (ATHLETIC) courses cannot be applied toward the master’s degree

• See the Coterminal Degree opens in a new tab section for unit requirements applying to students admitted through the coterminal degree program

The Master of Arts and the California preliminary multiple subject teaching credential require a minimum of 45 quarter units of graduate work. These courses are distributed over a four-quarter sequence. The distribution of these units is determined by course schedule, accreditation requirements, and a specially designed tuition plan.

1. STEP teacher candidates are admitted into the program in a specific subject area in which they wish to be credentialed. Teacher candidates attend the corresponding C&I class sequence and are assigned a teaching position in that content area

2. Courses must be at or above the 100 level and not be activity classes in order to be counted towards the minimum 45 units required for conferral of the master’s degree.

Optional elective course recommended for students pursuing the Bilingual Authorization pathway in addition to their California Preliminary Credential, which is not a part of the degree requirements for Elementary Education.

Students must complete at least 45 units to complete a Master's degree in Teaching of Biology. The courses are distributed over a four-quarter sequence. The distribution of these units is determined by course schedule, accreditation requirements, and a specially designed tuition plan.

Elective courses are optional for students who may wish to pursue an additional content area for the California Preliminary Credential, which is not a Teaching of Biology Requirement.

• Candidates have the option to take one to five elective units in education or in their academic subject area. It is recommended that teacher candidates take academic electives that strengthen their subject matter background. Teacher candidates with strong subject matter preparation, may arrange to take one or more School of Education classes as electives. Any academic electives must be related to the teacher candidate’s area of concentration or must focus on education issues. Teacher candidates should be able to provide a rationale for how the courses they select for the Master’s degree make coherent sense. Some examples of classes that do not fit the academic criteria are photography or physical education.

• Courses must be at or above the 100 level and not be activity classes in order to be counted towards the minimum 45 units required for conferral of the Master’s degree.

Students must complete at least 45 units to complete a Master's degree in Teaching of Physics. The courses are distributed over a four-quarter sequence. The distribution of these units is determined by course schedule, accreditation requirements, and a specially designed tuition plan.

Elective courses are optional for students who may wish to pursue an additional content area for the California Preliminary Credential, which is not a Teaching of Physics Requirement.

• Candidates have the option to take one to five elective units in education or in their academic subject area. It is recommended that teacher candidates take academic electives that strengthen their subject matter background. Teacher candidates with strong subject matter preparation, may arrange to take one or more School of Education classes as electives. Any academic electives must be related to the teacher candidate’s area of concentration or must focus on education issues. Teacher candidates should be able to provide a rationale for how the courses they select for the Master’s degree make coherent sense. Some examples of classes that do not fit the academic criteria are photography or physical education.

• Courses must be at or above the 100 level and not be activity classes in order to be counted towards the minimum 45 units required for conferral of the Master’s degree.

Students must complete at least 45 units to complete a Master's degree in Teaching of Chemistry. The courses are distributed over a four-quarter sequence. The distribution of these units is determined by course schedule, accreditation requirements, and a specially designed tuition plan.

Elective courses are optional for students who may wish to pursue an additional content area for the California Preliminary Credential, which is not a Teaching of Chemistry Requirement.

• Candidates have the option to take one to five elective units in education or in their academic subject area. It is recommended that teacher candidates take academic electives that strengthen their subject matter background. Teacher candidates with strong subject matter preparation, may arrange to take one or more School of Education classes as electives. Any academic electives must be related to the teacher candidate’s area of concentration or must focus on education issues. Teacher candidates should be able to provide a rationale for how the courses they select for the Master’s degree make coherent sense. Some examples of classes that do not fit the academic criteria are photography or physical education.

• Courses must be at or above the 100 level and not be activity classes in order to be counted towards the minimum 45 units required for conferral of the Master’s degree.

Students must complete at least 45 units to complete a Master's degree in Teaching of Earth Science. The courses are distributed over a four-quarter sequence. The distribution of these units is determined by course schedule, accreditation requirements, and a specially designed tuition plan.

Elective courses are optional for students who may wish to pursue an additional content area for the California Preliminary Credential, which is not a Teaching of Earth Science Requirement.

• Candidates have the option to take one to five elective units in education or in their academic subject area. It is recommended that teacher candidates take academic electives that strengthen their subject matter background. Teacher candidates with strong subject matter preparation, may arrange to take one or more School of Education classes as electives. Any academic electives must be related to the teacher candidate’s area of concentration or must focus on education issues. Teacher candidates should be able to provide a rationale for how the courses they select for the Master’s degree make coherent sense. Some examples of classes that do not fit the academic criteria are photography or physical education.

• Courses must be at or above the 100 level and not be activity classes in order to be counted towards the minimum 45 units required for conferral of the Master’s degree.

Students must complete at least 45 units to complete a Master's degree in Teaching of Social Science. The courses are distributed over a four-quarter sequence. The distribution of these units is determined by course schedule, accreditation requirements, and a specially designed tuition plan.

Elective courses are optional for students who may wish to pursue an additional content area for the California Preliminary Credential, which is not a Teaching of Social Science Requirement.

• Candidates have the option to take one to five elective units in education or in their academic subject area. It is recommended that teacher candidates take academic electives that strengthen their subject matter background. Teacher candidates with strong subject matter preparation, may arrange to take one or more School of Education classes as electives. Any academic electives must be related to the teacher candidate’s area of concentration or must focus on education issues. Teacher candidates should be able to provide a rationale for how the courses they select for the Master’s degree make coherent sense. Some examples of classes that do not fit the academic criteria are photography or physical education.

• Courses must be at or above the 100 level and not be activity classes in order to be counted towards the minimum 45 units required for conferral of the Master’s degree.

Students must complete at least 45 units to complete a Master's degree in Teaching of World Languages. The courses are distributed over a four-quarter sequence. The distribution of these units is determined by course schedule, accreditation requirements, and a specially designed tuition plan. Current World Language offered is Spanish.

Elective courses are optional for students who may wish to pursue an additional content area for the California Preliminary Credential, which is not a Teaching of World Languages Requirement.

• Candidates have the option to take one to five elective units in education or in their academic subject area. It is recommended that teacher candidates take academic electives that strengthen their subject matter background. Teacher candidates with strong subject matter preparation, may arrange to take one or more School of Education classes as electives. Any academic electives must be related to the teacher candidate’s area of concentration or must focus on education issues. Teacher candidates should be able to provide a rationale for how the courses they select for the Master’s degree make coherent sense. Some examples of classes that do not fit the academic criteria are photography or physical education.

• Courses must be at or above the 100 level and not be activity classes in order to be counted towards the minimum 45 units required for conferral of the Master’s degree.

Students must complete at least 45 units to complete a Master's degree in Teaching of Math. The courses are distributed over a four-quarter sequence. The distribution of these units is determined by course schedule, accreditation requirements, and a specially designed tuition plan.

Elective courses are optional for students who may wish to pursue an additional content area for the California Preliminary Credential, which is not a Teaching of Math Requirement.

• Candidates have the option to take one to five elective units in education or in their academic subject area. It is recommended that teacher candidates take academic electives that strengthen their subject matter background. Teacher candidates with strong subject matter preparation, may arrange to take one or more School of Education classes as electives. Any academic electives must be related to the teacher candidate’s area of concentration or must focus on education issues. Teacher candidates should be able to provide a rationale for how the courses they select for the Master’s degree make coherent sense. Some examples of classes that do not fit the academic criteria are photography or physical education.

• Courses must be at or above the 100 level and not be activity classes in order to be counted towards the minimum 45 units required for conferral of the Master’s degree.

Students must complete at least 45 units to complete a Master's degree in Teaching of English. The courses are distributed over a four-quarter sequence. The distribution of these units is determined by course schedule, accreditation requirements, and a specially designed tuition plan.

Elective courses are optional for students who may wish to pursue an additional content area for the California Preliminary Credential, which is not a Teaching of English Requirement.

• Candidates have the option to take one to five elective units in education or in their academic subject area. It is recommended that teacher candidates take academic electives that strengthen their subject matter background. Teacher candidates with strong subject matter preparation, may arrange to take one or more School of Education classes as electives. Any academic electives must be related to the teacher candidate’s area of concentration or must focus on education issues. Teacher candidates should be able to provide a rationale for how the courses they select for the Master’s degree make coherent sense. Some examples of classes that do not fit the academic criteria are photography or physical education.

• Courses must be at or above the 100 level and not be activity classes in order to be counted towards the minimum 45 units required for conferral of the Master’s degree.