Advising

The Master of Arts in International Policy (MIP) program is committed to providing comprehensive academic advising that supports students' scholarly, professional, and personal development. Effective advising is a collaborative, ongoing partnership between advisors and students, built on regular communication, mutual respect, professionalism, and integrity. Students are expected to actively engage in the advising process by seeking guidance, preparing for advising meetings, and taking responsibility for understanding university policies and MIP degree requirements.

Each MIP student is assigned three advisors: a faculty advisor, a program advisor, and a career advisor.

The faculty advisor, assigned during Autumn Quarter of the student's first year based on the student's academic interests and subplan, provides guidance on substantive matters, intellectual exploration, and professional development. Students are expected to meet with their faculty advisor at least once each quarter and are responsible for scheduling these meetings. Faculty advisors also help students navigate Stanford's academic resources, identify opportunities aligned with their interests, and connect with other faculty members whose expertise supports their academic and career goals. Students are encouraged to build relationships with faculty beyond their assigned advisor.

The program advisor (the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Services) advises all students on degree requirements, academic planning and progress, university and program policies, enrollment planning, and other academic or personal matters affecting student success.

The career advisor (the MIP Career Development and Alumni Engagement Manager) provides guidance on internships, career skillbuilding and planning, professional development, and alumni engagement.

The MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Services and the MIP Program Coordinator monitor students' academic progress and completion of program requirements and milestones. Students are responsible for tracking their degree progress through My Academic Path (MAP) and completing all required program milestones.

Students must submit the MIP Program Proposal during Spring Quarter of their first year of enrollment. (This deadline differs from the general university policy.) The Program Proposal is a required departmental milestone that establishes the student's program of study and demonstrates how degree requirements will be satisfied.

Students must also submit the MIP Graduation Program Proposal no later than the quarter in which they apply to graduate. Completion and approval of this required milestone is necessary for degree conferral. 

Program proposal forms and additional advising resources are available on the MIP website opens in a new tab.

More detailed information on advising is available in the MIP Student Handbook opens in a new tab. Additional information on graduate student forms is included in the handbook and under Degree Requirements on this website.

The program adheres to the advising guidelines and responsibilities listed by the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education opens in a new tab (VPGE) and in Graduate Academic Policies opens in a new tab (GAP).