Program Requirements

Students will take a minimum of 20 courses (51 units over 21 months) in order to complete their Education Data Science program. There are several requirements:

• Minimum of 11 courses from the core curriculum including education data science courses (2 courses), statistics courses (2 courses), EDS seminar (6 courses), and the Education Internship Workshop (1 course).
• Minimum of 3 courses for the Educational Foundation.
• Minimum of 6 courses in at least 3 areas of data science specialization.
• A minimum of 17 units must be completed for a letter grade.
• 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.
• Note: if you wish to maintain eligibility to receive financial aid (such as loans), you must enroll in at least 8 units during the academic year and at least 6 units during summer.
• All courses must be at or above the 100 level – courses numbered below 100 do not count toward the MS degree.
• At least 25 units must be at or above the 200 level (EDUC 180 or 190 count toward this requirement).
• At least 30 units must be from courses offered by the Graduate School of Education (EDUC units).
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOLLANG) and Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (ATHLETIC) courses cannot be applied towards the master's degree.
• EDS students will design a course of study in consultation with the Program Director to ensure individual training goals are met.

The goal of the EDS MS is to train the next generation of data scientists who have a substantive background and concern with educational topics. The requirements are aimed at accomplishing this goal, but we recognize students may come in with more developed skills and background in certain areas and more room to grow in others. As a result, it may be advisable for students to request changes to course requirements, substituting various courses and building expertise where needed so as to make sure the EDS program trains students to be the best education data scientists possible. To this end, students can propose substituting certain course requirements after discussion, review, and approval by the program director so as to make sure training goals are satisfied. Requests for substitutions should be made through a petition form.

Program Requirements

Each MA candidate will work closely with a faculty advisor to develop an individualized program of study that reflects the student's particular interests. As students in this program are not part of a cohort taking courses together, they must be able to work independently, under an advisor's supervision, in order to complete program requirements based on current course offerings. It is both the advisor's and the student's responsibility to make sure that each student successfully completes a coherent program of study and research that advances the student's professional goals.

Students have the opportunity to develop specializations around particular subject matters or areas (e.g., English, literacy, mathematics, science, history) depending upon their interests and their advisor's areas of expertise. These specializations are negotiated individually with the faculty advisor and are contingent upon course offerings and directed reading/research opportunities. Students can take courses across the Graduate School of Education and the university at large. In addition to coursework, students conduct a final project that will allow them to focus in depth on a particular area of interest.

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 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 a minimum of 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 towards the master's degree.
• See the "Coterminal Degree" section for unit requirements applying to students admitted through the coterminal degree program.

Breadth Requirements

Students are required to complete courses fulfilling the 2 breadth requirements: Behavioral & Social Sciences and Normative Studies. See below for a list of pre-approved courses.

Program Requirements

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 or 190 count toward this requirement).
• At least 30 units must be from courses offered by the Graduate School of Education (EDUC units).
• At least 16 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 (ESOLLANG) and Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (ATHLETIC) courses cannot be applied towards the master's degree.
• All courses taken outside the GSE must be approved by the Program Director.
• See the "Coterminal Degree” section for unit requirements applying to students admitted through the coterminal degree program.

Program Requirements

Joint MA/MBA students spend most of their first year fulfilling the requirements of the MBA curriculum. Students may take Graduate School of Education (GSE) courses once they begin enrolling in electives, typically Spring quarter of their first year. During their second year, students have the opportunity to take a variety of courses at the GSB and the GSE.

The following section pertains to the Graduate School of Education (GSE) requirements for the MA portion of the Joint MA/MBA degree. In addition to the following guidelines, students should consult the academic requirements specified by the Graduate School of Business (GSB) for the MBA portion of the Joint MA/MBA and the Stanford Bulletin.

The Program Director for the MA/MBA Program is Senior Associate Dean Geoffrey Cox (gcox@stanford.edu). All inquiries about the program from prospective and active students may be directed to him.

Requirements for Classes of 2026 and 2027

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 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).
• 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 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 cross-listed units may count toward both degrees.
• 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 set forth in the MBA Student Handbook apply.

Course Requirements

Students are required to enroll in EDUC 393: Proseminar: Education, Business, Politics in the Winter Quarter of their first year.

Program Requirements

The Joint Degree with the Public Policy Program is intended for POLS MA students who are 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 2 years (6 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 and 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 towards both degrees.
• ​English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOLLANG) and Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (ATHLETIC) courses cannot be applied towards the master's degree.
• See the "Coterminal Degree" section for unit requirements applying to students admitted through the coterminal degree program.

Advising and Plan of Study

Beginning in their first year, students are expected to discuss a coherent program of study with Ann Jaquith 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 5pm. 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 5pm. 

For further information on course requirements, please visit the POLS page of the MA Handbook.

Program Requirements

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 adviser, 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 must be 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 or 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 are permitted to take all MA courses for Credit/No Credit. In this case, the minimum GPA does not apply.
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOLLANG) and Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (ATHLETIC) courses cannot be applied towards the master's degree.
• In rare cases, students may be permitted to petition 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 MA Student Handbook in the year of matriculation in the joint degree program.

Courses

Please consult ExploreCourses and Axess for the most updated course offering and scheduling information.

Core

2 courses required. Students must take one course from two of the three categories: Organizations, Policy, and History.

Program Requirements

Students must complete at least 45 units at Stanford to receive the master's degree in LDT. 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 master's degree.
• At least 23 units (half of the total minimum units) must be at or above the 200 level. EDUC 180 and 190 count toward this requirement.
• At least 30 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 or Satisfactory).
• A 3.0 GPA must be maintained for all courses applied to the master's degree.
• All students must enroll in a minimum of 8 units during Autumn, Winter and Spring Quarters, and cannot exceed 18 units in any quarter (exception: HCP students take 3-7 units)
• LDT students are required to register for exactly 6 units in the Summer quarter. The remaining 39 units need to be completed in Autumn, Winter and Spring quarters. 
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOLLANG) and Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (ATHLETIC) courses cannot be applied towards the master's degree.
• See the “Coterminal Degree” section for unit requirements applying to students admitted through the coterminal degree program.

Program Requirements

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 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 Speakers of Other Languages (ESOLLANG) and Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (ATHLETIC) courses cannot be applied towards the Master's degree.
• See the "Coterminal Degree" section for unit requirements applying to students admitted through the coterminal degree program.

2024-2025 POLS Field Placement & Project

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 also 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.  

2024-2025 POLS Course Requirements

The Individually Designed M.A. in Education is intended for doctoral students at Stanford who would like to earn a Master of Arts in Education while studying for their Ph.D. or M.D 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 3 years.

Program Requirements

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:

• 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 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.
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOLLANG) and Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (ATHLETIC) courses cannot be applied towards the master's degree.

Prospective students must submit the following for consideration into the program:

• A statement of purpose indicating the relevance of a MA in Education to the student's doctoral degree.
• A preliminary program proposal outlining the proposed coursework for the master's degree. 
• If admitted to the program, a Graduate Program Authorization Petition must be submitted via Axess and be approved by the student's home department.

Coursework Planning

The Associate Dean for Student 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 for Student 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 in more detail with the Assistant Director of Degree Programs and their MA program advisor.