Graduate Programs at Stanford University

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Top graduate programs offered by Stanford University

Stanford University offers a wide range of graduate programs across multiple disciplines. These graduate programs are typically offered by the different schools within the university. Here are some of the major graduate programs available at Stanford Schools:

  • Graduate School of Business (GSB): Master of Business Administration (MBA), and MSx Program (Executive Master of Science in Management)
  • School of Medicine: Doctor of Medicine (MD), Master of Science in Medicine (MSM), Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics (MS), Master of Science in Community Health and Prevention Research (MS), Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Informatics (PhD), Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology (PhD), Doctor of Philosophy in Health Services Research (PhD), and many more specialized programs in medical and health-related fields
  • School of Engineering: Master of Science (MS) in various engineering disciplines (e.g., Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, etc.), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in engineering disciplines
  • School of Humanities and Sciences: Master's and Doctoral programs in various humanities and social science disciplines, such as History, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, and others.
  • School of Earth, Energy, and Environmental Sciences: Master's and Doctoral programs in Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, and Energy Resources Engineering.
  • School of Education: Master of Arts (MA) and Doctoral programs in Education-related fields.
  • School of Law: Juris Doctor (JD) program, Master of Laws (LLM) program, and Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD) program


Are there any one-year master's programs or accelerated master's programs offered at Stanford?

There are many one-year master's programs offered by Stanford University that allow students to complete their education in a short period of time. Examples of one-year and accelerated master's programs at Stanford University may include:

  • Stanford MSx Program: A one-year, full-time, cohort-based master's program at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. It is designed for experienced professionals with at least eight years of work experience.
  • Stanford STEP (Stanford Teacher Education Program): An accelerated program for aspiring teachers that can be completed in one academic year. It prepares students for careers in education and teaching.
  • Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) Accelerated M.A. Program: A one-year master's program focused on economics, particularly for students interested in economics research.


Can transfer credits from graduate programs at other institutions be applied toward a degree at Stanford?

Transfer credits are accepted by Stanford University. After one-quarter of enrollment, students may apply for transfer credit for graduate work done at another institution if they are pursuing an Engineer, D.M.A., or Ph. D. Note: if you also earned your master's degree at Stanford, you are not eligible for transfer residency credit. Transfer credit is reviewed and awarded by Stanford's Office of the University Registrar according to Faculty Senate policy. While Stanford has no articulation agreements with any college or institution, a course generally receives transfer credit if it meets the following conditions:

  • It is completed at an accredited institution.
  • It is substantially similar to courses offered at Stanford.
  • It is completed with a grade of C- or better.
  • It does not duplicate, overlap, or regress previous coursework.

Incoming transfer students may transfer a maximum of 90 quarter units (roughly two years of full-time college or university study) to Stanford regardless of the number of units earned at previous institutions. While transfer students are eligible to apply with more than two years of coursework from a previous institution, note that students are required to complete at least two years of full-time enrollment at Stanford in order to attain a bachelor's degree from the university.


Do Stanford Graduate programs offer early decision or early action application processes?

Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) plans are nonbinding and/or binding, respectively, and are not offered by Stanford University. Rather, Stanford provides students with Restrictive Early Action (REA), a nonbinding strategy that permits early application and early decision-making but limits the student's ability to apply to any other private or early binding public college or university. Under Regular Decision, students can still apply to other universities.


Career opportunities and salary expectations for Stanford University graduates holding a master's degree

Stanford University graduates from master's degree programs go on to pursue a wide range of careers in various sectors. The specific employment outcomes and salary levels after obtaining a master's degree can vary depending on the field of study, individual qualifications, prior work experience, and prevailing job market conditions. It is important to note that employment outcomes can also change over time.

Stanford University provides career services and resources to support graduate students in their career development. The Office of Career Services (OCS) offers guidance, networking opportunities, and access to job postings and internships. They can provide more detailed and up-to-date information on the specific career paths and employment statistics for graduates in different fields.

Additionally, Stanford's alumni network is extensive and can offer valuable networking and career opportunities. Many graduates leverage the strong reputation of Stanford University to access prestigious job placements and opportunities.



Graduate Programs Offered

104 Graduate Programs Offered
92 Master’s Programs Offered
72 PHD Programs Offered

Graduate Students Enrollment Count

20961 Students enrolled (Undergraduate & Graduate)
12497 Students Enrolled (Only Graduate Programs)
- Students Enrolled in Online Programs
- International Students Enrolled

Graduate Tuition

$55,011 In-state tuition & fees
$55,011 Out-state tuition & fees

Stanford University offers the following Graduate Programs:

Stanford University Graduate Program - Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender And Group Studies
Stanford University Graduate Program - Computer Science, Information Systems and Information Technology
Stanford University Graduate Program - Education and Teaching
Stanford University Graduate Program - English Language, Literature and Cultural Studies
Stanford University Graduate Program - Liberal Arts And Sciences And Humanities
Stanford University Graduate Program - Parks, Recreation, Leisure And Fitness Studies
Stanford University Graduate Program - Counseling and Behavioral Psychology
Stanford University Graduate Program - Public Administration And Social Service
Stanford University Graduate Program - Social Sciences and Studies
Stanford University Graduate Program - Health Professions
Stanford University Graduate Program - MBA (Business/ Management/ Marketing)
Stanford University Graduate Program - History Studies

Graduate Programs with highest enrollment

Stanford University most popular Master's Degree programs with respect to the students enrolled in the top 5 most popular graduate programs

  • Law : 182
  • Civil Engineering : 177
  • Mechanical Engineering : 163
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering : 142
  • Medicine : 92