Skip to main content

EASYS-MA - Earth Systems (MA)

Earth Systems Earth Systems MA - Master of Arts

Program Overview

The coterminal master’s degree in Earth Systems, Environmental Communication provides the student with enhanced theoretical frameworks, analytical tools, and applied skills in various domains of environmental communication. Specialization is gained through courses, independent project work, and a professional practicum placement supervised by the Earth Systems MA director and an academic co-advisor.

Admissions Information

Application cycles are every autumn, winter, and spring quarter.

Applications in 2023-24 are due:

  • October 24, 2023, to apply for winter 2024 matriculation

  • January 30, 2024, to apply for spring 2024 matriculation

  • May 7, 2024, to apply for autumn 2024-25 matriculation

    Applications must include:

  • Coterminal application

  • A statement of purpose

  • A resume

  • A current Stanford unofficial transcript

  • Two letters of recommendation, one from the MA. Director (Thomas Hayden) and one from another approved academic advisor.

  • Master’s Program Proposal (MA): A list of courses that fulfill degree requirements signed by the MA director and the recommending advisor or the proposed academic co-advisor. 

Applications must be submitted no later than the quarter before the expected completion of the undergraduate degree. The specific application deadline for each quarter is listed above or can be obtained from the Earth Systems Program office.

  • Students applying to the coterminal master’s program must have completed at least 120 units toward graduation with a minimum overall Stanford GPA of 3.4.

  • All applicants must devise a study program that shows a specialization level appropriate to the master’s level, as determined in consultation with the MA director and the Director of Earth Systems.

  • Students applying from an undergraduate major other than Earth Systems should also review their undergraduate course list with the MA director.

  • Applicants will be notified of the admission decision in writing, typically 3-4 weeks after the application deadline.

  • The Registrar’s Office will assess a $125 application fee for those accepted and enrolled in the program.

  • Coterminal master’s students can confer their undergraduate degree after completing that degree’s requirements or confer their undergraduate and MA degrees concurrently after completing the master’s program.

Students interested in applying to the Earth Systems Master of Arts, Environmental Communication should contact the MA director, Thomas Hayden (thayden@stanford.edu).

Students may apply to the Earth Systems Master of Arts, Environmental Communication degree from any undergraduate major. However, all admitted students must also complete the Earth Systems Core, i.e., EARTHSYS 10 Introduction to Earth Systems, EARTHSYS 111 Biology and Global Change, and EARTHSYS 112 Human Society and Environmental Change. These courses may be taken concurrently with the MA degree but may not be counted toward the 45 units required for the MA degree. In consultation with the MA Director, these courses may be actively audited rather than taken for credit. Rarely, additional prerequisites or foundational courses may be required depending on each student’s academic background and intended focus, as determined in consultation with the MA director, faculty co-advisor, and the Director of Earth Systems.