EASYS-MA - Earth Systems (MA)
Download as PDF
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
For Academic Year 2025-2026 Coterm Applications will be available for submission during Winter and Spring Quarters.
Applications in 2025-26 are due:
January 20, 2026, to apply for Spring 2026 matriculation - Application opens October 1, 2025
April 21, 2026, to apply for Autumn 2026 matriculation - Application opens February 1, 2026
Applications must include:
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. Coterm Advisor Guidelines
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 Course - EARTHSYS 10 Introduction to Earth Systems. This courses may be taken concurrently with the MA degree but may not be counted toward the 45 units required for the MA degree.
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.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
Unit requirements:
A minimum of 45 units of course work and/or research credit (upon approval).
At least 34 units of the student's course work for the M.A. must be at the 200-level or above.
All remaining course work may be at the 100-level or above.
Up to 9 units of independent study are allowed, 3 of which are fulfilled by the required capstone course, Earthsys 294.
All courses for the M.A. degree must be taken for a letter grade when that option exists; courses not taken for a letter grade must be approved by the M.A. Director and Director of Earth Systems.
Transfer courses from other institutions are not permitted to count towards the master’s degree.
A minimum overall GPA of 3.4 must be maintained.
All Earth Systems coterminal master's students are required to take the Master’s Seminar, EARTHSYS 290 Master's Seminar.
Earthsys 10 may not be counted towards the required 45 units. Students must complete Earthsys 10 before MA degree conferral.
Complete all seven core courses, for a total of 23 units
Earthsys 290 for 3 units total
Earthsys 291 for 3 units total
Earthsys 292 for 3 units total
Earthsys 293 for 5 units total
Earthsys 294 for 3 units total
Earthsys 295 twice, for 1 unit each time
Earthsys 277C for 4 units OR Earthsys 277M for 4 units
Core courses are intended to give students a solid foundation in environmental communication theory and practice and exposure to the broad range of relevant research and various disciplines, approaches, genres, and expressions in environmental communication.
Course Offerings:
Autumn
Earthsys 290, Earthsys 291, Earthsys 292, Earthsys 293, Earthsys 294, Earthsys 295
Winter
Earthsys 290, Earthsys 293, Earthsys 294, Earthsys 277M
Spring
Earthsys 293, Earthsys 294, Earthsys 295, Earthsys 277C
Complete a minimum of 22 elective units.
All MA students are required to complete a minimum of 5 units of Earth Systems foundational coursework prior to their MA program completion. They may choose from the list of pre-approved courses below. These courses may count towards the required 45 units of the MA, as electives, or may remain in their undergraduate career.
In consultation with the MA director, each student should select a blend of communication-focused courses and courses in environmental science, policy, justice, art, humanities, or other fields. These courses should support the individual student’s goals for the master’s degree.
They must add up to a minimum of 22 units and be approved by the MA director. Environmental Communication students take courses in a wide range of disciplines, including courses offered by Earth Systems (EARTHSYS), the Department of Communication (COMM), the Graduate School of Education (EDUC), the Sustainability Science and Practice Program (SUST), courses in Art Practice (ARTSTUDI), Theater and Performance Studies (TAPS), Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity (CSRE) and many others.
Elective courses can be selected from virtually any Stanford department or program, pending permission to enroll from the sponsoring department or program and a strong case for including the course in an individual student’s cohesive degree plan.
The Earth Systems MA allows up to 9 units of independent study, 3 of which are fulfilled by the required capstone course, Earthsys 294.
All MA students are required to complete a minimum of 5 units of Earth Systems foundational coursework prior to their MA program completion. They may choose from the list of pre-approved courses below. These courses may count towards the required 45 units of the MA, as electives, or may remain in their undergraduate career.