EASYS-MA - Earth Systems (MA)

N/A

Purpose of Advising

Each student in the Earth Systems Master of Arts, Environmental Communication program has two academic advisors: the director of the MA program and an academic co-advisor. The co-advisor can be an Academic Council member or any full-time Stanford employee with a teaching appointment selected by the student in consultation with the MA director.

The primary purpose of the advisor in the Earth Systems coterminal MA programs is to help guide the academic development of advisees. Advisors help advisees design comprehensive, rigorous, interdisciplinary curricula that enable each student to acquire mastery of their chosen field(s). A few coterms may also choose to conduct research and write a master’s thesis under the guidance of their advisor. Earth Systems staff members can provide additional guidance on selecting courses, navigating policies and degree requirements, preparing for future employment, and exploring professional pathways.

Expectations

Candidates for the coterminal master’s programs in Earth Systems Environmental Communication must see with the MA program director before applying to the coterm program. Students may choose their academic co-advisor while applying or during their first quarter as master’s students. Students are expected to meet with their advisors at least once per quarter to discuss degree progress and new course selections. Students must obtain the MA director’s signed approval on their course plan each quarter as courses taken may differ from the original course plan submitted with the coterm application. The final curriculum must stay true to the scope and rigor of the initially approved curriculum, even if some of the individual courses change.

Because Earth Systems is an interdisciplinary program with no faculty; the program relies upon faculty and staff in related departments to advise its students. This is particularly important for coterm students who are embarking on advanced studies and need the expertise of their advisors for curriculum planning and academic development. The program greatly appreciates this advising support, and the Earth Systems staff is available for any questions and to help however we can.

See Graduate Advising for a statement of university policy on graduate advising.