EASYS-MS - Earth Systems (MS)
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Program Overview
The Earth Systems Program offers current Stanford University undergraduates the opportunity to apply for a one-year coterminal master’s program. The Earth Systems Program is interdisciplinary. Students may select the topic area where they’d like to advance their knowledge in consultation with their master’s advisor. Students learn about and investigate complex environmental problems caused by human activities in conjunction with natural changes in the Earth system. Earth Systems Coterm students gain advanced knowledge to tackle the world’s most pressing social-environmental problems and sustainability challenges.
Admissions Information
The Master's in Earth Systems is not open for general admission. Stanford undergraduates seeking to apply for coterm status should refer to the Coterm admissions instructions below.
Coterm 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
Components of Coterminal Application:
A resume
A current Stanford unofficial transcript
Two letters of recommendation: one must be from your master’s advisor, who must be on the Academic Council and the other letter may be from another academic staff member at Stanford. Review: Coterm Advisor Guidelines
Master’s Program Proposal (MS.) A list of courses that fulfill degree requirements, signed by your 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.
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 in consultation with their master’s advisor.
Students must also review their program proposal with either Diana Moanga or Richard Nevle and obtain their signature.
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. To apply, students should submit an online application.
Coterminal master’s students can confer their undergraduate degree after completing 1 quarter of overlap with both Undergraduate and Graduate careers active.
Students may confer their Undergraduate and Graduate degrees concurrently after completing the master’s program.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
These courses may not be counted as part of the 45 required MS units.
These pre-requisite courses do not have to be completed before applying to the coterm program, but must be completed by graduation.
Students may petition to have alternative courses satisfy pre-requisite courses listed below.
Natural Science Course
Pre-requisite courses may not be counted as part of the 45 required MS units.
Pre-requisites do not have to be completed before applying to the coterm program, but must be completed by graduation.
Students may petition to have alternative courses satisfy pre-requisite courses listed below.
One Environmental Justice Course
Pre-requisite courses may not be counted as part of the 45 required MS units.
Pre-requisites do not have to be completed before applying to the coterm program, but must be completed by graduation.
Students may petition to have alternative courses satisfy pre-requisite courses listed below.
One Math Course
Pre-requisite courses may not be counted as part of the 45 required MS units.
Pre-requisites do not have to be completed before applying to the coterm program, but must be completed by graduation.
Students may petition to have alternative courses satisfy pre-requisite courses listed below.
Chemistry or Physics Course
Pre-requisite courses may not be counted as part of the 45 required MS units.
Pre-requisites do not have to be completed before applying to the coterm program, but must be completed by graduation.
Students may petition to have alternative courses satisfy pre-requisite courses listed below.
One Statistics Course
Pre-requisite courses may not be counted as part of the 45 required MS units.
Pre-requisites do not have to be completed before applying to the coterm program, but must be completed by graduation.
Students may petition to have alternative courses satisfy pre-requisite courses listed below.
Complete all of the following
Pre-requisite courses may not be counted as part of the 45 required MS units.
Pre-requisites do not have to be completed before applying to the coterm program, but must be completed by graduation.
Students may petition to have alternative courses satisfy pre-requisite courses listed below.
Pre-requisite courses may not be counted as part of the 45 required MS units.
Pre-requisites do not have to be completed before applying to the coterm program, but must be completed by graduation.
Students may petition to have alternative courses satisfy pre-requisite courses listed below.
Students preparing an M.S. Thesis, which is not required for the degree, may take up to 8 units of Earthsys 299- M.S. Thesis with their master’s advisor and must take 1 unit of EARTHSYS 299A – Thesis Workshop.
M.S. Thesis Resources
The Master of Science degree in Earth Systems allows specialization through graduate-level coursework.
The following are required of all M.S. students:
A minimum of 45 units of coursework and/or research credit (upon approval).
At least 34 units of the student’s coursework for the master’s program must be at the 200-level or above.
All remaining coursework must be at the 100-level or above.
Up to nine units of research (Earthsys 297-Directed Individual Study and/or Earthsys 250-Directed Research) may be completed with their Master’s Advisor. This will enrich building mastery in the field through regular communication with their Master's Advisor.
All courses for the master’s program must be taken for a letter grade; courses not taken for a letter grade must be approved by the master’s advisor and Director of Earth Systems.
A minimum overall GPA of 3.4 must be maintained.
All coterminal master’s students must take the capstone course, EARTHSYS 290 Master’s Seminar.
Students may use 8 units of Earthsys 323: Stanford at Sea towards the required 45 units. Please note- Although the entire 16 unit course must be in your graduate career, only 8 units will be applied towards the required 45 units.
Students preparing an M.S. thesis (Optional), may take up to 8 units of Earthsys 299- M.S. Thesis with the master’s advisor and must take 1 unit of EARTHSYS 299A – Thesis Workshop.