EASYS-MS - Earth Systems (MS)
Program Overview
Coterminal Master of Science in Earth Systems
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.
Coterminal master’s degree candidates are expected to complete all master’s degree requirements as described in this Bulletin. Coterminal Master's Degrees describes university requirements for the coterminal master’s degree. Graduate Degrees describes the university requirements for the master’s degree.
After accepting admission to this coterminal master’s degree program, students may request a transfer of courses from the undergraduate to the graduate career to satisfy the requirements for the master’s degree. Transferring courses to the graduate career requires review and approval of both the undergraduate and graduate programs on a case-by-case basis.
In this master’s program, courses taken during or after the first quarter of the sophomore year are eligible for consideration for transfer to the graduate career; the timing of the first graduate quarter is not a factor. No courses taken before the first quarter of the sophomore year may be used to meet master’s degree requirements.
Course transfers are not possible after the bachelor’s degree has been conferred.
The university requires that the graduate advisor be assigned in the student’s first graduate quarter even though the undergraduate career may still be open. The university also requires that the Master’s Degree Program Proposal be completed by the student and approved by the department by the end of the student’s first graduate quarter.
Admissions Information
Admission
Applications in 2024-25 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
A statement of purpose
A resume
A current Stanford unofficial transcript
Two letters of recommendation: one must be from your master’s advisor, who must be on Academic Council. 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 or can be obtained from the Earth Systems Program office. The Registrar’s Office assesses an application fee for coterminal applications once students are enrolled in the program.
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 Deana Fabbro-Johnston or Richard Nevle.
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 that degree’s requirements or confer their undergraduate and MS degrees concurrently after completing the master’s program.