EASYS-MS - Earth Systems (MS)

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.

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.

• 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:

• Coterminal application

• 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 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.