Do you offer financial aid to M.A. students?

The School of Education makes every effort to help students who require financial assistance to meet tuition and living expenses. Unfortunately, limited aid is available to M.A. admitted students. Most students fund their studies through a combination of loans and personal funds. For more information on funding opportunities for M.A. students, please review the Financial Aid section of our website.


Do you offer financial aid to Ph.D. students?

Yes. Students in the Ph.D. programs are automatically funded through a combination of fellowships and assistantships for the first four years of their graduate studies. Funding is contingent upon satisfactory progress toward the degree requirements. For more information on funding opportunities for Ph.D. students, please review the Financial Aid section of our website.

How much financial aid do you provide to Ph.D. students?

Ph.D. students are funded for full-time course load (11-18 units) in their first year through a school fellowship and work for 10 hours/week as research assistants. In the second through the fourth years, students are able to work for 20 hours/week as research or teaching assistants and enroll in 8-10 units of coursework. The assistantships generate tuition support through the School and provide a student salary. For more information on funding opportunities for Ph.D. students, please review the Financial Aid section of our website.

Is there a separate application form for financial aid?

For Ph.D. and M.A. applicants (except STEP): There is no separate application form. However, you must answer “Yes” to the question on the application form that asks: “Are you applying for Financial Aid from Stanford University.”

Admitted students to the Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP) will be required to submit additional information in order to be fully matched with available funds. If you are a STEP applicant and you wish to be considered for financial aid, you must complete the STEP Fellowship application and answer “Yes” to the question on the application form that asks: “Are you applying for Financial Aid from Stanford University.”

How do I indicate my desire to be considered for financial aid?

You must apply to receive financial aid by submitting your FAFSA and Stanford financial aid application forms. Applicants will receive an email from the Office of Academic Services with their ID number which is required to submit the financial aid applications. You need not wait until you hear about your admission decision from SUSE to apply for aid.

Do I need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?

All applicants to departmental graduate programs at Stanford must take the GRE. The School of Education only requires the general GRE and not the subject GRE.

What is the last date that I can take the GRE?

Please arrange to take the test early to ensure that your scores reach us by the application deadline (it can often take up to 4 weeks for ETS to send the scores electronically). Applicants who take the test after they submit their application online should fax their GRE score report to the Admissions Officer at 650-725-7412 as soon they receive them from ETS AND arrange to have ETS send your official scores to Stanford University at institution code 4704.

If you include your GRE test scores in your online application, you do not need to fax your score report to us. However, you are still required to have ETS send your official scores to Stanford University. Files that miss official GRE scores are incomplete and may not be reviewed.

How recent must my GRE scores be?

GRE scores are valid for approximately five years from the date taken. No scores are valid beyond the date ETS will send or resend them to schools. Valid scores are those for test dates on or after October 1, 2004.

What is the minimum GRE score required in order to be considered for admission?

The School of Education does not have a cutoff GRE score requirement. The evaluation of each applicant is based on all the materials in the file and is not exclusively based on test scores. The School of Education does not provide average GRE score information of previous applicants or current students.

Where should I have my GRE scores sent?

Applicants should have the Educational Testing Service (ETS) send their scores electronically to Stanford University. Our university code is 4704. It is not necessary to indicate a department code. Self-reported scores are not official until Stanford receives the electronic record from ETS.

Do I have to take the subject matter portion of the GRE?

No. The School of Education only requires the general GRE and not the subject matter portion of the GRE.

Do I need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?

TOEFL is required from all applicants whose first language is not English regardless of citizenship. Exception:

- Individuals who have completed (not only attended) a bachelor’s degree or a two-year master’s degree (or the equivalent of either degree) at a recognized institution where all instruction is provided in English. This does not apply if the courses were completed in a country where English is spoken, though not all courses were provided in English.

For more information on TOEFL requirements, visit Stanford University's central Office of Graduate Admissions website.

How recent must my TOEFL scores be?

TOEFL scores submitted to Stanford must be from a test taken within the last 18 months. No scores are valid beyond the date ETS will send or resend them to schools.

What is the minimum TOEFL score required in order to be considered for admission?

The minimum TOEFL scores required are 250 for the computer-based test, 600 for the paper-based test and 100 for the internet-based test.

Where should I have my TOEFL scores sent?

Applicants should have the Educational Testing Service (ETS) send scores electronically to Stanford University. The university code is 4704. It is not necessary to indicate a department code. Self-reported scores are not official until Stanford receives the electronic record from ETS.

What is the minimum GPA score required in order to be considered for admission?

The School of Education does not have a minimum GPA requirement. The evaluation of each applicant is based on all the materials in the file and is not exclusively based on test scores or GPA. SUSE does not provide average GPA or test score information of previous applicants or current students.

Do you require the Test for Spoken English (TSE)?

No, we do not require the Test for Spoken English.

What are the codes for test score reporting?

Stanford's institution codes are listed below. No department code is required.
GRE: 4704
TOEFL: 4704
CSET: 582
SSAT: 582
Praxis: RA4704
CBEST: 327

Can I submit transcripts online in PDF format?

Yes. It is highly recommended that you submit your transcripts in PDF format on the online application, as this will expedite the application process. In addition, you are also required to send official transcripts.


Will you accept sealed letters of recommendation and transcripts if I mail them myself?

Yes. Please make sure that your recommenders sign the envelope seal and ensure that your official transcripts are also in sealed envelopes.

Do I need to have transcripts submitted for every college-level class I have taken?

No. We only require transcripts from postsecondary institutions you have attended as a full-time student for one year (i.e. three quarters or two semesters) or longer.

How many copies of each transcript should I arrange to be mailed?

It is highly recommended that you submit your transcripts online, then you are required to send two official transcript copies mailed to:

Stanford University School of Education
Academic Services - Admissions
485 Lasuen Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-3096

STEP applicants should mail their transcripts to:

Stanford University School of Education
Academic Services - STEP Admissions
485 Lasuen Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-3096

Can letters of recommendation be faxed or e-mailed to the School of Education?

No. Recommenders have two options for submitting letters of recommendation: online via the online application (preferred method) or on paper via mail:

Stanford University School of Education
Academic Services - Admissions
485 Lasuen Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-3096

STEP applicants should mail their transcripts to:

Stanford University School of Education
Academic Services - STEP Admissions
485 Lasuen Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-3096

Who can be recommenders?

Faculty or others who qualify to evaluate your potential for graduate study can serve as recommenders. At least one evaluation and letter should be from a faculty member at the last school you attended as a full-time student (unless you have been out of school for more than five years). Substitutions for faculty recommendations may include work associates or others who can comment on your academic potential for graduate work.

Are there any additional requirements to apply to STEP?

Additional forms are required to apply to STEP and can be found at http://ed.stanford.edu/suse/admissions/admissions-application-requirements.html.

Please mail them to:

Stanford University School of Education
Academic Services – STEP Admissions
485 Lasuen Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-3096

Where do I upload the STEP essay and transcript summary?

STEP essay: You are required to write a STEP-specific essay responding to the STEP prompt. You can choose to write a single essay incorporating both the prompt on the online application and the STEP-specific prompt. One or both essays can be submitted electronically with your online application by uploading them into the personal statement section. If you chose to write two essays please combine them into one word document before uploading.

Transcript Summary: In the online application there will be a section to upload additional documents. Use that upload feature to submit the summary online.

What should be included in the STEP application essay?

Successful applicants demonstrate an intellectual passion for their subject area, commitment to teach traditionally underserved populations, and an interest in issues of social justice. Applicants should also convey why STEP is a good fit for their goals and how they can contribute to the program.

Which exams do I need to take by the deadline to be eligible for STEP?

The GRE is the only exam that is required to be completed by the application deadline. However, we strongly encourage applicants to take the California Subject Exam for Teachers (CSET) in their intended subject area as early as possible. All STEP candidates will be required to pass a minimum of one half of the subtests in their subject area prior to starting STEP in June.

California residents are expected to submit passing CBEST scores with their application. Out of state residents may take the CBEST in August after they are enrolled in STEP.


What is the CSET and when should it be taken?

The California Subject Exam for Teachers (CSET) is a subject specific test required by the state of California. We urge applicants to take the test or at least sign up for the CSET before applying to STEP. Applications will be reviewed if candidates have not taken the exams or have not received their results by the application deadline. To begin the program in June, applicants must pass a minimum of one half of the CSET subtests in their intended teaching subject. Candidates must ultimately pass all subtests to begin independent student teaching and be credentialed upon completion of the program.

Note for out of state applicants: STEP organizes an open house in March for admitted STEP students only, the Friday before the CSET exam. If you are admitted to the STEP program, you will need to take the exam no later than March in California.

Is teaching experience necessary?

Applicants to STEP do not need teaching experience to apply. However, experience working with youth (i.e. tutoring, coaching, church groups) is strongly recommended.

Is the California teaching credential recognized in other states?

Yes. California has reciprocity with most states and transferring the credential is usually a simple process. Check with the state where you will seek equivalency for their requirements.

Who should write letters of recommendation?

Professors and people who have seen your work with youth are good choices for writing letters of recommendation. The letters should speak to your commitment to the profession, character, work ethic, and academic ability. It might also include why you would be a good fit for the STEP program.

What are the financial aid opportunities for STEP students?

The STEP program makes every effort to help students who require financial assistance to meet tuition and living expenses. Fellowships range between $2,000 and $30,000 per student. The fellowship application is part of the supplemental form in the online application and should be completed before you submit your online application.

How many students are in the program?

STEP secondary consists of approximately 70 students in five subject areas: English, Mathematics, History/Social Science, Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Physics) and World Languages (Spanish, Japanese, German, French, Mandarin). STEP elementary consists of approxiamtely 25 students.

How many students have jobs when they graduate? How many stay in California?

The vast majority of STEP students are offered teaching jobs when they graduate. STEP works closely with students in the spring quarter to create their resumes and prepare students for the interview process. Approximately 70% of students choose to teach in California.

Can applicants speak to STEP alumni?

Yes. Please contact Kristen Babineau (kbabineau@stanford.edu) who will be happy to put you in touch with a current student or alumni from the program.

Where can I find information about STEP on the web?

For more information on STEP please visit http://suse-step.stanford.edu/.

Who should I contact with questions?

Please contact Kristen Babineau, STEP Program Coordinator, at kbabineau@stanford.edu.