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Dear Prospective Master’s Student:

I am delighted that you are interested in the Stanford University School of Education!

This page gives you just a glimpse of the full roster of our master’s programs. I would encourage you to read this list carefully before you select the program that seems best for you. Although this page tells you only a little about each program -- and you can learn much more by clicking on any of the program links -- it may be enough to pique your interest in a program you had not considered when you first came to our website.

All our master’s programs share some common characteristics. First, we keep classes small to encourage intensive interaction with professors and fellow students.  Our master’s programs typically range from 15 to 40 students.  Second, our faculty includes some of the world's leading scholars in education, and all of them teach at both the masters and doctoral levels. In fact, most of our classes include students from both levels of graduate study, and the extraordinary quality of our students means that they may often learn as much form each other as from their teachers. The close integration of educational theory and practice the hallmark of the Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP), but it is also central to all our master’s programs

Thank you again for your interest in our School. I hope that visiting this page will be the first step on the path to joining a vibrant intellectual community dedicated to improving education both nationally and internationally.

Sincerely,

Deborah J. Stipek, Dean

Master's Programs at the Stanford University School of Education

The Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP) offers both an elementary and secondary route. Both programs lead to teacher certification in the state of California, and both require intensive, supervised practice at school sites, as well as academic course work that focuses on cutting-edge, school-based research.

International Comparative Education (ICE) addresses educational practice in a rapidly changing global context and in both less developed and industrialized countries, including the United States. Students examine such problems as the political economy of underdevelopment and educational planning in comparative perspective. The major research project requirement provides students the opportunity to develop excellent research skills.

International Education Administration And Policy Analysis combines study in International and Comparative Education (ICE) with academic work in educational administration and policy analysis in international and comparative contexts. A major research project on a topic of their choosing is required of all students.

Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies (POLS) focuses on the skills and knowledge necessary for effective leadership in a variety of educational environments. Students specialize in Pre-K-12 education, Higher Education, or the Education of Linguistic Minorities.

Curriculum and Teacher Education (CTE) is an individualized, research-intensive program intended for students with prior professional experience and education. A very small number of students are accepted to this program every year.

Learning, Design, and Technology (LDT) integrates powerful contemporary ideas about learning with emergent technologies, to design and evaluate learning environments, products, and programs. LDT graduates bring their skills to bear in a variety of settings, including schools, museums, research institutions, and educational technology companies.

Joint MA/JD in Law and Education combines study for the JD degree in law with an individualized program in education.

Joint MA in Education/MBA enables students to apply their general management skills to the field of education. Students simultaneously complete both degrees in two years, concentrating their MA on PreK-12 Education or Higher Education.

The Individually designed MA in Education is designed for Stanford doctoral students enrolled outside of the School of Education. Individuals who are not enrolled at the doctoral level at Stanford cannot be considered for this program.