Application Requirements for Joint MA programs

The Joint MA in Education/Master of Public Policy program is a two year (six quarter) program that allows students to simultaneously pursue an MA in Education at the Graduate School of Education and an MPP degree from the Public Policy Program under Stanford's School of Humanities and Sciences.

Students in this joint degree program will spend their first year taking both Education and Public Policy core courses and completing a POLS Project. The second year is typically devoted to the MPP practicum and remaining Education and Public Policy requirements.

Application Requirements

The Joint MA/MPP program application originates at the GSE through our Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies (POLS) program application. To apply for this joint degree program:

  • Start an application to the MA in POLS program, making sure you have first reviewed the POLS application requirements.
  • Indicate interest in the joint degree program by checking “Yes” to MA/MPP program consideration.
  • Complete the MA/MPP joint degree prompt in which you will be asked to address your interest and qualifications for pursuing the joint degree in 2500 characters (about 350-400 words).
  • Submit the application.
  • NOTE: In order to be eligible for the MA/MPP program, applicants must have completed Principles of Economics (Stanford equivalent: Econ 1) and Calculus (Stanford equivalent: Math 20) While the prerequisites are not required to be completed at the time of application, they must be completed prior to matriculation. Students should have at least some background in economics and calculus. You may view the Stanford equivalents of these courses at the Explore Courses website.

Application Process

  • If you are admitted into the POLS Program, we will forward your application to the Public Policy Program for consideration.
  • We make every effort to provide you with a decision to both POLS and MPP at the same time, but due to the timing of our applications cycles we cannot guarantee this. All decisions will be finalized prior to the April 15 decision deadline.
  • If you are not admitted to the POLS Program, it is not possible to enroll solely in the MPP program. However, you may be admitted to the POLS program and not the MPP program.

The School of Law and the Graduate School of Education conduct a joint program leading to a J.D. degree from the Law School combined with an M.A. degree from the Graduate School of Education. Law students interested in pursuing MA program must (i) apply to the Law School and indicate their interest in the joint JD/MA in Education program in their law school application; or (ii)* after being admitted to the Law School, current students may apply to the joint program no later than the earlier of: (a) the end of the second year of law school; or (b) the School's admission deadline for the MA program starting the year following that second year of law school. Students must secure permission from both academic units to pursue degrees in those units as part of a joint degree program.

*Current JD students seeking admission to the MA/JD program can download and submit the following application directly.

JD/MA students begin their course of study in the School of Law. Faculty advisors from each academic unit will participate in the planning and supervising of the student's joint program. A number of courses taken in either the Law School or the School of Education may count towards the JD and the MA. For additional information please contact the JD/MA Program Advisor, Professor William Koski, at bkoski@stanford.edu.

The joint MA Education/MBA program allows students to simultaneously pursue a MA at the Graduate School of Education (GSE) and a MBA at the Graduate School of Business (GSB). The program is a rigorous, two-year full-time program that integrates a comprehensive set of MBA classes with Education coursework, resulting in a personalized, world-class educational management curriculum.

Application Requirements

The application to the Joint MA/MBA program originates at the GSB MBA Admissions Office*. When applying to the MBA program, check off that you are interested in the Joint MA in Education/MBA program, and you will be prompted to complete an additional essay. For more information on the application process, including application deadlines please visit the MBA admissions office.

*Alternatively, current MBA1 students seeking admission to the MA/MBA program during their first quarter can use the following application directly and attach a statement of purpose - see application for more instructions. The application deadline is also included in the form. Late applications will not be accepted.

Our leadership degree programs—the joint MA/MBA program and POLS—will prepare you to be effective participants, leaders, and agents of change. Both programs will equip you with the tools you need to become an effective leader in education, but the programs do have some significant differences. Learn more about the programs and compare them to see which one best meets your needs.

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