Stanford University

Overview

The Individually Designed Master of Arts (M.A.) in Education at Stanford University offers a unique and flexible pathway for doctoral students wishing to complement their PhD with a focused education qualification. This program allows you to craft a personalized curriculum that aligns with your research interests and professional aspirations in the field of education.

• Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.) in Education — Individually Designed
• Who it’s for: Stanford PhD students seeking an additional master’s qualification
• Duration: Typically completed alongside the PhD timeline, with variations based on the approved plan
• Credits/units: Program structured around an approved set of units, often described as a 45-unit proposal
• Delivery: On-campus study within Stanford’s Graduate School of Education
• Academic advising: Assigned advisor assists in developing and approving the final curriculum proposal
• Language of instruction: English
• Application: Submit the Individually Designed M.A. application form and required supporting materials

What you'll study

Your curriculum for the Individually Designed M.A. will be developed in collaboration with your academic advisor, ensuring that your coursework is tailored to your specific educational and research interests. The program emphasizes a connection between your educational studies and your doctoral research.

How the curriculum is organized

• Approved coursework proposal: You will begin by submitting a preliminary proposal outlining the coursework you plan to undertake for the M.A.
• Advisor consultation: Your assigned advisor will work with you to refine the final proposal, which must receive approval from the appropriate academic authority at Stanford.
• Unit-based plan: The curriculum typically revolves around a 45-unit proposal, with final unit distribution determined by your approved plan.

Example course themes (may vary by approved plan)

• Education and learning in diverse contexts
• Psychological and educational resilience among children and youth
• Research methods and evidence-based inquiry in education
• Curriculum and teacher education
• Instructional design and learning environments
• Evaluation and assessment in education
• Higher education and society
• Education and technology/digital futures
• Special education and support for students with special needs
• Applied quantitative or quasi-experimental approaches (where appropriate)

Capstone/thesis

Your completion requirements will be outlined in your approved curriculum proposal, which may include research-focused coursework and a culminating academic requirement as specified by the program and your advisor.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for the Individually Designed M.A. in Education, applicants must be enrolled in a PhD program at Stanford University. In addition to submitting the application form, candidates are required to provide supporting materials that demonstrate their academic background and alignment with the program's focus.

Career prospects