专业详情

Master of Arts in Communication

University requirements for the master’s degree are described in the “Graduate Degrees” section of this bulletin. Work to fulfill graduate degree requirements must be in courses numbered 100 or above.

The department offers a coterminal M.A. degree in Communication with a subplan in Media Studies. The department also awards both a terminal and a coterminal M.A. degree in Communication with a subplan in Journalism. The subplan prints on the transcript, but not on the diploma. 

University Coterminal Requirements

Coterminal master’s degree candidates are expected to complete all master’s degree requirements as described in this bulletin. University requirements for the coterminal master’s degree are described in the “Coterminal Master’s Program” section below. University requirements for the master’s degree are described in the “Graduate Degrees” section of this bulletin.

After accepting admission to this coterminal master’s degree program, students may request transfer of courses from the undergraduate to the graduate career to satisfy requirements for the master’s degree. Transfer of courses to the graduate career requires review and approval of both the undergraduate and graduate programs on a case-by-case basis.

In this master’s program, courses taken during or after the first quarter of the sophomore year are eligible for consideration for transfer to the graduate career; the timing of the first graduate quarter is not a factor. No courses taken prior to the first quarter of the sophomore year may be used to meet master’s degree requirements.

Course transfers are not possible after the bachelor’s degree has been conferred.

The University requires that the graduate advisor be assigned in the student’s first graduate quarter even though the undergraduate career may still be open. The University also requires that the Master’s Degree Program Proposal be completed by the student and approved by the department by the end of the student’s first graduate quarter.

Master of Arts in Communication – Media Studies

The coterminal M.A. Degree Program in Communication (Media Studies) is a small program that permits current Stanford undergraduates to study for a bachelor’s and a master’s degree simultaneously. The program provides a broad introduction to the field of digital communication and media/multimedia through study of communication processes, their origins, their psychological, political and cultural effects. Areas of coursework include research about media psychology, on human- computer interactions, regulation of digital technologies,  development of digital communication and multimedia, and emerging trends in digital communication technologies and markets. With early and careful planning, students may be able to complete the coterminal master’s degree in Communication by the end of their senior year or within one to two additional quarters. See the Registrar’s Office information about coterminal degree programs and contact the Student Services Manager to discuss your options.

The following majors are some of those that best provide a grounding in a theoretical tradition relevant to the study of communication: communication, computer science, economics, English, history, linguistics, philosophy, political science, psychology, public policy, STS, sociology, and symbolic systems.

Admission

Coterminal Master’s Program in Communication — Media Studies

See the Coterminal M.A. in Communication – Media Studies Track website for additional information on application requirements.

Applicants must submit their application and, if admitted, respond to the offer of admission no later than the quarter prior to the expected completion of their undergraduate degree. Applicants must have declared an undergraduate major and earned a minimum of 120 units toward graduation (UTG) as shown on the undergraduate unofficial transcript (including allowable advanced placement (AP) and transfer credit) and completed at least six academic quarters.

A $125 application fee is assessed for each coterminal application. This fee will be added to the student’s university bill once the applicant has been admitted and accepted the offer of admission.

Application Deadline: February 1, 2023 at 3:00 p.m to start the program in Spring Quarter 2022-23. Recommenders have until February 5, 2023 to submit their online recommendation letters.

Requirements include:

·       Application for Admission to Coterminal Master’s Program

·       Preliminary program proposal

·       Statement of purpose

·       Master’s project advising confirmation form

·       Letters of recommendation from two Stanford professors other than the coterminal advisor

·       A current unofficial Stanford transcript

GRE scores are not required.

Master of Arts in Communication  — Journalism Subplan

University requirements for the master’s degree are described in the “Graduate Degrees” section of this bulletin. Work to fulfill graduate degree requirements must be in courses numbered 100 or above.

The department awards both a terminal and a coterminal M.A. degree in Communication with a subplan in Journalism. The department also offers a coterminal M.A. degree in Communication with a subplan in Media Studies. The subplan prints on the transcript, but not on the diploma. 

Stanford Journalism Program

The master’s program in Journalism focuses on the knowledge and skills required to report, analyze, and write authoritatively about public issues and digital media. The curriculum combines a sequence of specialized digital reporting and writing courses with seminars and courses devoted to deepening the students’ understanding of the roles and responsibilities of American news media in their coverage of public issues. Coursework emphasizes the combination of data journalism and storytelling skills. 

The program’s objective is twofold:

1.     to graduate talented reporters and writers to foster public understanding of the significance and consequences of public issues and the debates they engender; and

2.     to graduate thoughtful journalists to respond openly and eloquently when called upon to explain and defend the methods and quality of their reporting and writing.

See the program’s Mission Statement.

Admission to the Terminal Master’s Program in Communication – Journalism

Detailed information on application requirements is available on the Graduate Program in Journalism website. GRE scores are not required. 

Prospective applicants to the terminal master’s program in Communication with a subplan in Journalism must submit the following:

1.     Application: see Graduate Admissions.

2.     Statement of purpose.

3.     Three journalistic samples

4.     Transcripts

5.     Resume

6.     Three letters of recommendation

7.     TOEFL test scores for non-native speakers of English. Exemptions are granted to applicants who have earned (or will earn, before enrolling at Stanford) a U.S. bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association in the United States, or the international equivalent degree from a university of recognized standing in a country in which all instruction is provided in English.

Admission to the Coterminal Master’s Program in Communication – Journalism

Detailed information on application requirements is available on the Coterminal M.A. in Communication – Journalism Track website. See the Registrar’s Office information about coterminal degree programs and contact the Student Services Manager to discuss your options.

Applicants must submit their application and, if admitted, respond to the offer of admission no later than the quarter prior to the expected completion of their undergraduate degree. Applicants must have declared an undergraduate major and earned a minimum of 120 units toward graduation (UTG) as shown on the undergraduate unofficial transcript (including allowable advanced placement (AP) and transfer credit) and completed at least six academic quarters.

Online applications must be submitted no later than February 1, 2023 to start the program in Spring Quarter 2022-23. 

Applicants submit the following:

·       Application for Admission to Coterminal Master’s Program

·       Preliminary program proposal

·       Statement of purpose

·       Three letters of recommendation and recommendation forms from Stanford professors

·       Three samples of journalistic work

·       A current unofficial Stanford transcript

GRE scores are not required.