Master of Arts in Communication

The department offers a coterminal M.A. degree program 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. 

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.

Coterminal Master of Arts in Communication – Media Studies Subplan

The coterminal M.A. Degree Program in Communication - Media Studies subplan 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 to the Coterminal Master's Program in Communication — Media Studies Subplan

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 pm 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

The department awards both a terminal and a coterminal M.A. degree in Communication with a subplan in Journalism. 

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 Subplan

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.

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 Subplan

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.

All coursework towards an MA degree must be completed at Stanford (GAP 3.2.1; GAP 4.5.1)

Only coursework you took during and after the coterm quarters back term may be requested for course transfer. You can identify what your coterm quarter's back rule is by running a transcript report. Any courses taken after the program effective date (see screenshots below) are eligible for coterm course transfer. (For more information on Coterm Course Transfer, please refer to: Coterm Course Transfer | Student Services (stanford.edu))

The M.A. degree in Communication (Journalism) requires a minimum of 45 units. Coterminal Journalism students may count coursework taken after summer of freshman year towards the 45 units of unduplicated work with approval by the Director of the Graduate Program in Journalism. 

The Department of Communication is committed to providing academic advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development. When most effective, this advising relationship entails collaborative and sustained engagement by both the advisor and the advisee. As a best practice, advising expectations should be periodically discussed and reviewed to ensure mutual understanding. Both the advisor and the advisee are expected to maintain professionalism and integrity.

Faculty advisors guide students in key areas such as selecting courses, designing and conducting research, developing of teaching pedagogy, navigating policies and degree requirements, and exploring academic opportunities and professional pathways.

Graduate students are active contributors to the advising relationship, proactively seeking academic and professional guidance and taking responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program.

For a statement of University policy on graduate advising, see the "Graduate Advising" section of this bulletin.

Media Studies Subplan Advising

To be accepted to the coterminal master's program in Communication, Media Studies subplan, students must find a professor in the Department of Communication to serve as coterminal advisor.

The coterminal advisor provides extensive guidance on a research project proposed in the student's statement of purpose, helping students go through the process of conceptualization, study planning, data collection, analysis, and writing. The coterminal advisor also assists the student with course selection and course planning and serves as the first resource for consultation and advice about a student's academic program.

In addition, the Director of the Graduate Program in Coterminal Media Studies is always available for consultation.

Journalism Subplan Advising

Before the start of graduate study, normally during summer quarter, each student is assigned an academic advisor: a member of our journalism faculty who provides guidance in course selection, course planning, and exploring short- and long-term career opportunities and professional pathways. The advisor serves as the first resource for consultation and advice about a student's academic program.

The Director of the Graduate Program in Journalism initially serves as the advisor for all coterminal journalism master's students until a final academic advisor is assigned.

In addition, the Director of the Graduate Program in Journalism is always available to journalism master's students for consultation.

The purpose of the master's program is to further develop knowledge and skills in communication and to prepare students for professional careers or doctoral studies. This is achieved through completion of courses in the primary field, as well as related areas, and experience with independent work and specialization.