Special Focus Programs

ESF courses are a chance to shape your educational aspirations in dialogue with fellow students and an exciting group of faculty from across a wide range of disciplines—from the humanities and social sciences through the natural sciences and mathematics.

Recognizing that good advice comes from a variety of sources, particularly peers, Expanded Advising Programs (EAP) provides several advising opportunities for first-year students. EAP is designed to smooth the transition to academic and social life at Stanford by providing ongoing introductions to campus academic resources and support networks, and by giving students the tools to make successful academic, social, and cultural connections.

A Helix is a cluster of 3-5 courses integrated through an interdisciplinary topic or theme. Open to all interested students, Helix clusters bring together courses from a wide range of disciplines and satisfy GERs as well as major requirements. While Helix students can take the courses in any sequence, they will be able to meet and work with one another through travel and research opportunities, civic engagement, and other integrative learning experiences built around the Helix theme. Students who complete a Helix cluster will receive notations on their transcripts and add breadth, depth, and coherence to their coursework outside their major.

LifeWorks pioneers a new model of learning that helps students explore life’s core questions and integrate their studies into their lives through a blend of scholarship, embodied practice, and creative expression.