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Coterminal MS Program

The coterminal Master's program provides an exceptional opportunity for students to pursue a graduate research experience and earn an MS degree concurrently with or subsequent to their BS studies. The Master's degree is viewed as an entrance professional degree in numerous subdisciplines within the earth sciences. Alternatively, graduate course work and the Master's research experience can provide an intermediate step prior to pursuit of the PhD. Regardless of their professional goals, coterminal BS/MS students are treated as members of the Geophysics graduate community and are expected to meet all of the standards set for regular MS students.

Who is eligible?

Students may apply to the co-term program after earning at least 120 units toward graduation, including allowable Advanced Placement (AP) and transfer credit, as shown on their undergraduate unofficial transcript. For more detailed information, please read the Procedures for Coterminal Students. The coterm program is only open to current Stanford students.

How to apply

Students who wish to apply to the coterm program must submit an application directly to the Geophysics department.
The application includes:

  • The co-terminal application form
  • A statement of purpose
  • A copy of a current Stanford transcript
  • Letters of recommendation from two Stanford faculty
  • The Preliminary Program Proposal (found in the co-term application)

For questions on the Geophysics coterminal MS program, please contact Nancy Thurlow