Graduate Education

The Vice Provost for Graduate Education (VPGE) works collaboratively to ensure that every graduate student has the best possible education. VPGE’s initiatives and resources enrich students' academic experiences at Stanford, advancing diversity, preparing leaders, and positioning Stanford at the forefront of innovation in graduate education. VPGE serves Stanford's doctoral, master’s, and professional degree students from all seven Stanford schools. VPGE plays a leadership role in initiating and managing policies and programs that enhance and complement the offerings of the departments and programs that have primary responsibility for organizing and delivering graduate education.

In addition to providing University-wide graduate policy direction, the VPGE office has five primary areas of program activity: administering University-wide graduate fellowship programs; advancing graduate student diversity; providing professional development programs and events; promoting interdisciplinary and cross-school learning; and encouraging innovation in graduate programs. The Vice Provost for Graduate Education reports to the Provost.

Graduate Policy

The Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (C-GS) formulates policy concerning the substance and process of graduate education as well as the evaluation and recording of graduate achievement, and reviews the implementation of such policy. The committee also monitors the academic quality and effectiveness of the University's graduate interdisciplinary and joint degree granting programs. Committee members include the Vice Provost for Graduate Education or her delegated staff (ex officio) and representatives from the faculty at large, administration such as the Office of the University Registrar, and students. The Graduate Student Council and the Nominations Committee of the Associated Students of Stanford University (ASSU) choose student members.

VPGE recommends, promulgates, and interprets University policies related to graduate education. VPGE oversees administrative and financial systems related to graduate student support, including policies related to requirements for research and teaching assistantships, and minimum compensation levels for those positions. For other policies related to graduate admissions and degree requirements, see relevant sections of this bulletin.

Honor Code and Fundamental Standard

The Honor Code and Fundamental Standard establish the conditions for academic work at Stanford and represent an agreement between students and faculty about their responsibilities for learning and teaching. The Interpretations and applications of the Honor Code, the Student Judicial Charter of 1997, the Student Conduct Penalty Code, statistics, and other documents are available at the Office of Community Standards web site.

Research Policies for Graduate Students

Graduate education and research are interrelated enterprises. Many Stanford graduate students conduct research under the guidance and sponsorship of Stanford faculty members. The Dean of Research has primary responsibility for oversight of the research enterprise. Several policies in that arena are particularly relevant to graduate students. These include:

Academic Authorship

Guidelines related to academic authorship, such as the allocation of responsibility and credit for scholarly publications. For complete text of the guidelines, see Research Policy Handbook memo 1.5, On Academic Authorship.

Intellectual Property

Policies on copyrights and patents resulting from University work. Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, as well as all faculty, staff, and visitors engaged in research, must sign the Stanford University Patent and Copyright Agreement (SU-18). For complete text of the currently applicable versions of these policies, see Research Policy Handbook chapter 9, Intellectual Property.

Openness in Research

Policy on openness in research, such as the principle of freedom of access by all interested persons to the underlying data, processes, and final results of research. Stanford University does not accept funding for research projects that require secrecy. For complete text of the currently applicable version of this policy, see Research Policy Handbook memo 1.4, Openness in Research.

Relationships between Students and Outside Organizations

Summary of policies on the establishment of relationships between students and outside entities, such as private companies or nonprofit organizations, as part of or outside the student's academic program at Stanford. This covers open versus proprietary nature of the work, ownership of intellectual property, and possible conflicts of commitment and interest. For complete text of the currently applicable versions of these policies, see Research Policy Handbook memo 10.6, Relationships Between Students (Including Postdoctoral Scholars) and Outside Entities.

Research Compliance

Several administrative panels review and approve research projects to safeguard the rights and welfare of all human research subjects, ensure the humane care and use of laboratory animals, and protect the safety of personnel and the general public in the areas of biosafety and radiological safety. For more information, contact the Research Compliance Office.

Research Misconduct

Policy on allegations, investigations, and reporting of research misconduct. Each member of the University community has a responsibility to foster an environment which promotes intellectual honesty and integrity, and which does not tolerate misconduct in any aspect of research or scholarly endeavor. For complete text of the currently applicable version of this policy, see Research Policy Handbook memo 1.7, Research Misconduct: Policy on Allegations, Investigations and Reporting.

Graduate Fellowship Programs

Several University-wide graduate fellowship programs are administered by the VPGE, including the Stanford Graduate Fellowships Program in Science and Engineering (SGF) and the Stanford Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowship (SIGF) program. VPGE also administers several smaller University-wide fellowships programs to new and continuing doctoral students that require nomination by faculty or deans.

Stanford Graduate Fellowships Program in Science and Engineering (SGF)

Web site: http://sgf.stanford.edu

SGF competitively awards approximately 100 two- and three-year fellowships providing tuition support and stipend to outstanding students pursuing a doctoral degree in the sciences and engineering. SGF fellows can explore labs in a variety of fields. Nominations for SGF fellowships are submitted by science and engineering departments and programs.

Stanford Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowships (SIGF)

Web Site: http://sigf.stanford.edu

The SIGF program awards fellowships on a competitive basis to doctoral students engaged in interdisciplinary research. The fellowships enable Stanford doctoral students to pursue questions that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries. Students in the first three years of their doctoral program are eligible to apply.

Graduate Student Diversity

VPGE works to diversify the graduate student population by supporting recruitment and retention programs in collaboration with faculty and staff in each of the schools. VPGE funds recruitment activities to expand the pool of qualified applicants, such as visits to campus and travel grants. VPGE offers resources to groups within and across schools for activities that enhance the quality of students' educational experiences and improve retention. VPGE also works collaboratively to develop programs that cultivate interest in academic careers and diversify the pipeline for future faculty. The DARE Doctoral Fellowship Program, administered by VPGE, awards two-year fellowships on a competitive basis to Stanford doctoral students in their final two years who want to investigate and prepare for academic careers and whose presence will help to diversify the professoriate.

Professional Development

Leadership, pedagogy, communication, working in teams, career development and entrepreneurship are topics of interest to graduate students across the University. VPGE collaborates with other departments, such as the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Graduate Life Office, and the Hume Writing Center to raise the visibility and expand the breadth of offerings to help graduate students' professional development.

Interdisciplinary and Cross-School Learning Opportunities

VPGE provides seed funding to initiatives that foster interdisciplinary and cross-school interactions for graduate students. The Stanford Graduate Summer Institute (SGSI) offers noncredit interdisciplinary short courses exclusively for Stanford graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. VPGE also seeks to facilitate enrollment in courses outside of students' home departments and schools.

Leadership, pedagogy, communication, working in teams, career development and entrepreneurship are topics of interest to graduate students across the University. VPGE collaborates with other departments, such as the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Graduate Life Office, and the Hume Writing Center to raise the visibility and expand the breadth of offerings to help graduate students' professional development.

Stanford Graduate Summer Institute (SGSI)

Web site: http://sgsi.stanford.edu

SGSI courses introduce graduate students to multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary thinking. Students from across the University have the opportunity to meet others outside their fields, create networks, and foster cross-disciplinary collaborations. Most SGSI courses are small and taught in an intensive workshop format at the end of Summer Quarter. Courses are non-credit bearing and free of tuition or fees.

Innovation in Graduate Programs

Academic departments and programs are the foundation of graduate education, so VPGE supports innovation in degree-granting programs. VPGE awards funds to faculty members for program innovation with SCORE Innovation funds; these help faculty and graduate students to scrutinize long-existing practices and test new approaches for graduate education. Student Projects for Intellectual Community Enhancement (SPICE) funds support graduate students (master’s, doctoral, or professional) to develop activities to expand the intellectual community and enhance the academic life of their department or program.

Vice Provost for Graduate Education: Patricia J. Gumport

Associate Vice Provosts for Graduate Education: John Boothroyd, Chris M. Golde, Sheri D. Sheppard

Director of Fellowships and Programs: Pat Cook

Directors of Educational Programs: Helen Doyle, Anika Green

Associate Director, Programs and Administration: Rebecca Jantzen