The Earth Systems Program offers current Stanford University undergraduates the opportunity to apply for a one-year coterminal Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Earth Systems, Environmental Communication. The Master of Arts degree in Earth Systems provides an overview of the theory, techniques, and challenges of communicating environmental concepts to non-specialist audiences and includes hands-on experience with different modalities of communication, principally writing, multimedia production, and education. The degree program is built on a three-quarter progression of required core courses, including a required practicum experience, along with focus courses. Students will complete 22 units of required core courses along with another 23 units of focus courses, to be selected in close consultation with Tom Hayden and a faculty co-adviser.

For the Master of Arts degree in Earth Systems, prerequisites may vary based on the interests and academic background of each student, to be determined in consultation with Tom Hayden, primary adviser; and the Director of Earth Systems. At a minimum, entering students will have completed EARTHSYS 10 (may be audited), EARTHSYS 111, and EARTHSYS 112. These courses do not have to be completed before applying to the coterm program. Additional coursework in the sciences, mathematics, or other fields may also be required on a case-by-case basis: such required foundational coursework may not count toward the 45 units of master’s-level requirement.

Core Courses

Fall Quarter

• EarthSys 191/291: Introduction to Environmental Communication. Kevin Arrigo and Thomas Hayden. 3 units.
• EarthSys 292: Multimedia Environmental Communication. Thomas Hayden. 3 units.
• EarthSys 290: Earth System’s Master’s Seminar. Katie Phillips. 2 units.

Winter Quarter

• EarthSys/Comm 177C/277C: Science and Environmental Journalism. Steve Hawk. 4 units
• EarthSys 293: Environmental Communication Practicum. Thomas Hayden. 5 units.

Spring Quarter

• EarthSys 294: Environmental Communication Capstone. Thomas Hayden. 5 units.

Focus courses

Focus courses may be selected with an emphasis on writing, multimedia, or teaching, or to provide a broad survey across modalities. Potential focus courses may be included from the journalism and creative writing programs, the Graduate School of Education, and other programs. Possible courses within Earth Systems include EARTHSYS 200, 235, 295, and the Jasper Ridge docent training courses, EARTHSYS 105A and 105B, as well as EARTH 218 and 219.

For further information, please contact the coordinating Adviser, Tom Hayden, thayden@stanford.edu.  

Admission

The application process is the same for both the Master of Arts and the Master of Science in Earth Systems. Applications for 2015-16 are due: Autumn Quarter: November 3, 2015; Winter Quarter: February 16, 2016; and Spring Quarter: May 10, 2016. A $125 application fee will be assessed by the Registrar’s office for those accepted and matriculated into the program. To apply, complete and return the following to the Earth Systems office (Y2E2, 131, Attn: Kristin Tewksbury):

• The Stanford coterminal application
• A statement of purpose
• A resume
• A current Stanford unofficial transcript
• Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from the master's adviser (Tom Hayden is adviser for all MA students, as well as a co-adviser who must be an Academic Council member.  Kevin Arrigo will serve as co-adviser if a co-adviser has not been selected.)
• A list of courses that fulfill degree requirements signed by the master's adviser and the Director of Earth Systems
   
• Applications must be submitted no later than the quarter prior to the expected completion of the B.S. degree (check with program office for specific application deadline). An application fee is assessed by the Registrar's Office for coterminal applications, once students are matriculated into the program.
• Students applying to the coterminal master's program must have completed a minimum of 120 units toward graduation with a minimum overall Stanford GPA of 3.4.
• All applicants must devise a program of study that shows a level of specialization appropriate to the master's level, as determined in consultation with the master's adviser and the Director of Earth Systems.
• Students applying from an undergraduate major other than Earth Systems should review their undergraduate course list with Tom Hayden (for the M.A. only).  
• The student has the option of receiving the B.S. degree after completing that degree's requirements or receiving the B.S. and M.A./M.S. degrees concurrently at the completion of the master's program.
• Students must submit a new application to change from the M.S. to the M.A. in Earth Systems, or from the M.A. to the M.S. in Earth Systems. If accepted, the student must submit a Graduate Authorization Petition through Axess; a $125 fee applies to a successful Graduate Authorization Petition

University Coterminal Requirements

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

Degree Requirements

These degree requirements are the same for both the Master of Arts degree and the Master of Science degree in Earth Systems, and must be fulfilled to receive an M.A. degree or M.S. degree in Earth Systems:

• A minimum of 45 units of course work and/or research credit (upon approval).
• At least 34 units of the student's course work for the M.A./M.S. must be at the 200-level or above.
• All remaining course work must be at the 100-level or above.
• All courses for the M.A. and M.S. degrees must be taken for a letter grade; courses not taken for a letter grade must be approved by the master's adviser and Director of Earth Systems.
• A minimum overall GPA of 3.4 must be maintained.
• All coterminal master's students are required to take the capstone course, EARTHSYS 290 Master's Seminar.