Policies & Planning
You can benefit from understanding the academic policies that apply to your graduate studies, whether you are pursing a master’s, doctoral, or professional degree. VPGE interprets and disseminates university-level policies, which are set by the Committee on Graduate Studies and the Faculty Senate.
Planning Resources
Your Best Resource: Your DegreeProgram
Your degree program's policies and procedures, including current student handbooks, are your primary resource for academic questions about your degree. Your student services staff can explain requirements and procedures and your dean’s office staff can explain school-level academic policies.
Stanford Bulletin: Explore Degrees
Stanford's schools, departments, and interdisciplinary programs list their academic policies and degree requirements in the Bulletin.
Stanford Bulletin: Explore Courses
Stanford's course database can be searched by department, keyword, or quarter, time, or day offered. Take advantage of Stanford’s open course enrollment policies to explore beyond your department or school.
Funding Resources
There are many funding opportunities at Stanford and beyond that can help you finance your graduate education, research projects, internships, travel, and more.
- Check out the Financial Aid Office's Grad Resources
- Browse VPGE Fellowships & Funding Opportunities
- Learn more about Funding Graduate Study
Graduate Policies
Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures Handbook
The GAP describes university-wide academic policies that apply to all graduate students. The GAP can be a handy reference throughout your graduate studies.
Childbirth Accommodation Policy
This policy provides an academic accommodation period for registered and matriculated female graduate students (including students in professional schools) anticipating or experiencing a birth.
Research Policy Handbook
The Research Policy Handbook (RPH) describes policies, guidelines, and resources related to Stanford's research mission. Selected research-related policies directly affect graduate students.
Office of Community Standards
The Office of Community Standards upholds Stanford’s Honor Code, which articulates the university's expectations of students and faculty in establishing and maintaining the highest standards in academic work, and the Fundamental Standard, which sets the standard of conduct for all members of the Stanford community.