The Stanford Graduate School of Education is renowned for its high academic standards and rigorous programs. As one of the top-ranked graduate schools in the country, gaining acceptance into Stanford for graduate education can be a challenging and competitive process. With an acceptance rate of about 5.2%, applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic achievements and qualifications to secure a spot at this prestigious institution.

To be considered for admission to the Stanford Graduate School of Education, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in courses relevant to their degree program. Additionally, applicants must submit official transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and standardized test scores such as the GRE or GMAT. Some programs may also require a resume, writing samples, or additional application materials to be considered for admission.

The admission process at Stanford for graduate education is highly competitive and thorough. Applications are reviewed by a committee of faculty members who assess each candidate’s academic achievements, professional experience, letters of recommendation, and personal statement. Successful applicants will demonstrate a strong commitment to their field of study, a clear research focus, and the potential to thrive in a rigorous academic environment. Meeting the basic admission requirements is just the first step in the journey towards earning a graduate degree from Stanford’s prestigious Graduate School of Education.

 

Topic	Acceptance Rate	GPA Requirement
Stanford Graduate School of Education	5.2%	3.0 (B) GPA

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The Stanford Graduate School of Education (also known as Stanford GSE, or GSE) is one of the seven schools of Stanford University, and is one of the top education schools in the United States. It was founded in 1891 and offers master’s and doctoral programs in more than 25 areas of specialization, along with joint degrees with other programs at Stanford University including business, law, and public policy.

The Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP) of the Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) aims to cultivate teacher leaders who share a set of core values that includes a commitment to social justice, an understanding of the strengths and needs of a diverse student population, and a dedication to equity and excellence for all students. The program takes an approach to teaching and learning that is sensitive to the family, community, and political contexts of education, focused on the needs and development of learners, and grounded in the study of subject matter that enables inquiry, critical thinking, and problem solving.

Stanford Graduate School Of Education History

The Graduate School of Education was founded in 1891 as the Department of the History and Art of Education, one of the original twenty-one departments at Stanford University. It awarded its first Ph.D. in 1916, and in 1917 was renamed the Stanford University School of Education (SUSE). The Graduate School of Education building and Cubberley Library were built in 1938, and the Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP) was established in 1959.

The current facility was built in 1941 with funds donated by Jane Lathrop Stanford, widow of Leland Stanford Jr., founder of Stanford University. It was designed by architect Fred A. Holabird in a Mediterranean style with a Spanish tile roof and stuccoed walls. The five-story structure is comprised of two wings: an east wing with classrooms and offices for faculty members, and a west wing that houses administrative offices for students, staff members and alumni relations; classrooms; laboratories; workshops; lecture halls; media center; bookstore; cafeteria; student lounge areas; outdoor spaces such as terraces; parking garage and landscaped gardens.

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The Stanford Graduate School of Education is the most highly-regarded school of education in the world.

The GSE was established in 1949 as the Educational Studies Section within the School of Humanities and Sciences. In 2001, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donated $5 million to establish the School Redesign Network. The GSE established a public charter school, the East Palo Alto Academy, which has been managed by its New Schools initiative since then. In 2008, the faculty decided unanimously to make scholarly articles available as open educational resources, the first such move by a school of education. In 2009, The GSE established an education minor program for Stanford undergraduates. The program prepares students for careers in teaching, crafting educational policy, and managing schools. In 2013, the school name was changed to the Stanford Graduate School of Education to better reflect its advanced research and its graduate-level preparation of educators, scholars, policy makers and entrepreneurs.

At a Glance

Stanford Graduate School of Education enrolled close to 400 graduate students for the 2015-16 school year. About 44 percent are doctoral students; 26 percent are pursuing Master’s degrees in the Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP); and 30 percent are in the school’s other Master’s programs. The incoming cohort includes students from 25 states and Washington, D.C., as well as 16 countries. What follows is a demographic profile of the new students in the doctoral programs, the Master’s program, and STEP.

Stanford Graduate School Of Education Rankings

Since U.S. News & World Report began ranking schools of education, Stanford has ranked among the top five overall in the United States and has received the top peer assessment score of any school each year

Gender

 Female Male

Average Students Age

PhD29MA (non STEP)28MA (STEP)25

Ethnicity

 White Students of Color International Unknown

Stanford Graduate School Of Education Academics

The Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) offers ten M.A. programs and four Ph.D. programs. The school’s degree programs are academic rather than professional and grant M.A. and Ph.D. degrees, so you’ll get the same level of training as you would at a traditional university like Harvard or Yale.

It also has undergraduate honors and minors programs for students interested in getting their feet wet with education-related topics before deciding whether or not to pursue further study in the field.

As a graduate school of education, the undergraduate programs are not degree programs but instead offer education-related training for students majoring in other areas as well as co-terminal master’s degrees that allow them to complete their bachelor’s degree while simultaneously earning a master’s degree at Stanford GSE. The largest program is the Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP), which is the only program at the university which offers a teaching credential for K-12 teachers..

The school also offers numerous professional development programs and resources for practicing elementary and secondary school teachers. These include the Center for the Support of Excellence in Teaching, the National Board Resource Center, the Problem-Solving Cycle, and Stanford English Learner Education Services.

Stanford Graduate School Of Education Academics GPA

No minimum GPA requirement is set for Stanford Graduate School. However, Stanford is a highly competitive educational institution and having a high GPA will help strengthen your application. For instance, TopLawSchools.com lists the median grade point average for a Stanford Law School graduate student as 3.76 to 3.96.

Stanford Graduate School Of Education Admission

One of the country’s top education schools, the Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) is a world leader in ground-breaking, cross-disciplinary research and analysis that shape educational practice and policy. 

COVID-19 Admissions Updates: 

• Stanford GSE is no longer considering applications for fall 2020 entry.
• Stanford GSE will accept applications for fall 2021 entry; please see the admission timeline here.
• Due to conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the GSE will not require the GRE for admission for the 2021-2022 academic year. However, some (please see list below) GSE programs will provide the opportunity to submit GRE scores if you have taken the test and feel that your scores would enhance your application. Not submitting your GRE scores when your program of interest offers you the option to submit them does not affect your application negatively in any way. If your program indicates the GRE as optional and you wish to send scores, please follow the guidelines below.
  • For applicants submitting optional GRE scores: We accept all scores that are still valid/reportable by ETS standards. If your scores are reportable you may send them electronically to Stanford University institution code 4704 (department code does not matter). Once you submit your application, your scores will be matched with your application. We cannot guarantee that official scores received after your program’s application deadline will be included in your application.
  • PhD programs providing optional submission of GRE scores: Developmental and Psychological Sciences (DAPS); Economics of Education (SHIPS); Education Data Science (SHIPS); Educational Policy (SHIPS); Higher Education (SHIPS); International Comparative Education (SHIPS); Organizational Studies (SHIPS).
  • Master’s programs providing optional submission of GRE scores: Education Data Science (EDS); International Comparative Education/International Education Policy Analysis (ICE/IEPA), Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies (POLS); Joint MA (POLS)/MPP.
  • All other programs: GRE scores not required and will not be accepted.

The Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP) is a nationally renowned 12-month full time program preparing future teacher leaders at the elementary and secondary levels. STEP integrates a high quality academic program with a well-supported, yearlong classroom placement.

Candidates can apply to one of the following areas:

• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education
  • Teaching of English
  • Teaching of History/Social Science
  • Teaching of Math
  • Teaching of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science or Physics)
  • Teaching of World Languages (Spanish, Mandarin, and French)

Recruitment Events

SEP14What’s A Good Statement of Purpose? (PhD) – Admission WebinarZoom
9:00 am – 10:00 amSEP17Joint Knight-Hennessy Scholars & GSE – Admission WebinarOnline
3:00 pm – 4:00 pmSEP18Virtual Admissions Office HoursZoom
6:00 pm – 7:00 pmMore recruitment events

Resources

Career Development:

The Stanford EdCareers Office, the Graduate School of Education’s career resources office, focuses on professional education sector career opportunities.  You will find employer profiles, jobs, internships and career search tools at their website.

BEAM: Bridging Education, Ambition & Meaningful Work, is a resource for all Stanford undergraduate and graduate students and offers support with defining career direction, resume writing, enhancing interviewing skills and further job listing searches.  

Computing

Computing @ Stanford University School of Education

Credentialing

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC)
Online credential tracker

Government Organizations

CA Department of Education
US Department of Education
Dataquest CA Dept of Ed statistics
Ed-Data CA education statistics
Teaching careers @ Teach California

Professional Organizations

CA Teachers Association
National Education Association

harvard graduate school of education acceptance rate

Harvard Graduate School Acceptance Rate

The Havard Divinity School has an acceptance rate as high as 50% and the Havard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) has an acceptance rate of 2.7%.