Joint MS and Dual Admission FAQs
E-IPER Program and Structure
Why a Joint/Dual MS degree from E-IPER?
The E-IPER Joint/Dual MS degree allows professional degree students to take advantage of environment and resources courses, faculty, and programs on campus, earning an MS while concurrently completing their MBA at the Graduate School of Business, JD at Stanford Law School, MA in the Ford Dorsey Master's in International Policy program, MD at the School of Medicine, and PhD in another Stanford department or school.
What have past E-IPER Joint MS students gone on to do after they graduated?
Our students have gone on to a variety of interesting careers in government, non-profits, venture capital, start-ups, law firms, judicial clerkships and consulting. Upon graduation, our students have taken roles in organizations such as the Earth Justice, Google, Prelude Ventures, Opower, The Nature Conservancy, McKinsey, and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and large array of early stage companies.
What is the difference between a Joint MS and Dual MS?
At Stanford, a Joint MS is a Masters of Science degree that is completed concurrently with another graduate or professional degree, allowing some coursework to count towards both degrees. E-IPER offers a Joint MS for MBA students at Stanford's Graduate School of Business or JD students at the Stanford Law School. A Dual MS is a Masters of Science degree does not allow coursework to count toward both degrees. All requirements for each degree must be met. E-IPER offers a Dual MS for MA students in the Ford Dorsey Master's in International Policy program, MD students at the Stanford's School of Medicine, and PhD students from other Stanford departments and schools. E-IPER does not currently offer Dual MS-MS degrees.
Do I have an advisor while in E-IPER?
E-IPER Joint and Dual MS students are encouraged to seek out a faculty member to serve as an adviser. Students should consider the alignment of their own research and professional interests with the faculty member's work and interests. E-IPER staff and fellow students provide an array of advice and opportunities to connect with E-IPER affiliated faculty. For your Capstone Project, we recommend you engage with a technical advisor with expertise in the area you are working alongside the Capstone instructor.
Can I pursue Independent Study as a part of E-IPER?
Yes, you are eligible to complete up to 5 units of independent study under the guidance of a Stanford faculty member. Additionally, the Capstone Project is structured as a guided Independent Study on a project of your own selection. Students sometimes do pursue an Independent Study prior to their Capstone quarter to explore a particular project over an extended period of time.
Financial Considerations of the Joint MS Program
How long will it take to complete the Joint MS degree?
The E-IPER Joint MS is a flexible program, and the time required to complete it depends on your professional school and your course planning. Generally, the Joint MS-MBA can be completed in 1-3 additional quarters beyond the 2-year MBA program. The Joint MS-JD can be completed within the 3 year JD program. The Dual MS-MA (MIP) can be completed in 1-3 additional quarters beyond the 2-year MIP program. The Dual MS-MD can be completed in 5 years, which includes an additional year beyond medical school. The Dual MS-PhD can be completed in 5 years.
How much does it cost?
Joint MS students pay tuition in their professional school: 2 years for MBA students and 3 years for Law students. Joint MBA , Dual MA (MIP), and Dual MD students who take additional quarters to complete their E-IPER coursework pay Stanford Graduate tuition, which is generally less than tuition at the Professional Schools. Graduate tuition rates are set by the University each year and depend on the number of units taken. Students should check with their professional school for more information about tuition and financial aid.
Is there funding available for Joint MS students?
E-IPER does not currently provide funding for Joint MS students. Students are encouraged to contact their professional school’s financial aid office to understand financial aid eligibility and options through their professional schools and/or sources outside Stanford.
Application Process
Who is eligible to apply?
Graduate students currently enrolled in the MBA program at Stanford's Graduate School of Business or JD program at the Law School are eligible to apply for the Joint MS in Environment and Resources. MA students in the Ford Dorsey Master's in International Policy program, MD students at Stanford's Medical School, and PhD students in another Stanford department or school are eligible to apply for the Dual MS degree. Although admission to the E-IPER Joint MS Program is dependent on admission to one of the above listed graduate school programs, you may apply for the Joint MS at the same time you apply to your professional school.
I am not interested in an MBA, JD, MA (MIP), or MD degree. Can I still apply for the Joint MS in Environment and Resources?
No. We do not have a stand-alone MS degree. We do, however, have a PhD Program in Environment and Resources.
Do I have to apply concurrently with my professional school application or can I apply later?
There are two ways to apply: you can apply concurrently with your professional school application or you can wait until your first year in your professional school. Applications for existing Professional School students are due at the end of January of your first year at Stanford.
Are there any pre-requisites for applying to the E-IPER Joint MS Program?
Though E-IPER has no specific course prerequisites for application purposes, it is expected that students will enter the program with foundational quantitative skills. These skills may be obtained through E-IPER coursework as long as students understand that this may extend the length of their program.
Could I be admitted to my professional school, but not E-IPER or vice-versa?
It is possible that you could be admitted to your professional school program, but not admitted to the E-IPER Joint MS and Dual MS Program. It is not possible to be admitted to the E-IPER program without also being admitted to a professional school program, as the MS in Environment and Resources is not a stand-alone MS degree. The Joint MS degree is conferred simultaneously with a Stanford JD and MBA degree. The Dual MS can be conferred in separate quarters for the Stanford MA (MIP), MD, or PhD degree, but we encouraged to confer simultaneously.
Test Requirements
Are GRE test scores required to apply to the Joint MS Program?
No, GRE scores are not required for application to the Joint and Dual MS Program. The E-IPER Admissions Committee will not be considering standardized test scores for Joint and Dual MS admission. However, the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT scores that are submitted with your professional school application, may considered for your professional school application. Please reach out to your respective professional school to inquire about test score requirements.
FOR JOINT MS-JD STUDENTS ONLY: Students applying for the Joint JD-MS should include a brief description of their quantitative preparation (ie. previous coursework in mathematics, sciences, and engineering or relevant professional work) to demonstrate readiness for the science and engineering courses that are required of the Joint MS.
Are there any minimum score requirements on the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT?
Since the E-IPER Admissions Committee will not be considering standardized test scores for Joint and Dual MS admission, there are no specific score requirements for the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT. However, E-IPER is a highly competitive program and the majority of admitted students have excellent academic records.
Should I send my test scores to E-IPER prior to applying to the Program?
Since the E-IPER Admissions Committee will not be considering standardized test scores for Joint and Dual MS admission, please do not send your professional school application test scores to E-IPER staff prior to applying to the Program.
What is the TOEFL requirement?
If you were required to submit TOEFL scores as part of your application to your professional school, these will be forwarded to the E-IPER admissions committee. Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or a two-year master's degree from an accredited English speaking university are exempted from the TOEFL requirement. Applicants must meet the TOEFL score requirements set forth by their professional school.