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University Minimum Residency Requirements for Graduate Degrees

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Residency Policy for Graduate Students

Degree Type1

Minimum # of Units

Maximum Allowable External Transfer Units

M.A., M.S., M.F.A., M.L.A.

45

04

Engineer2

90

45

M.B.A., M.P.P.3

90

04

Ph.D., D.M.A.5

135

45

M.D.

235

90

J.D.6,7

109

45

M.L.S., L.L.M., J.S.M.7

35

04

J.S.D.7

44

04
  1. The University has authorized the granting of the M.A.T., Ed.S. and Ed.D degrees, but they are not being offered.
  2. Up to 45 units completed at Stanford toward a M.A. or M.S. degree or accepted as transfer credit in an Engineering discipline may be used toward the 90 unit residency requirement for the Engineer degree. At least 45 units of work at Stanford are necessary to complete the 90 residency units for the Engineer degree.
  3. Enrollment in the M.P.P. program is limited to candidates who have earlier been accepted to another Stanford graduate degree program.
  4. Students eligible for Veterans Affairs educational benefits should refer to the Veterans Benefits section of "Admissions and Financial Aid" in this bulletin.
  5. Up to 45 units completed at Stanford toward a M.A. or M.S. degree or accepted as transfer credit may be used toward the 135 unit residency requirement for the Ph.D. or D.M.A. degree. At least 90 units of work at Stanford are necessary to complete the 135 residency units for the Ph.D. or D.M.A. degree.
  6. J.D. students entering prior to the Autumn Quarter 2009-10 must take the equivalent of 86 semester units.
  7. The Academic Senate approved these residency requirements on February 4, 2010, effective for the 2009-10 academic year.

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