Information Session: Stanford Graduate Degrees, Certificates, and Courses I 2025

Key Concepts

• Honors Cooperative Program (HCP): Stanford's part-time master's degree program for working professionals.
• Stanford Center for Global and Online Education (CGOE): The organization within Stanford Engineering that manages online and professional education programs. Formerly known as the Stanford Center for Professional Development (SCPD).
• Non-Degree Option (NDO): Allows individuals to take graduate-level courses for credit without being matriculated into a degree program.
• Graduate Certificate: An accredited credential earned by completing a specific set of courses, typically 12-16 units.
• Credit-Bearing Courses: Courses that count towards a degree or certificate.
• Non-Credit-Bearing Courses: Professional programs or courses, often open enrollment, that do not count towards a degree.
• Canvas: The learning management system used by Stanford.
• Exam Monitor: A proctor required for in-person exams taken by online students.
• CEUs (Continuing Education Units): Units earned from professional certificates that cannot be transferred for graduate credit.

History and Evolution of Stanford's Online Education

• 1954: Frederick Terman establishes the Honors Cooperative Program (HCP) to allow working engineers to pursue master's degrees part-time.
• Late 1960s: The program expands to broadcasting via the Stanford Instructional Television Network.
• 1990s: Transition to a satellite network.
• Mid-1990s: Move online, with the first fully online master's degree (Electrical Engineering) offered in the late 1990s.
• Past 20-25 years: Growth as SCPD, with increasing online offerings.
• Recent: Renamed to Center for Global and Online Education (CGOE) to reflect its expanded scope.

Breadth of CGOE Offerings

• Professional Programs/Courses (Non-Credit-Bearing):
  • Open enrollment, available on the Stanford Online website.
  • Vary in rigor, from self-paced to cohort-based courses.
  • Examples: Product management, artificial intelligence (10-week courses, 10-12 hours/week).
• Credit-Bearing Programs:
  • Honors Cooperative Program (HCP): Flexible master's degree.
  • Non-Degree Option (NDO): Course-by-course enrollment for working professionals.
  • Graduate Certificates: Accredited credentials, typically 12-16 units.
  • Master's Degrees: Many Stanford Engineering master's degrees are available part-time with online coursework options.

How Online Courses Work

• Lecture Delivery:
  • Courses are recorded in campus classrooms and published on Canvas.
  • Students can live stream or watch recordings at their convenience (but must keep up with deadlines).
• Online Components:
  • Assignments submitted online (e.g., via Gradescope).
  • Office hours available online (e.g., via Zoom, Teams).
  • Discussion forums (e.g., Ed, Canvas forums).
• In-Person Exams:
  • Require an exam monitor at the student's location.
  • A 24-hour window is typically provided to accommodate time zones and work schedules.
• Access to Resources:
  • Students receive a Stanford email and login credentials during active enrollment.
  • This provides access to Canvas, online library resources, etc.

Key Considerations for Success

• Time Commitment: Plan for 15-25 hours of coursework per week per course.
• Support Network: Build a strong support network of friends, coworkers, and other students.
• Online Orientation: Attend the quarterly online orientation.
• Slack Channel: Join the opt-in Slack channel for student interaction and support.
• Key Deadlines: Be aware of academic and course-specific deadlines.

Non-Degree Program (NDO) Details

• Application:
  • Non-matriculated program; apply for individual courses.
  • Applications accepted any quarter.
  • Simple online application requiring academic and professional background information, transcripts, and a statement of purpose.
  • Deadline for Autumn quarter applications: September 7th.
• Flexibility:
  • Non-continuous enrollment; take breaks between quarters.
• Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Graduate Certificates:
  • Accredited by WASC.
  • Maintain a B or better/B average.
  • Complete courses within three years.
• Credit Transfer:
  • Up to 18 units of credit earned through NDO can be applied to a master's degree if admitted (subject to department approval).
• Course Approval:
  • Approval is on a course-by-course basis. Applications are submitted to departments for approval only upon enrollment in a course.

Part-Time Master's Degree Program (Honors Cooperative Program - HCP)

• Application:
  • Same application as the full-time degree program.
  • Apply through the department.
  • Deadlines typically around December for matriculation the following autumn.
• Program Details:
  • Fully matriculated student with the same rights and privileges as full-time students.
  • Attend in person or online (or a combination).
  • Not all master's degree programs can be completed remotely; varies by department.
  • Only some concentrations are available online.
• US Residency Requirement:
  • Computer Science master's degree requires US residency for online study.

Tuition

• $1,575 per unit of credit (AY 2025/26).
• Typical 4-unit course: $6,300.
• Graduate certificate (12-16 units): $18,000 - $25,000.
• Payment is on a course-by-course basis.

Additional Information and Clarifications

• CEUs vs. Graduate Credit: CEUs cannot be used towards graduate credit-bearing programs.
• Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program: CGOE does not manage this program; contact the program directly.
• TA Sections: Recording of TA sections varies by TA and course.
• Attending Classes in Person: Primarily an online program; in-person attendance may be possible with permission.
• Course Prerequisites: Students are expected to have undergraduate-level background knowledge.
• Course Auditing: Not offered, but many materials are available on the CGOE YouTube channel and public-facing course websites.
• International Degrees: World Education Services (WES) can provide notarization and language transfer services.
• Notation on Degree: The degree certificate will indicate completion through the Honors Cooperative Program.
• Mixing and Matching Courses: You can take individual courses without pursuing a certificate.
• Substituting Courses: Possible with a petition to the department.
• GPA Below 3.0: Work experience cannot compensate for a GPA below 3.0.
• Previous Master's Degree GPA: Considered separately from undergraduate GPA.
• Taking Courses Indefinitely: Possible in the non-degree program, but courses may be sunset over time.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The Stanford Center for Global and Online Education (CGOE) offers a wide range of programs, from non-credit professional courses to fully accredited master's degrees, designed to provide flexible learning opportunities for working professionals and global learners. The Honors Cooperative Program (HCP) allows students to pursue master's degrees part-time, with many courses available online. The Non-Degree Option (NDO) provides a pathway to explore graduate-level coursework and potentially earn a graduate certificate, with credits that can be applied towards a master's degree if admitted. While online learning offers flexibility, success requires significant time commitment, a strong support network, and proactive engagement with the online community. Prospective students should carefully research program requirements, deadlines, and course availability to make informed decisions and maximize their learning experience.