Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures

The Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures handbook (the GAP) is a compilation of university policies and other information related to the academic progress of Stanford graduate students, from their application and admission to the conferral of degrees and retention of records.

1. Introduction

• 1.1 Introduction

2. Admissions and Matriculation

• 2.1 Admitting Graduate Students to Matriculated Study
• 2.2 Requirements for New International Students
• 2.3 Nonmatriculated Graduate Students
• 2.4 Students of New Faculty
• 2.5 Commitment to Graduate Student Diversity

3. General Requirements, Progress and Milestones

• 3.1 Registration, Enrollment, and Academic Progress
• 3.2 Residency Policy for Graduate Students
• 3.3 Academic Advising
• 3.4 Faculty Directors of Graduate Studies

4. Degree-Specific Requirements, Progress and Milestones

• 4.1 Master's Degrees
• 4.2 Coterminal Degrees
• 4.3 Engineer Degree
• 4.4 Professional Degrees
• 4.5 Doctoral Degrees, Requirements
• 4.6 Doctoral Degrees, Candidacy
• 4.7 Doctoral Degrees, University Oral Examinations & Committees
• 4.8 Doctoral Degrees, Dissertations & Dissertation Reading Committees
• 4.9 Joint Degree Programs

5. Changes of Enrollment Status

• 5.1 Changes and Additions of Degree Programs
• 5.2 Part-Time Enrollment
• 5.3 Leaves of Absence
• 5.4 Program Discontinuation and Reinstatement
• 5.5 Enrollment Holds (Negative Service Indicators)
• 5.6 Dismissal for Academic and Professional Reasons
• 5.7 Conferral of Degrees
• 5.8 Exchange Programs
• 5.9 Pregnancy, Childbirth, Adoption and Lactation
• 5.10 Converting to Postdoctoral Status
• 5.11 Postdoctoral Scholars in Degree Programs

6. Tuition and Fees

• 6.1 Graduate Tuition Categories
• 6.2 University Fees

7. Graduate Student Funding

• 7.1 Graduate Financial Support: General Funding Guidelines and Definitions
• 7.2 Fellowships and Other Stipend Support
• 7.3 Assistantships
• 7.4 Postdoctoral Scholar Support

8. Student Records and Files

• 8.1 Principles for Handling of Student Data
• 8.2 Privacy of Student Records and FERPA
• 8.3 Retention of Student Records