Nuts & Bolts

Tuition and Fees

Tuition
MLA tuition for the 2007-2008 academic year is $6,825. Tuition for the time during which students work on their theses is $2,730. Students may expect annual tuition increases. See the sample timelines below for the estimated total cost to degree.

Document Fee
One-time fee of $160; paid fall quarter of the student's incoming year.
Stanford charges a one-time Document Fee to all students admitted to new degree or non-degree programs in 1993 or later. The fee is paid once only, regardless of the number of degrees a student may ultimately pursue. It covers the cost of a variety of University administrative services such as enrollment and degree certification, course drops and adds done before published deadlines, diplomas, official transcripts and their production, and credential files maintained by the Career Development Center.

ASSU Fees
The Associated Students of Stanford University (ASSU) fees are established by student vote in Spring quarter. Fees directly fund activities of student organizations and not operations of ASSU. The 2007-2008 fees are:
Graduates: Autumn, $29; Winter, $30; Spring, $30
All fees are refundable. Refunds can be requested during the first three weeks of each quarter on the ASSU web site at http://assu.stanford.edu. Those eligible are mailed refund checks by the eighth week of the quarter.

Discounts

	20% tuition discount for all current and retired K-12 educators.
	Stanford employees eligible for the Staff Tuition Reimbursement Program (STRP) are entitled to receive up to $5250 per year toward their tuition. Stanford employees who are not eligible for STRP may be qualified for the Stanford Tuition Assistance Program (STAP).

Financial Assistance

The MLA program administers a need-blind admission policy—students are admitted without regard to their ability to pay. The MLA tuition assistance program attempts to provide assistance in meeting tuition costs to all students with demonstrated need. Students accepted to the program will receive information about tuition assistance at the time of admission.

Classes Meet In the Evenings

Because the MLA program is designed with working adults in mind, all seminars meet in in the evenings. Classes meet once a week, 10 times per quarter, usually from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.

Progress Toward Degree

Students should expect to complete the Master of Liberal Arts in four to five years. Students are expected to make steady progress toward their degree, which normally means at least five MLA seminars within two academic years. MLA students must enroll for each academic year from the time of original matriculation until conferral of the degree.

Sample Timelines

The following charts show sample coursework schedules. The timeline on the left leads to a degree in four years; the timeline on the right leads to a degree in five years. Once a student has completed the first four required courses, the quarters during which a student decides to take one or two seminars or an elective, or to take the quarter off, will vary depending on the student’s personal schedule. MLA students may take a maximum of eight units (2 seminars) per quarter, and a total of twelve units (3 seminars) in two consecutive quarters.

Quarter Autumn 08-09 Winter 08-09 Spring 08-09 Summer 08-09 Autumn 09-10 Winter 09-10 Spring 09-10 Summer 09-10 Autumn 10-11 Winter 10-11 Spring 10-11 Summer 10-11 Autumn 11-12 Winter 11-12 Spring 11-12 Summer 11-12 Autumn 12-13 Winter 12-13 Spring 12-13 Summer 12-13

Sample Timeline I: Degree in Four Years Coursework Est. Tuition* Foundations I $6,825 Foundations II Foundations III   Core Introductory Seminar $7,165 1st Seminar 2nd Seminar and 2-Unit Elective 3rd Seminar 4th and 5th Seminar $7,520 6th Seminar 7th Seminar Begin working on Thesis Register for Work-In-Progress $3,150     Graduation         Estimated Cost to Degree: $24,660

Sample Timeline II: Degree in Five Years Coursework Est. Tuition* Foundations I $6,825 Foundations II Foundations III   Core Introductory Seminar $7,165 1st Seminar 2nd Seminar   3rd Seminar and 2-Unit Elective $7,520 4th Seminar 5th Seminar   6th Seminar $7,895 7th Seminar Begin working on Thesis   Register for Work-In-Progress $3,300     Graduation Estimated Cost to Degree: $32,705

* The estimated tuition is based on a five percent annual increase: this is merely intended to give a general estimate; it is not a guarantee of future tuition rates. You can also expect to add an estimated $516 in fees to the cost to degree over four years, and $605 in fees over five years.

Active Status

To remain active, students must either: Complete a minimum of two MLA courses in one academic year, or Be actively working on their theses and regularly attending the work-in-progress meetings. Please note that if a student completes only two courses in one academic year, he or she will need to take extra courses the following year in order to complete the program within five academic years. Student Services As part of the Stanford community, MLA students enjoy access to all regular Stanford University libraries and academic services. Transfer Credit Students may not apply credit for coursework taken at Stanford or elsewhere toward the MLA degree. Frequently Asked Questions Click here for answers to frequently asked questions regarding the MLA program and the admissions process. _______ "My time in Stanford’s MLA program has been one of the best investments I’ve made." - Kurt Keilhacker ‘02, Venture Capitalist, TechFund "The MLA isn't just a 'part-time' program. It keeps you engaged around the clock by providing you with thought-provoking questions and issues that you can share with friends, family, and co-workers. During my Biomedical Ethics course, I brought a new controversial topic to work each week that jump-started new friendships and closer working relationships. Through the MLA program, you develop new interests and new confidence." - Shannon Marimon, Outreach and Student Relations Manager of the Overseas Studies Program, Stanford University

last updated: September 4, 2007