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About Our Students
| "When you join
the Stanford MLA program, you become part of an extraordinary
community of students and teachers who get together not just to
facilitate the pursuit of a graduate degree at a world-class university,
but because they can't think of another place they'd rather be,
or anything they'd rather be doing. They get together for the
pure joy of exploring the world of ideas together, and I can tell
you from personal experience that it's an exhilarating and rewarding
place to be."
– Phil Thompson, Writer, self-employed |
teachers
engineers
journalists
physicians
programmers
lawyers
parents
ceos
retirees
administrators
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MLA students bring diverse cultures, professions, and
interests to the classroom. They are engineers, physicians, homemakers,
administrators, CEOs, full-time parents, lawyers, journalists, teachers,
retirees, writers, computer programmers, athletes, librarians, and more.
Our students range in age and experience from recent college graduates
to retirees. What they all share is an appetite for new knowledge and
a thirst for intellectual refreshment. Together they form a dedicated
and dynamic cohort of students who bring a lifetime of experience and
expertise into the classroom.
The reasons for participating in the MLA program are as
numerous as our students. For most students, the pursuit of the MLA
degree is an end in itself; for others, it is the beginning of an academic
career. Whatever their motivations, students agree that no matter what
they do, after the MLA program, they do it better, more thoughtfully,
and with more confidence.
The commitment to join the master’s program is a
significant one, but the rewards, for those who seek to gain all they
can from what Stanford offers, are rich indeed.
Student Testimonials
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"An unanticipated benefit
to the program has been the incredible people I've met. The MLA
students, like the program itself, are unique. The variety in
age, professional backgrounds, and perspectives brings an enriching
element of diversity to the MLA courses." - Kayleen Joyce
McDonald, Immigration Advisor to Foreign Scholars, Stanford University
" I always wondered who else in my area
loved learning as much as I do. Through the MLA program, I'm happy
to say I found 'my people'!" - Wendy Ellis, Homemaker/Mural
Painter/Volunteer
"You can't put a price on a life of the
mind. My MLA experience was priceless, something I'll treasure
the rest of my life." - Bliss Goldstein '03, Sales and
Lifecoach, Speaker, and Writer, Training Professionals
"If you are thinking, “I’d like
to go back to school and get a PhD someday,” start work
on your MLA now. There is no better way to prepare yourself."
- John McCaskey ’97, PhD Candidate, Department of History,
Stanford University
"My earlier graduate studies were a matter
of achieving professional standing. The MLA, however, begs to
be pursued out of the pure love of learning. What's great about
this program is that the studies are an end in themselves."
- John Farnsworth, Writer/Developmental Editor, self-employed
"MLA = intellectual stimulation + fun in your
own backyard. It doesn't get much better that this!" - Judith
Brodsky ‘98, Substitute Teacher's Aide, San Mateo County
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If you would like to speak with a current MLA student
about the Stanford MLA experience, please contact us at mlaprogram@stanford.edu.
Information
for K-12 Educators
Full listing
of MLA thesis titles
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Commitment to Diversity
The MLA program is committed to the idea that diversity
in our student body enhances the educational experience. By challenging
our most fundamental assumptions, diversity in the classroom broadens
perspectives and sharpens critical thinking skills. For these reasons,
the MLA program seeks to admit students of various backgrounds. Our
broad idea of diversity includes, but is not limited to, diversity in
race, ethnicity, gender, age, color, religion, sexual orientation, disability,
work and life experiences, socioeconomic status, and personal interests.
last updated: August 22, 2005
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