Graduate Program

PhD degree

The doctoral program in Earth System Science at Stanford University prepares the next generation of scientists to tackle the world's most pressing environmental challenges through rigorous interdisciplinary training and cutting-edge research.

Earth System Science is the study of the world's air, water, land, and life as an integrated system. Our program unites basic and purpose-driven research to understand how the Earth functions, the many ways it is changing, and what the consequences of these changes will be for people and other species. We train students to understand, predict, and respond to human-caused and natural environmental change at local to global scales.

Doctoral students engage with fundamental Earth system science, from ocean circulation and biogeochemical cycles to climate dynamics, while also addressing critical sustainability challenges related to food, water, energy, biodiversity, climate change, and environmental justice. Our students study the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the plants and animals with which we share the planet, all while developing as independent researchers capable of making significant scientific contributions. Learn more about the program and course requirements for the ESS PhD degree.

MS Degree

Our department offers an MS degree sharing many of the same coursework requirements as the PhD with a thesis research requirement. However, very few faculty accept terminal MS students, so our MS cohort is quite small. Prior to applying to the MS program, you should check with your potential faculty advisor to determine whether they accept terminal MS students.