How to Apply

Application Requirements

1. Transcripts: Applicants will need to upload unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended in the online application. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions must be mailed in only after an acceptance of offer of admission to the program. Official transcripts should be mailed directly to Encina Commons, Room 128, 615 Crothers Way
   Stanford, CA 94305

2. Standardized Testing: International student applicants whose native language is not English and do not possess a U.S. bachelor's degree are expected to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and have the results sent to Graduate Admissions, Office of the University Registrar (university code: 4704).  TOEFL scores must be from a test taken within the last 18 months.  For more information, visit Graduate Admissions. 

3. Statement of Purpose: Applicants must compose a statement of purpose that explains how the program would advance the applicant's academic or career goals. The statement should not exceed two (2) pages in length, single-spaced.

4. Letters of Recommendation: Three (3) letters of recommendation on the applicant's behalf should be received from faculty members in Russian, East European, and Eurasian fields (one should be from an area language instructor).  Instructions on submitting letters of recommendation can be found in the online application.

5. Additional Required Materials: (to be uploaded in a single file as "Additional Materials" in the application)

   • a writing sample of 20 pages or fewer in English on an academic topic in Russian, East European, or Eurasian studies

   • a resume of college-level courses taken that are relevant to Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, including language courses, with self-reported final grades

Admission Requirements

Successful applicants generally demonstrate the following: outstanding academic achievement; significant coursework in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies in multiple disciplines; three years of college-level language study in Russian, an East European, or Central Asian language (candidates with fewer years of area language study are considered); strong analytical writing skills; study or work experience in the region; strong letters of recommendation; and a persuasive statement of purpose explaining how the program would advance the applicant's academic and career goals.

To qualify for admission to the program, applicants must hold a B.A. or B.S. degree or equivalent at time of enrollment at Stanford.

The Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

Dual & Joint Degrees

Dual Degrees

To be eligible for a dual degree program with the Graduate School of Business (M.B.A.), School of Law (J.D.), or School of Medicine (M.D.), candidates must apply and be admitted independently to both programs.  Students already enrolled other graduate degree programs at Stanford, including doctoral programs, may apply to add the REEES MA program as a second, concurrent degree program. Program requirements for each degree do not overlap and must be fulfilled separately.

Joint MA/JD

The REEES MA/JD joint degree program allows students to count course units towards both degrees. Students must apply separately for admission to the School of Law and the REEES MA program. To learn more about the Stanford Law School application process, visit the SLS website.

All applicants for the joint or dual degrees should contact the creeesinfo [at] stanford.edu (subject: Dual%2FJoint%20Degree%20Inquiry) (CREEES Associate Director) to discuss the application process and their academic plans.