The Computer Science Department is committed to providing academic advising in support of MS students’ education and professional development. When most effective, this advising relationship entails collaborative engagement by both the adviser and the advisee. As a best practice, advising expectations should be discussed and reviewed to ensure mutual understanding. Both the adviser and the advisee are expected to maintain professionalism, respect, and integrity. They should also be responsive to one another in a timely manner.
At the start of graduate study, each student is assigned a MS adviser, a member of faculty who provides guidance in course selection, waivers, and in exploring academic opportunities and professional pathways. Students are encouraged to meet with their adviser during their first quarter to go over their proposed MS plan. Usually, the same faculty member serves as the adviser for the duration of MS study.
In addition to the faculty adviser, the CS Course Adviser is a peer adviser who is available to answer questions that are best understood from the student perspective, such as workload levels and optimal course scheduling.
The CS student services staff are also an important part of the MS advising team. They inform students and advisers about University and department requirements, procedures, and opportunities, and maintain the official records of advising assignments, waivers, and course approvals. Students are encouraged to talk with both the faculty adviser and the student services staff as they consider their course plans. Their contact information can be found here: https://cs.stanford.edu/advising.
Students are active contributors to the advising relationship and we urge them to proactively seek academic and professional guidance and take responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program. We therefore expect students to read regular communication from the Registrar's office and Student Services regarding upcoming academic deadlines and policy updates, and to be responsible for complying with the university and program requirements.
