All students working toward the degree of Doctor of Medicine must complete a curriculum in the basic medical sciences and have clinical experience in medicine, surgery, pediatrics, gynecology-obstetrics, family medicine and psychiatry. The School of Medicine is part of the Stanford University Medical Center, which encompasses Stanford Hospital and Clinics and the Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital. There are 12 departmental and interdepartmental programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree and one program offered for the Master of Science. Some programs also offer a combined Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree. Each quarter, the Continuing Studies Program offers more than 80 classes, seminars and workshops to more than 2,000 adult members of the Stanford and surrounding communities.
Courses range from archeology to web technology, languages to literatures.
The M.L.A. degree, granted by Stanford, is offered through Continuing Studies. The program is taught by Stanford faculty and is designed for working adults. It takes three to five years to complete. The Summer Session is the only academic quarter during which Stanford offers open enrollment for university classes. Joining current Stanford undergraduate and graduate students in the Summer Session are advanced high school juniors and seniors and visiting college and university students from around the world.