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Stanford
Stanford in Washington
School of Humanities and Sciences

Academics

The Bing Stanford in Washington Program requires students to enroll in classes offered at the Bass Center.

Classes Overview

These classes are meant to enrich your time and experience in Washington. BSIW Program classes:

  • Are taught by Washington policymakers and professionals and Stanford faculty
  • Range from 2 to 5 units
  • Consist mostly of seminars, but often a speaker series is offered as well
  • Are generally not cross-listed in any other department, however certain departments may give credit for courses at SIW, please consult with us or your department.

All students participating in the BSIW Program are required to enroll in at least 12 units on Axess. 

Classes listed on Axess are finalized approximately 2 to 3 weeks before the beginning of the quarter. Students are allowed to shop for classes; however, all Axess deadlines must be followed.

Directed Reading

A directed reading is a focused, independent study completed under the supervision of a Stanford faculty member willing to advise you on your work.

Directed readings can be anywhere from 2 units (about ten pages in length) to 5 units (about 25 pages in length). If you’d like your directed reading to be counted towards your major, you should arrange for your departmental advisor or another faculty member in your department to advise you on and read your paper. You will enroll in their directed reading on Axess and once the paper is complete, that faculty member will assign you a grade. If at all possible, arrangements should be made with a directed reading advisor before you arrive at BSIW.

Courses Offered

The courses shown on this site are for informational purposes only and are subject to change before you attend the Bing Stanford in Washington Program.   

Students seeking to fulfill requirements in majors such as engineering may enroll in one course taught on the Stanford campus and delivered online by the Stanford Center for Professional Development (SCPD).  To view SCPD courses that are offered to students in the BSIW Program, please visit their website: scpd.stanford.edu.