Leaders in any field—scholars who drive advances in research, experts who will inform and shape policy, and individuals who will guide organizations and institutions on new and promising paths—need a core set of skills to be effective in their roles. They must be able to communicate their ideas clearly, work with and manage teams, and influence and direct change.

Stanford is integrating an explicit leadership curriculum into graduate education to help students sharpen the practical skills they will need to contribute to and transform their fields, their organizations, and the world. Coursework in areas such as negotiation, organizational effectiveness, ethics, public speaking, and entrepreneurship has been developed for specific degree programs, as well as for campus-wide workshops and summer programs. And to nurture the global perspective that our world demands, the university is expanding opportunities for graduate students to participate in international education, research, and exchange programs.