Frequently Asked Questions

At Stanford, be ready to challenge ideas, take risks, make connections, and emerge as a principled leader. Start by watching the Feel the Difference video.

Our curricula leverage a rich combination of experiential learning, case studies, discussions, and lectures — all created to both engage and transform learners. Please visit the Difference page to read more about the Stanford Executive Education teaching approach and check out this 30 second video from Stanford’s Senior Associate Dean. Get ready to be inspired.

Start by going to the Difference page and exploring the various tabs. See if you are the ideal candidate for a particular program by visiting the “Participant Profile” tab on each program page.

Next to each program on the Programs for Individual page, there is a checkbox next to the word, “Compare.” Check up to three programs and click the green compare button at the top of the page to review.

Peruse Participant Stories and Voices to get a real feel for Stanford Executive Education.

Our faculty members, who also teach in the MBA program, are world-renowned experts in the global business community. Please visit Faculty Spotlights to read several stories and search Faculty Profiles to learn more about our prestigious faculty and their research.

Visit Academic Experience to get started on your learning exploration journey.

Stanford GSB does not offer a part-time/online MBA or an Executive MBA. We do offer a range of leadership and general management programs for professionals who want to take their career to the next level. Visit Seeking an Executive MBA from Stanford? page to learn more.

See the Awarded Upon Completion section to learn about continuing education credits, certificates, and more.

Peruse Participant Spotlights to hear from others firsthand on how Stanford Executive Education enriched their lives.

Consider the High-Potential Women Leaders Program in addition to Stanford Ignite. Managing Teams for Innovation and Success is another option to explore. Register for an On-Demand program to build knowledge as you gain more experience in your career.

Venture forward with Stanford Ignite and explore new endeavors with Launching a Startup.

The Live Online programs allow participants to interact real time with professors and other participants in the comfort of their own home.

Start your online learning journey today and choose from a robust collection of On-Demand courses.

We are happy to speak to you about your organization’s unique needs. Learn more about Custom Programs and reach out through this form. We will get back to you.

For programs where applications are required, acceptance is based on distinct requirements for each program. See Eligibility Admission for further application information. For registration-only learning, explore On-Demand Online Courses.

The online application process typically takes about 25 minutes to complete. You can also find a sample application for every program once you hit the apply button.

The only programs that require a letter of recommendation are LEAD and Stanford Ignite. While a letter of recommendation is not required for Stanford Executive Program (SEP), it is recommended as it provides more context for your candidacy.

Application cycles depend on seating capacity and number of applications submitted. Therefore, acceptance changes every cycle. Visit Application Process for Executive Education Programs for more information on the acceptance notification process.

We will continue to follow mandates by Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties and guidance from Stanford University.

Please visit the International Participants page for more information regarding VISA requirements, English level proficiency, and more.

Stanford is nearly equidistant (less than 20 miles / 30 km) from the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and the San Jose International Airport (SJC). Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the airport.

Welcome to California-style living. Visit Campus Experience for suite features, photos, and more. Please visit Our Campus to learn more about what the GSB offers.

A key part of the Stanford Executive Education experience is the opportunity to stay on campus, and accommodations are included in the cost of most on-campus programs. Since all of our rooms are single occupancy and filled by Executive Education participants or MBA students, we are unable to accommodate family or guests. 

Get ready for a memorable dining experience where Chef Raul Lacara ensures that there is something for everyone! Visit Delightful Surprises of Executive Dining to learn more about dining.

Sunny California climate is temperate year-round, with comfortably warm days and pleasantly cool evenings. Business casual clothing is recommended (jeans okay) for program sessions. We suggest you check the weather before arriving.

There is a small exercise room at the Schwab Residential Center for guest use. Equipment includes treadmills, bicycles, stairmaster, rowing machine, and free weights.

Stanford Recreation Facilities also offers a comprehensive set of fitness equipment including weights, spin bikes, squash courts, etc. Swimming and track facilities are also within walking distance. Simply bring your government-issued ID with you for entry.

Program fee includes tuition, and may also include accommodations, meals, course materials, and more. See each specific program’s overview page for complete details, including cost of program.

To secure your place in the program, please remit payment within 30 days of the invoice date or upon receipt if the invoice is received within 45 days of the start of the program. Go to Payment & Cancellation for more details.

Stanford does not offer scholarships, grants, or financial aid for our Executive Education programs. For cost savings, see Discounts to see if you or your organization qualify. 

There are Cancellation policies you should be aware of in the event a change is requested. Visit the Cancellation and Deferral Policy to learn more.

A W-9 form is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax form that is used to confirm a person’s name, address, and taxpayer identification number (TIN) for employment or other income-generating purposes. The confirmation can be requested for either an individual defined as a U.S. citizen or a person defined as a resident alien.

The Stanford Executive Program is a flagship program, founded in 1952. Today, there are two program options for executives to consider in their quest to be a leader that matters.

Hear first hand on the impact this program has had on SEP participants both personally and professionally. Head over to the SEP Experience page as well as Alumni Voices and peruse a number of testimonials and videos.

SEP is an intensive full-time, in-person program with core curriculum taking place on weekdays from 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. with optional morning group exercise and many evening enrichment activities. For SEP Flex, which includes a live online component, expect to spend 4-10 hours on average a week in sessions and preparation work. 

SEP participants earn Stanford Graduate School of Business Alumni Status and a Stanford GSB Professional Certificate.

Learn more about the SEP Curriculum and download sample program schedules for a detailed overview.

Yes! We would be happy to speak with you. Reach out to the contact listed on this page, and we will get back to you shortly.

The SEP application should take no more than a couple of hours to complete. It is an online application with a handful of short essay questions. See this sample application and get more details on the Stanford Executive Program Application Process page.

The SEP program fee includes tuition, private accommodations, all meals, one year of coaching, and course materials. Payment is due upon admission. Your space is secured upon receipt of full payment

LEAD is designed to be most effective as an online business program and is only offered in this modality.

You can expect to dedicate 5-10 hours weekly to this enriching experience. Watch Successfully Fitting Stanford LEAD into Your Life for more tips from past LEADers.

LEAD tuition includes 8 courses, live faculty interaction, dedicated time and personalized feedback from course facilitators, as well as ongoing access to the community. This program  is designed to be completed fully online with elements of self-paced content, live events, group projects, collaboration, and networking. LEAD participants earn a GSB Professional Certificate and 24 Continuing Education Units. 

For LEAD, there are some options to consider for your payment convenience, including the option to pay in multiple installments. Visit Payment & Cancellations for more details.

While there is some overlap in course content between the MBA program and LEAD, the two programs are distinct in their design. LEAD is an online program for mid-to-senior career professionals who are motivated to drive, change, and elevate their impact within organizations and industries. The MBA program is an in-person program and theory focused, instilling holistic and foundational business knowledge.

Watch Stanford LEAD Participant Perspective: MBA or LEAD for more contextual information.

Yes! We encourage you to take the LEAD Self-Assessment to determine if the program is the right fit for you. Reach out to the team to discuss further:

Email: LEADadmissions@stanford.edu
Call +1 (650) 736-7901
Schedule an appointment for a personalized consultation with a program advisor.

The application process for Stanford LEAD requires you to complete four components: the online application, a short essay, a professional recommendation, and an online video interview. There is no application fee and no GMAT/GRE requirements. Visit Stanford LEAD Applications Process page to read more about each component