About VPUE
The Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
Established in 1995, the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE) comprises the Bing Overseas Studies Program, the Center for Teaching and Learning, Stanford Introductory Studies, and Undergraduate Advising and Research. Our objective is to enrich the undergraduate experience at Stanford. For undergraduates, VPUE serves as the nexus for key programs and initiatives that both facilitate students’ acclimation to college level work and help them define and achieve their intellectual ambitions at Stanford. Student opportunities within VPUE include investigative introductory humanities courses, targeted classes in writing and rhetoric, specialized introductory seminars, intensive pre-term September studies programs, undergraduate research support, overseas studies programs, academic advising, and undergraduate scholarships and fellowships, as well as tutoring and learning skills support. The VPUE also serves as the primary conduit for faculty interested in furthering their interaction with undergraduates, developing innovative curriculum and pedagogy, and discovering ways in which working with undergraduates can enrich their own research agendas. We advocate for undergraduate education in collaboration with students, faculty, schools and departments across the university. All of our resources are dedicated to connecting students with Stanford, involving faculty with undergraduate education, and fully realizing a liberal education.
- Meet Harry J. Elam, Jr., the Freeman-Thornton Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at Stanford University
- Contact VPUE
Bing Overseas Studies Program
The Bing Overseas Studies Program (BOSP) offers the opportunity to study abroad while remaining enrolled at Stanford. All BOSP programs offer direct Stanford credit for courses taught overseas that frequently count toward one or more majors. In addition, many BOSP courses fulfill General Education Requirements. BOSP operates a variety of programs, including quarter-length programs, internships and other opportunities. BOSP additionally offers assistance to students considering studying abroad beyond BOSP's program offerings.
Center for Teaching and Learning
CTL offers faculty one-on-one consultations on anything related to teaching and learning—course development and re-design, what to expect in various teaching environments , assistance in the acquisition and interpretation of student feedback, as well as in selecting and using appropriate classroom technology tools. In addition, CTL provides training and pedagogical support for teaching assistants, oral communication resources to assist faculty and students in developing in-class or professional presentations, and course-specific tutoring services, as well as learning skills consultations for students.
Stanford Introductory Studies
Stanford Introductory Studies (SIS) courses introduce students to the kinds of transformative questions that promote intellectual and personal development. With a focus on reading critically, writing effectively, and thinking analytically, SIS prepares undergraduates to achieve their academic goals. These courses include requirements in the Introduction to the Humanities (IHUM) and Writing and Rhetoric (PWR), or Structured Liberal Education (SLE), which incorporates both requirements, as well as Introductory Seminars.
Undergraduate Advising and Research
The Office of Undergraduate Advising and Research (UAR) supports undergraduates in their transition into Stanford and helps them identify and develop their intellectual interests over the course of their undergraduate years, with particular focus on their pre-major years. We do this by providing academic advisors in the residence halls, the Athletic Advising Resource Center, and in Sweet Hall who actively engage students about course selection, major selection, fellowships, scholarships, research opportunities, graduate and professional school options, academic performance, and maximizing the opportunities available to them.
Vice Provost's Office
The administrative group working directly for the vice provost serves the efforts of the overall VPUE organization. Functional departments within the administrative group include finance, human resources, information technology, facilities, and project management. The vice provost’s executive staff includes the senior associate vice provost, the associate vice provost, and the director of finance and administration.