Joint Doctoral Program, Ph.D. in Education

How to Apply

All applicants must have completed a master’s degree program prior to admission and reside in San Diego or Imperial counties or commit to relocating if admitted to the program. The GRE is no longer required to apply to this program.

Important Dates for Fall 2026

Item	Due Date (Priority)	Due Date (General)
1. Cal State Apply application (opens October 1 each year)	December 1, 2025	February 1, 2026
2. Official transcripts due	December 15, 2025	February 15, 2026
3. Interfolio program application	December 15, 2025	February 15, 2026

This program accepts applications every other year. We will admit for Fall 2024 and then plan for Fall 2026.

Steps 1-4: Admission to SDSU

Steps 1-4 must be completed through the SDSU Graduate Admissions Office.

Get general help and tips on how to complete the Cal State Apply application.
Application Guide: Cal State Apply Tutorial

SDSU Graduate Admissions: Steps to Apply

Your program application has been created in a system called Interfolio. For help, refer to this Interfolio Tutorial (PDF).

Please gather the required program-specific documents below and have them ready to upload to the Interfolio program application.

Personal Statement

Write a 2-3 page personal statement.

The statement should include your reasons for seeking admission to this particular doctoral program, your perceived strengths and weaknesses in preparation for doctoral study, your research interests, and your relevant academic and employment experiences.
Indicate why you believe the SDSU/ CGU Joint Ph.D. Program in Education is appropriate for you.
Be sure to include at least 2 faculty members from each campus you would like to work with based on your thorough knowledge of their work.
The personal statement should be typed and double spaced.

Resume/CV

Prepare a current resume or curriculum vitae listing work experience, education, awards, publications, and presentations.

Unofficial transcripts

Download unofficial transcripts (or scan a paper transcript) for every institution, one file per institution, and be prepared to upload to the Interfolio program application. This is in addition to, not a substitution for, having official transcripts sent to SDSU Graduate Admissions office.

Letters of Recommendation

Contact 3 individuals you have interacted with personally and professionally and would be able to write a letter of recommendation for you. Be sure that one letter comes from someone who can reflect on your prior academic accomplishments. Recommenders will submit their letters directly into the Interfolio program application.

Go to Program Application