Postsecondary Educational Leadership and Student Affairs (M.A.)
How to Apply
The GRE is no longer required to apply to this program.
Important Dates for Fall 2025
| Item | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Cal State Apply application (opens October 1 each year) |
December 1, 2024 |
| 2. Official transcripts due | December 15, 2024 |
| 3. Interviews (through Zoom) | TBD |
Information Sessions
Attend an info session to learn about the application process, meet current PELSA students, and discover how our program helps you support students through their college journey.
- September 12, 2024: 6 - 7 p.m.
- October 9, 2024: 6 - 7 p.m.
- November 6, 2024: 6 - 7 p.m.
1. SUBMIT CAL STATE APPLY APPLICATION
For assistance, see Tips on Completing the Cal State Apply University Application.
- Please be sure to select the program on page 2 of the San Diego Graduate programs list:
Postsecondary Educational Leadership and Student Affairs (MA) - There is a $70 application fee to submit the Cal State Apply application.
SDSU Graduate Admissions: Steps to Apply
Items Needed to Complete the Cal State Apply Application
Please upload the following documents to your Cal State Apply application.
Unofficial Transcripts
Download unofficial transcripts (or scan a paper transcript) from your degree institution and upload this document to your Cal State Apply application. You can upload other schools' transcripts as well, but faculty are most interested in your degree transcript. This is in addition to, not a substitution for, having official transcripts sent to SDSU Graduate Admissions office.
Resume/CV
Prepare a resume or curriculum vitae. We expect that this will at least include your education and work history, as well as your leadership experience and community activities.
Statement of Purpose
Write a 500 word statement of purpose, double-spaced and at least size 12 font, that addresses the following questions:
- Why are you interested in this graduate program?
- How have your previous academic experiences prepared you to meet the academic demands of graduate education and learning outcomes of this graduate program?
- How have your leadership experiences, community service/organizing activities, involvement in supporting equity, diversity & inclusion initiatives, or your professional experiences prepared you for success in this graduate program?
- What are your professional goals? How will obtaining this degree facilitate your achievement of these goals?
- Are there any other relevant insights you wish to add regarding your readiness for graduate education and/or your admission to this graduate program?
Letters of Recommendation
Contact two individuals who you have interacted with professionally and would be able to write a letter of recommendation for you. You will request the letters through your Cal State Apply application.
2. Wait to Request Official Transcripts
Please wait to request these official transcripts until after you have submitted the Cal State Apply application, then request that your official transcripts be sent to SDSU, following instructions at Submitting Your Transcripts. If you send them in before you submit the application, they will take longer to process.
If you attended SDSU for your undergraduate degree, you can skip this step—we have this information already on file.
3. If Applicable, Prepare a Letter of Interest for a Graduate Assistantship
If you plan to apply for a student affairs graduate assistantship, prepare a one-page statement of interest in which you describe your interests, background, and reasons why you would be a good candidate for the position(s) in which you are interested.
4. Interviews
Immediately after the December deadline, all applications will be reviewed by a committee of faculty in the ARPE department. Following this review, a select group of students will be invited to interview for admission to the program and for a student affairs graduate assistantship (if applicable). Program and Graduate Assistantship interviews will be held virtually in mid February. Students who do not apply for a Graduate Assistantship will be invited for a program interview only. Students will be notified of their admission status (admitted, denied, or waitlisted) shortly following the interview period.
Get in Touch
Application Process Questions
Program Questions
- [email protected]
- Sylvia Garcia-Navarrete, graduate advisor, [email protected]