How to Apply

M.A. in Education with Counseling Concentration

You can earn the Advanced Certificate in Restorative Justice Practice and Trauma-Informed Care on the way to completing the M.A. degree.

Important Dates for Fall 2026

Item Due Date
1. Cal State Apply application
(opens October 1 each year)		 April 1, 2026
2. Program application April 15, 2026
3. Official transcripts due April 15, 2026

Application Instructions

Step 1: Submit Cal State Apply Application to SDSU

SDSU uses the California State University common admission application through the Cal State Apply website. Complete the first steps through the SDSU Graduate Admissions Office.

SDSU Graduate Admissions: Steps to Apply

Step 2: Submit Slate Application to Program

Within 72 hours of submitting your Cal State Apply application, you will receive an email containing a personalized link to Slate, where you must complete your program application.

Please ensure that all required program-specific documents listed below are prepared in advance and ready to upload to your Slate application.

 

Items Requested in Program Application

Personal Statement

Write a 2-3 page personal statement based on the following prompts:

  • What interests you about our hybrid online program compared to other training programs?
  • What personal experiences have been important in helping you prepare to be a mental health professional, counselor, or educator?
  • What unique multicultural experiences have you had in your life that have been meaningful to you in preparing to work as a mental health professional, counselor, or educator?
  • What specific events, in your schooling or working life, stand out to you as important stepping stones for training to be a mental health professional, counselor, or educator?
Resume or CV

Please upload your current resume or CV to the program application.

Language Background

This information will be requested within the program application.

Unofficial Transcripts

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

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation from 3 individuals who have knowledge of your academic and/or professional work. Please request that they write their letter and have it ready for when the system is available, since they will be needed quickly. Recommenders will submit their letters directly to the program application (not through Cal State Apply).

Please collect names and email addresses so you are ready to request these letters in the program application.

Video

Make a 5- to 6-minute video on your phone or some other video recording device and upload it to YouTube, Vimeo, or Google Drive and share the link/URL in the program application. Address the following questions in your video:

  • Tell us what you are most passionate about and why you are interested in becoming a mental health professional, counselor or educator.
  • What do you hope to learn throughout the program?
  • What do you imagine will be your contribution to the field, and how will you work with others to provide them with helpful mental health services?

Step 3: Submit Official Transcripts

After you submit your Cal State Apply application, send Official Transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended to SDSU. Continue to monitor your email account for correspondence from SDSU.

Step 4: Monitor my.SDSU

Be sure to follow all instructions provided by SDSU, particularly those related to setting up your my.SDSU account. Once your account is active, regularly monitor your my.SDSU Application To-Do List for any items or requests issued by Graduate Admissions. Prompt attention to these items is essential to avoid delays in the processing of your application.

Informational Sessions

Monday, February 2nd from 7:00-8:00pm: https://SDSU.zoom.us/meeting/register/KuN0uYY3Tr2eQXsoopZEAA 
Friday, February 13th from 6:00-7:00pm: https://SDSU.zoom.us/meeting/register/JaZtV47bTCGxDeK15lQIaA 
Friday, March 6th from 6:00-7:00pm: https://SDSU.zoom.us/meeting/register/Kls44HWXRdqx0b-f57Wa-A 

Need Help or Have Questions?

Cal State Apply Help

For help with the Cal State Apply application, contact: [email protected] 

Program Questions

For general program questions, contact: [email protected] 

Graduate Advisor

Selam Gebrekristos
[email protected] 

SDSU Resources for Future Students

This program is offered through the

Department of Counseling and School Psychology