How to Apply
Ed.D. in PK-12 School Leadership
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.
Important Dates for Fall 2026
| Item | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Cal State Apply application (opens October 1 each year) |
February 1, 2026 |
| 2. Program application | February 15, 2026 |
| 3. Official transcripts due | February 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.
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.
- Application Guide: Slate Applicant User Guide
Statement of Leadership Philosophy
Write a Statement of Leadership Philosophy, 1-2 pages, addressing your beliefs and values about leadership, curriculum and instruction, students, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders.
Resume/CV
Prepare a current resume or curriculum vitae to your application, which will include your education and employment history as well as any academic honors, awards, scholarships, and publications.
Letters of Recommendation
Contact 2 individuals who you have interacted with academically and/or professionally and would be able to write a letter of recommendation for you. Recommenders will submit their recommendations directly into the program application.
Statement of Nomination or Support from your Employer
Nomination/statement of support for the candidate's doctoral studies from employer or, in cases where this is not provided, an indication of the candidate's plan for meeting the demands of the program and professional responsibilities.
Example of Professional and/or Academic Writing
Please submit an example of your best professional and/or academic writing.
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.