Fall 2026 Application Overview

Fall 2026 Application Overview

One complete application to this program includes materials submitted in three simultaneous but largely independent systems–we’ll call them Parts A, B and C. You’ll submit transcripts separately for each part. Each application component and instructions for transcripts are summarized here and then described in greater detail below.

Part A: CSDCAS is open starting September 1 and includes the primary material for review by the admissions committee. The deadline to submit is November 1. You will follow the status of this application via your CSDCAS account. The deadline for submissions of all application materials, including letters of recommendation, transcripts, and TOEFL scores (if applicable) is November 1; hard copies (if applicable) must also be postmarked by November 1. CSDCAS application fees and fee waivers are detailed here. See Part A, below, for more information.

Part B: UCSD’s Graduate application is open starting September 3 and includes the same primary materials for review, allowing for joint consideration at both campuses. The deadline to submit is December 1. Note that your application fee for Part B will be waived when you select the Joint Doctoral Program in Language and Communicative Disorders.  See Part B, below, for more information.

Part C: CalState Apply is open starting October 1 and represents your application to San Diego State University. The deadline to submit is December 1. This application fee is $70. You will follow the status of this application, as well as receipt of your transcripts, via your my.SDSU account. See Part C, below, for more information.

Throughout the application process, please monitor the three submission portals, and follow all instructions provided.

You are encouraged to begin this process early to assure consideration of your application. Getting in touch is a great place to start! To learn more about our program, please email Associate Director, Dr. Irina Potapova ([email protected]). Please also review our faculty and their research as you consider possible mentors.

Part A: Submit the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized (CSDCAS) Application by November 1, 11:59 p.m., PST

The CSDCAS application contains the bulk of your application materials, including the following:

1. Upload the Professional Statement and Resume to the online application.
2. Mail official transcripts to CSDCAS. Instructions for submission are on the CSDCAS website.
3. Provide three letters of recommendation. Letters from former professors and research mentors are preferred, but not mandatory.

Note that if you are applying for a specific funding opportunity, you will submit supplemental materials ( see ‘Applying for Funding Opportunities,’ below).

You will be able to follow the status of your application through your CSDCAS account, including monitoring when letters of recommendation are received.

Professional Statement Prompt:

Please provide a statement that describes your academic preparation, scholarly/research interests, and professional goals. Statements should be no longer than three pages (using 1.5 or double spacing).

Specifically, address the following topics:

• What would you like to study/research in your doctoral training? Include areas and questions of interest, and include the name(s) of any JDP-LCD faculty members that you have contacted or would like to work with.
• Describe relevant experience that supports your preparation for doctoral training. This may include research experience (e.g., data analysis, data collection, publications/ presentations, research assistant/lab manager experience, and more), coursework, and other relevant training (e.g., internships, trainings, job experience, etc.).
• Indicate your fit with and potential to succeed in the Joint Doctoral Program in Language and Communicative Disorders.
• What sets you apart as a prospective graduate student and potential contributor to the profession? Where would you ideally like to be professionally in 10 to 15 years?

When preparing your personal statement, please note that your submission is strengthened by clarity and relevant examples. We encourage you to aim for straightforward writing that highlights your research experiences, skills and goals. One way to view your professional statement is as an expanded (narrative) version of your resume/CV. We look forward to your application!

Part B: Submit the UCSD application by December 1. 

You’ll be asked to upload duplicate documents to your Part A submission, including your statement, letters of recommendation and transcripts. Note that Part B transcripts may be unofficial.

Please also note that your UCSD application fees should be automatically waived. Please reach out to program leadership if this is not the case.

Part C: Submit the CalState Apply Online Application by December 1, 11:59 p.m., PST 

The CalState Apply application represents your application to San Diego State University. Unless you are applying to another CSU program that requires detailed information in CalState Apply, you are not required to complete the Transcript Information, Experiences, and Achievements sections of CalState Apply – these items will be addressed in Part A (CSDCAS).

This application process will provide you with an SDSU Student ID number; you will need this number to successfully submit your transcripts to SDSU. 

You will be able to follow the processing of your application by SDSU’s Graduate Admissions. They will send email updates every 2 weeks to students with incomplete files.

Transcripts

For this program, you are required to submit transcripts to Part A - CSDCAS (by November 1), Part B - UCSD Graduate Admissions (by December 1) and Part C - SDSU Graduate Admissions (by December 15). Note that Part B (UCSD) transcripts may be unofficial; Part A and Part C transcripts must be official transcripts. 

You can track the processing of each set of transcripts via their respective portals. Wait to receive your SDSU Student ID (obtained as part of the CalState Apply process) before submitting transcripts to SDSU Graduate Admissions.

If you are currently enrolled in courses, do not wait until current grades are posted to request transcripts if doing so will cause you to miss the November 1 or December 15 deadlines.

Detailed information regarding transcript submission is provided on our website: SLHS PhD Admissions Application Page

Which transcripts are required?

Applicants are required to submit transcripts from all schools attended (even if the grades from other institutions appear on your degree transcript). However, applicants who received their undergraduate degree from SDSU do not need to submit an SDSU transcript to SDSU Graduate Admissions. Similarly, if you completed an undergraduate degree at SDSU and attended any other universities or junior colleges and these grades appear on your SDSU transcript, you do not need to submit transcripts for those schools to SDSU Graduate Admissions. For all applicants, CSDCAS requires transcripts for undergraduate- and graduate-level coursework.

If you have international coursework, you must have your school send SDSU Graduate Admissions one official original-language copy of all records of academic coursework and proof of degree. For each document, you must also send a certified literal English translation, which can come directly from the school itself or from a professional, certified translator. The translation must contain all information shown on the original language documents. Country-specific guidelines can be found on the SDSU Graduate Admissions website. Additionally, degrees from China must also be verified by the China Academic Degrees & Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC).

Transcripts for CSDCAS

Follow instructions within the CSDCAS portal to submit transcripts by November 1.

Transcripts for UCSD

Follow instructions within the UCSD portal to submit unofficial transcripts by December 1.

Transcripts for San Diego State University

To submit transcripts to SDSU Graduate Admissions, submit one set of official transcripts, hard copy or electronic, from all institutions attended. Transcripts must be received by Graduate Admissions or postmarked by December 15th. After obtaining your SDSU Student ID via CalState Apply:

• Mail hard copy to:
  Graduate Admissions Document Processing Unit
  San Diego State University
  5500 Campanile Drive
  San Diego, CA 92182-8825
  
  or
• If your school offers an electronic option when requesting transcripts, choose SDSU from the pulldown menu.
  
  or
• If SDSU is not an option on the pulldown menu, ask your school to send to: 
  [email protected] 
  Electronic transcripts MUST come directly from your school.
  Electronic transcripts sent by students will not be accepted. 

If admitted with in-progress courses, you will be required to submit your final transcript during your first semester at SDSU. 

Additional Materials & Information

Proof of English Proficiency (if applicable) 

Proof of English Proficiency is required from international applicants whose schooling thus far has been in a language other than English.

Scores must be received electronically by Graduate Admissions by December 15. Note that it may take time for sources to send test scores to SDSU, so please plan accordingly. See SDSU’s Admissions website for more instructions and the minimum scores for each option under Step 5.

Applying for Funding opportunities

Various funding sources are used to support doctoral students, including faculty grants, program scholarships, graduate assistantships, and in-state and out-of-state fee support. Though optional, applicants are encouraged to apply for the NIH NIDCD Training Grant (“Neurocognitive Approaches to Communication Disorders”) if they are eligible. To apply for the NIDCD Training Grant, submit a one-page letter as supplemental material in the CSDCAS portal. More information available on: NIH NIDCD Training Grant (“Neurocognitive Approaches to Communication Disorders”)

Resources

Different sources will be better equipped to provide information throughout the application process. Some recommendations are provided below:

• Information about CSDCAS and CalState portals are often best directed to the respective customer service contacts.
  • CSDCAS:
    • Customer Service Phone: (617) 612-2030 Open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm EST.
    • Customer Service Email: [email protected]
      
      
  • CalState Apply:
    • Customer Service Phone: 857-304-2087
    • Customer Service Email: [email protected]
      
      
  • SDSU Graduate Admissions can be found here: SDSU Graduate Admissions
    • Their virtual front desk is often a helpful starting point for questions about SDSU’s transcript processing: SDSU Admissions Graduate Contact Page
      
      
  • UCSD Graduate Admissions can be found here: UCSD Graduate Admissions Page
    
    
  • To learn more about the Joint Doctoral Program in Language and Communicative Disorders, please review our website, including the Program Handbook – and/or email the Associate Director, Dr. Irina Potapova ([email protected])
    
    
  • For questions about the application process, contact the Graduate Admissions Coordinator, Ms. Reya Gredonia ([email protected])

Summary of Application Deadlines

• Nov 1 - Part A: CSDCAS Application due, including official transcripts
• Dec 1 - Part B: UCSD Application (with unofficial transcripts) due
• Dec 1 - Part C: Cal State Apply due
• Dec 15 - Official transcripts due to SDSU’s Graduate Admissions
• Dec 15 - English proficiency scores submitted to SDSU’s Graduate Admissions (if applicable)