Application

Please read the following for instructions on how to apply for admission to the Joint Doctoral Program in Language and Communicative Disorders (JDP-LCD). Importantly, the GRE is no longer required for admission. This application period is to join the program in Fall 2025.  

Fall 2025 Application Overview

Applications for this program include a two-step process.

First, you must apply generally to the University via the CalState Apply application, which is open starting October 1. 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 Step 1, below, for more information.

Second, you must apply to the program via the supplemental CSDCAS application, which is open starting October 1. The deadline to submit is January 12. You will follow the status of this application via your CSDCAS account. Deadline for submissions of all application materials, including letters of recommendation, transcripts, and TOEFL scores is January 12. Hard copies must be postmarked by January 12. CSDCAS application fees and fee waivers are detailed here. See Step 2, below, for more information.

Note that processing of the two steps is simultaneous but separate. Follow instructions provided throughout the application process to set up both your my.SDSU account and CSDCAS account.

Finally, please note that transcripts are required by CSDCAS (Step 2 of the application process) and by San Diego State University Graduate Admissions. SDSU requires transcripts by December 15th (hard copies must be postmarked by December 15). See the Transcripts section, below, for more details. 

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. For a summary of application deadlines, please scroll to the bottom of this page.

Admission decisions are made in March, and email notifications of admission decisions are sent by April 1.

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

The CalState Apply application must be completed prior to the CSDCAS application (Step 2). Upon completion, SDSU will email you a Student ID # in 10-15 business days with directions on how to set up your my.SDSU account.  If you already have an SDSU Student ID (previously known as Red IDs), you will continue to use this same number.  You will need to put this SDSU Student ID# on your CSDCAS Supplemental Application.

Via my.SDSU, you will be able to follow the processing of your application by Graduate Admissions.  They will send email updates every 2 weeks to students with incomplete files.

Unless you are applying to another CSU program that does not require a supplemental application (i.e., our Step 2), you do not have to complete the Transcript Information, Experiences, and Achievements sections of CalState Apply – these items will be addressed in the supplemental CSDCAS application for our program.

Contact information for questions about the CalState Apply Portal:
         Customer Service Phone:  857-304-2087
         Customer Service Email: [email protected]

Step 2: Submit the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized (CSDCAS) Application  by January 12th, 8:59 p.m., PST

Please note the following instructions to submit all components by the deadline.

• Upload the Professional Statement and Resume to the online application.
  • The Professional Statement should be no more than 3 pages, double spaced.
  • Please see below for the Professional Statement Prompt
• Mail official transcripts to CSDCAS. 
  • Instructions for submission are on the CSDCAS website.
  • A separate set of transcripts is required for SDSU Graduate Admissions; see below.
• Provide three letters of recommendation. 
  • Letters from former professors are preferred but not mandatory.

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:

Please provide a statement that describes your academic preparation, scholarly/research interests, and professional goals. Specifically, please address the following issues:

• 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.).
• Please 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 professional 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 you application!

Contact information for questions about the CSDCAS portal:
          Customer Service Phone:  (617) 612-2030 Open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm EST.
          Customer Service E-Mail: [email protected]

Transcripts

• For this program, you are required to submit transcripts to both CSDCAS (by January 12) and SDSU Graduate Admissions (by December 15)
  • Wait to receive your SDSU Student ID before submitting transcripts to Graduate Admissions.
  • To submit transcripts to SDSU Graduate Admissions, submit one set of official transcripts, hard copy or electronic, from all institutions attended 
    • Must be received by Graduate Admissions or postmarked by December 15th
    • Hard copy instructions
      • Mail hard copy to:
        Graduate Admissions Document Processing Unit
        San Diego State University
        5500 Campanile Drive
        San Diego, CA 92182-8225
    • Electronic copy instructions
      • If your school offers this option when requesting transcripts, choose SDSU from the pulldown menu.  
      • 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.

• Submit transcripts for those courses completed and graded.  Do not wait until Fall grades are posted to request transcripts if doing so will cause you to miss the Dec 15 deadline. 
  • Documents submitted or postmarked after Dec 15 will not be processed.  If admitted, you will be required to submit your final transcript during your first semester at SDSU.
• Applicants who received their undergraduate degree from SDSU do not need to submit an SDSU transcript, as SDSU Graduate Admissions can access those transcripts electronically. If you attended any other universities or junior colleges and these grades appear on your SDSU transcript, then you do not need to submit transcripts for those schools. For all other students, you must submit transcripts from all schools attended even if the grades appear on your degree transcript. 
  • SDSU transcripts and all other transcripts DO need to be submitted to CSDCAS by all applicants.

• 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).

SDSU & Proof of English Proficiency to SDSU (if necessary)

• 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.
• The University will accept TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or a DuoLingo English Test score as proof of English proficiency.
  • Please see SDSU’s Admissions website for more instructions and the minimum scores for each option under Step 5.
  • Should you choose to provide TOEFL scores, contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) http://www.ets.org and request that your TOEFL scores be sent to San Diego State University electronically. Institution Code: 4682. Note that TOEFL scores expire after 2 years. 

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 one or both of the following funding sources. Please use the links below to learn more about eligibility and supplemental application materials.

• NIH NIDCD Training Grant (“Neurocognitive Approaches to Communication Disorders”)

GPA Calculator

For assistance in calculating your GPA, please use this calculator (xlsx).

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Where to find more information:

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

• Information about CalState Apply and CSDCAS portals are often best directed to the respective customer service contacts (provided above)
• Information regarding SDSU Graduate Admissions can be found here: https://admissions.sdsu.edu/graduate
• To learn more about the Joint Doctoral Program in Language and Communicative Disorders, please review this website-including the Student Handbook – and/or email the Associate Director, Dr. Irina Potapova ([email protected])
• For questions about the application process, please contact the Graduate Admissions Coordinator, Ms. Janet Park at (619) 594-7746 or via email ([email protected]).

Summary of Application Deadlines

• Dec 1 - Step 1: Cal State Apply due
• Dec 15 - Transcripts due to SDSU
• Jan 12 - Step 2: CSDCAS Application due, with transcripts sent to CSDCAS