Application Instructions

Fall 2024 Application Guidelines

Students are admitted only in the Fall.

Graduate admissions is a 2-step process. First, you must apply generally to the University via the CalState Apply application by December 15.   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.  Second, you must apply to the individual department via the supplemental CSDCAS application by January 12.  You will follow the status of this application via CSDCAS.  Processing of the 2 steps is simultaneous but separate.  You will be sent instructions for setting up your my.SDSU and CSDCAS accounts after submitting your applications.

The CalState Apply online application is open October 1 – December 15. The first step in the application process is to submit the University CalState Apply application by December 15. The CSDCAS application is open October 1 – January 12.  Deadline for submission of all application materials, including letters of recommendation, transcripts, and TOEFL scores  is January 12.  Hard copies must be postmarked by January 12.

Begin the process early to assure consideration of your application. Admission decisions are made in March. Email notifications of admission decisions are sent by April 1.

Step 1:  Submit the CalState Apply Online Application by December 15th

NOTE: The CalState Apply application must be completed first. Upon completion, SDSU will e-mail you a Student ID # in 10-15 business days and directions on how to set up your my.SDSU account.  If you already have an SDSU Student ID (previously known as RedIDs), you will continue to use this same number.  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.

You will need to put this SDSU Student ID # on your CSDCAS Supplemental Application.

NOTE: Unless you are applying to another CSU program that does not require a supplemental application, you do not have to complete the Transcript Information, Experiences, and Achievements sections of CalState Apply as those items will be addressed in the supplemental CSDCAS application.

Contact information for questions about the CalState Apply Portal;

Customer Service Phone:  857-304-2087

         Customer Service Email: CalStateApply@liaisoncas.com

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

Please note the following instructions:

• 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 and information regarding transcripts is summarized below.
• Provide three letters of recommendation.  Letters from former professors are preferred but not mandatory.  Letters, like all components of this application, are due by January 12.
• You will be able to follow the status of your application through your CSDCAS account to see when letters of recommendation are received.

Professional Statement Prompt:

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

• What would you like to study/research in your graduate program?
• Please specify any emphases or specializations if the program to which you are applying offers or requires applicants to select one of these.
• Where would you ideally like to be professionally in 10 to 15 years?
• Please indicate your fit with and potential to succeed in the doctoral program to which you are applying. What sets you apart as a prospective graduate student and potential contributor to the profession?
• Include name(s) of any faculty members you have contacted or would like to work with.
  In addressing these issues, please have in mind that this is your professional statement rather than a creative writing or personal reflection exercise; hence, make it as focused and concise as possible.

Contact information for questions about the CSDCAS portal:
          Customer Service Phone:  (617) 612-2030 Open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm EST.
          Customer Service E-Mail: csdcasinfo@csdcas.org

Additional information about required application components

Transcripts

• For this program, you are required to both submit transcripts via CSDCAS (see above) and directly to SDSU’s Graduate Admissions
• To submit transcripts to SDSU’s 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 January 12th
  • Hard copy instructions
    • Mail hard copy to:
      Graduate Admissions Document Processing Unit
      San Diego State University
      5500 Campanile Drive
      San Diego, CA 92182-8225

• OR send Electronic Copy
  •   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:  TranscriptsForSDSU@sdsu.edu.  Electronic transcripts MUST come directly from your school.  Electronic transcripts sent by students will not be accepted.NOTE: Do not submit transcripts to Graduate Admissions prior to submitting the CalState Apply online application and receiving your SDSU Student ID, which indicates that graduate admissions has set up your electronic file.

• NOTE: 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 Jan 12 deadline.  Documents submitted or postmarked after Jan 12 will not be processed.  If admitted, you will be required to submit your final transcript during your first semester at SDSU.

• • NOTE: Students 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.

• NOTE: INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTS–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:  https://admissions.sdsu.edu/international/graduate/graduate_country_requirements

• CHINESE INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTS:  Degrees from China must also be verified by the China Academic Degrees & Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC).

Proof of English Proficiency to SDSU (if Necessary)

• The GRE is no longer required,  however, 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 Enrollment Services by January 12th. 
  • 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 the Training Grant

• Though optional, doctoral program applicants are also encouraged to apply to our NIH-funded training grant.
• Learn more about this program and how to apply here:  Neurocognitive Approaches to Communication Disorders.

GPA Calculator

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