How to Apply

Applications for the Fall 2027 admission will open August 1, 2026. See below for our application process.

JDP Information Day

The JDP Information Day for the 2026-2027 Admissions Cycle Presentation

Time: Thursday, September 17, 2026, 4 PM-6 PM (Pacific Time).
Hosted by: Joint Doctoral Program Co-Directors
Modality: Zoom Webinar
Registration: JDP Information Day Zoom Webinar Registration
Slides: JDP Information Day Presentation Slides

Application Deadlines

IMPORTANT: Please note that our application process is very complex. To be fully considered by the program, applications must be completed no later than Nov 15, 2026. In order for this to occur, you will need to complete other application sections in advance of our program supplement. Please read the list of dates below carefully, and we strongly recommend that you apply well in advance of any deadlines in order to have time to correct any errors.

You will be required to complete three applications:

1. SDSU Cal State Apply Application
2. SDSU Supplemental Program Application
3. UC San Diego Application

Deadlines For Fall 2027:

• November 1, 2026: Deadline to complete SDSU Cal State Apply Application
  • *Note: Applicants are required to submit the Cal State Apply Application BEFORE they can access the Supplemental Program Application. Within 72 hours of submitting your initial application to Cal State Apply, you will receive an email with a personalized link to Slate to submit your program application.
• Note: Applicants are required to submit the Cal State Apply Application BEFORE they can access the Supplemental Program Application. Approximately within 72 hours of submitting your initial application to Cal State Apply, you will receive an email with a personalized link to Slate to submit your program application.
• November 15, 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific Time): Supplemental Program Application Deadline (including letters of recommendation)
• November 15, 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific Time): UC San Diego Application Deadline
• December 15, 2026: Deadline to Submit Transcripts to SDSU
• Mid-January 2027: Interview Offers Extended (Note: You will be notified by email either way)
• February 16 & 17, 2027: Two-Day ONLINE Interview Process

**The Application Process has Three Steps (to be completed IN ORDER)**

Step 1: Cal State Apply Application

Open: August 1, 2026
*Cannot submit until 10/1/2026
Deadline: November 1, 2026 at 11:59PM PST

IMPORTANT: Applicants are required to submit the Cal State Apply Application BEFORE they can access the Supplemental Program Application. Approximately within 72 hours of submitting your initial application to Cal State Apply, you will receive an email with a personalized link to Slate to submit your program application.
Please follow the “Cal State Apply Graduate Student Application Guide” located on the Cal State Apply website when completing your Cal State Apply application.

Applying to Multiple Programs? There have been significant changes to this year’s application process. If you are interested in applying to additional programs at SDSU, please contact Graduate Admissions admissions@sdsu.edu to determine the correct procedures.

For questions or help using Cal State Apply, visit the Cal State Apply Applicant Help Center. Note: Application Fee Waivers are no longer available. Refer to our Admission FAQs page for more information.

Step 2: Supplemental Program Application

Open: 72 hours from the Cal State Apply submission; please allow for processing time. An email invite will be sent to candidates to complete the Supplemental Program.
Deadline: November 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time (including letters of recommendation)
Submit your Fall 2027 Supplemental Program Application online (you will be provided with a personalized link to Slate to submit your program application approximately within 72 hours of submitting your initial application to Cal State Apply).

Faculty Mentors

Choose faculty mentors to include on your application: Faculty Mentorship
Note: This list is subject to change.

Supplemental Program Application: Required Documents

NOTE: The SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program has decided to discontinue consideration of all scores from the GREs (General and Psychology Subject Test). We will not review any GRE scores for admission to the program.

1. Statement of Purpose
   Limit your statement to no more than 3 pages, single-spaced, 12-point type.
   In your essay, please state your purpose in deciding to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. Describe your scholarly and research areas of interest and your plans for your future profession. You are encouraged to indicate specific research interests and potential JDP faculty mentors with whom you would be interested in working during your graduate training.
   In addition, briefly describe characteristics of your background or training that speak to your likely success in graduate school and in your chosen career path. You do not need to re-state your CV. Instead, highlight the experiences you view as most relevant, formative, or illustrative of your potential and any aspects of your experiences that may not be summarized well on a CV or in a checklist.
2. CV/Resume
3. Unofficial Transcripts (for all colleges/universities attended)
4. Three Letters of Recommendation
   Letters of Recommendation are requested online in the Supplemental Program Application (through Slate) and must be received by the application deadline by November 15, 2026 (11:59 PM PST).
   Recommenders may include:
   Supervisors or managers
   Professors
   Colleagues from professional organizations
   Colleagues from charitable agencies
   No friends or relatives, please.
5. Current or Planned Coursework Form (if applicable)
   Current or Planned Coursework Form
   Supplemental Program Contact Information
   Program-Related Questions? For any questions about our program or the Supplemental Program Application that cannot be answered on our website, you may contact us at psycjdp@sdsu.edu.
6. 
   SUBMITTING OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS to SDSU
   Deadline: December 15, 2026
   Please refer to the SDSU Graduate Admissions website for general admission requirements and how to submit official transcripts.
   
   Note: If mailing official transcripts, please make sure you include the full zip code, including the additional four digits (92182-8225) to ensure your transcripts are received by the SDSU Graduate Admissions office.
   
   International students completing a degree at an institution outside the United States should review and follow the International Graduate Steps to Apply.
   For questions about Cal State Apply or general admission documents (e.g. transcripts, TOEFL scores, etc.), contact the Graduate Admissions Office at (619) 594-6336 or admissions@sdsu.edu. International applicants may contact the International Recruitment Office at (619) 594-1847 or intladmission@sdsu.edu.

Step 3: UC San Diego Application- (UC San Diego)

Opens: October 1, 2026
Deadline: November 15, 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific Time)

Note: The UC San Diego application fee will be waived.
Submit an application to UC San Diego, the application link is: https://gradapply.ucsd.edu

• Here are some tips when completing this application:
  
  • Please use the same exact name that you used on your Cal State Apply application to SDSU, in order to make sure your records are matched correctly. To check this, you can log in to your my.SDSU portal.
    
  • Ensure you select the correct program – Clinical Psychology (JDP) CY75.
    
  • If you are a California resident, please be sure to indicate that in your application.
    
  • There should be a fee waiver applied to any applicants applying to the Clinical Psychology (JDP) CY75 program.
    
• Submission of all supporting documents:
  
• Unofficial Transcripts (for all colleges/universities attended)
  
  • Official Transcripts will be required if your application is moved forward in the admissions process.
    
• Unofficial Test Scores (for Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Duolingo English Test (DET), if required.
  
  • Official Transcripts will be required if your application is moved forward in the admissions process.
    
• CV/Resume
  
• Statement of Purpose- not required for UC San Diego application; this is to be submitted in the SDSU application Step 2: SDSU Supplemental Program Application
• Three Letters of Recommendation- not required for UC San Diego application, this is to be submitted in the SDSU application Step 2: SDSU Supplemental Program Application.
• For questions about UC San Diego general admission documents (e.g. transcripts, TOEFL scores, etc.), contact the Graduate Admissions Office at gradadmissions@ucsd.edu.

Image Description

An infographic titled SDSU/UC SAN DIEGO JOINT DOCTORAL PROGRAM (JDP) CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY – FALL 2027 ADMISSIONS WORKFLOW, subtitled “Follow the steps in order. All applications and recommendation letters must be received by the deadlines.”

The flowchart outlines a six-step sequential admissions timeline connected by downward arrows:

Information Day

• Details: September 17th, 2026 (4–6 PM PST), Webinar

Step 1: Cal State Apply Application

• Available: August 1, 2026 (calstate.edu/apply)
• Submission Opens: October 1, 2026
• Final Deadline: November 1, 2026, 11:59 PM PT
• Note: After submission, allow up to 72 hours to receive the link to the JDP Supplemental Application.

Step 2: JDP SDSU Supplemental Program Application

• Available: ~72 hours after Cal State Apply submission
• Deadline: November 15, 2026, 11:59 PM PT
• Submission Platform: Online via Slate
• Required Documents: Statement of Purpose, CV/Resume, transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation, and coursework form.

Step 3: UC San Diego Application

• Submission Opens: October 1, 2026
• Deadline: November 15, 2026, 11:59 PM PST
• Submission Platform: Online at gradapply.ucsd.edu (Program Code CY 75)
• Requirements: Submit unofficial transcripts and CV/Resume only.
• Fee: Application fee waived.

Official Transcripts to SDSU

• Deadline: December 15, 2026
• Instructions: Submit official transcripts directly to SDSU Graduate Admissions.

Interview Process

• Mid-January 2027: Interview offers extended (applicants notified by email either way).
• February 16 & 17, 2027: Two-day ONLINE interview process.