Applications for the Fall 2026 admission will open October 1, 2025. See below for our application process.

JDP Information Day

Our program is hosting an online information session for prospective applicants. The JDP Co-Directors, Dr. V. Robin Weersing and Dr. David J. Moore, will give a general overview of our program and the application process.

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 from 4:00-5:30PM PST

Registration link: https://SDSU.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NmTAU0OMSrGqWhQrOA3XZg

Application Deadlines

IMPORTANT: Please note that our application process is very complex. To be fully considered by the program, BOTH applications must be completed no later than Nov 3, 2025. 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.

Deadlines For Fall 2026:

  • October 31, 2025: Recommended 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.
  • November 3, 2025 (11:59 PM Pacific Time): Cal State Apply* AND Supplemental Program Application Deadline (including letters of recommendation)
  • December 15, 2025: Deadline to Submit Transcripts to SDSU
  • Mid-January 2026: Interview Offers Extended (Note: You will be notified by email either way)
  • February 9 & 10, 2026: Two-Day ONLINE Interview Process

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

Step 1: Cal State Apply Application

IMPORTANT: Applicants are required to submit the Cal State Apply Application BEFORE they can access the Supplemental Program Application (deadline Monday, November 3, 2025 at 11:59PM PST). 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

Deadline

  • November 3, 2025, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time (including letters of recommendation)

Submit 

  • Submit your Fall 2026 Supplemental Program Application online (you will be provided with a personalized link to Slate to submit your program application 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 3, 2025 (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)

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.

SUBMITTING OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

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.

***Only for applicants invited for an interview***

Step 3: UC San Diego Application

For applicants invited for an interview, you will be asked to submit a complete application (including resubmitting letters of recommendation) to UC San Diego. More details to follow. 

Note: The UC San Diego application fee will be waived.