How to Apply

Applications for Fall 2025 admission are now closed! Applications for the Fall 2026 admission will open October 1, 2025.

See below for information about the Fall 2025 application cycle.

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JDP Information Day

The JDP Information Day was held on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

For those of you who were unable to attend, see below for a copy of the presentation slides for your reference.

JDP Information Day Presentation – Fall 2025 Admission

Application Deadlines

Deadlines For Fall 2025:

• November 1, 2024 (11:59 PM Eastern Time): Supplemental Program Application Deadline (including letters of recommendation)
• December 1, 2024: Cal State Apply Application Deadline
• December 15, 2024: Deadline to Submit Transcripts to SDSU
• Mid-January 2025: Interview Offers Extended (Note: You will be notified by email either way)
• February 3 & 4, 2025: Two-Day ONLINE Interview Process

The Application Process has two Steps:

• The Supplemental Program and the Cal State Apply applications may be filled out concurrently.
• DO NOT send any application materials to UC San Diego at this time. Only students who are admitted to the Joint Doctoral Program must submit a UC San Diego application. After formal notification from SDSU, students will receive material from UC San Diego.

Step 1: Supplemental Program Application

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. Diversity Essay [NEW]

• Please limit your statement to no more than 1 page, single-spaced, 12-point type.
• Describe how your background and experiences demonstrate your ability to engage with issues of diversity and inclusion and how this might be reflected in your graduate school career and beyond. Your essay should (a) describe any contributions to diversity through research, clinical and/or service and leadership activities and (b) highlight evidence of the impact of your contributions including any scientific or community products and accomplishments. 

3. CV/Resume

4. Unofficial Transcripts (for all colleges/universities attended)

5. Three Letters of Recommendation

Letters of Recommendation are requested online in the Supplemental Program Application (through Interfolio) and must be received by the application deadline on November 1, 2024 (11:59 PM EST).

Note: Applicants can submit their Supplemental Program Application prior to receiving all Letters of Recommendation. Letters will continue to be received even after the application has been submitted.

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.

Interested in also applying to the SDSU Psychology Masters Program? You must submit a separate online Interfolio application to their Department of Psychology Master’s Program.

Having Technical Difficulties? For help signing up, accessing your Interfolio account, or submitting your application, please visit the help and support section or get in touch via email at help@interfolio.com or phone at (877) 997-8807.

Step 2: Cal State Apply 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? Applicants are only allowed to select one major per Cal State Apply application. If you wish to apply to additional programs, you can do so by simply completing a Supplementary Program application for each program. If the other program does not have a Supplemental Program application and only uses the Cal State Apply application to review applications, go ahead and select that program on your Cal State Apply application and just submit a Supplemental Program application (through Interfolio) for our program. 

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.

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.