How to Apply

The admissions cycle for Fall 2024 is now CLOSED! 

Applications for the next admissions cycle (Fall 2025) will be accepted starting October 1, 2024. Deadlines for the next admissions cycle will be updated by the end of August 2024. See below for this year’s application deadlines as a reference. Thank you!

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JDP Information Day

Our program held an online information session for prospective applicants on Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 9:00-10:30AM PST. For anyone who was unable to attend, we have posted a copy of the presentation slides below. Thank you!

JDP Information Day Presentation for Fall 2024 Admission

Application Deadlines

Deadlines For Fall 2024:

• November 15, 2023 (11:59 PM EST): Supplemental Program Application Deadline (including letters of recommendation)
• December 1, 2023: Cal State Apply Application Deadline
• January 2024 (check SDSU account for specific dates): Deadline to Submit Transcripts to SDSU
• Mid-January 2024: Interview Offers Extended (Note: You will be notified by email either way)
• February 5 & 6, 2024: 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 waive consideration of all scores from the GREs (General and Psychology Subject Test) for the 2023-2024 application cycle (for entry to the doctoral program in Fall 2024). 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, state your purpose in deciding to pursue a Ph.D. 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 your chosen career path. You do not need to restate 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.
• In addition, we are interested in learning about any challenges or adversities you have overcome during your academic journey. Further, describe any aspects of your personal or professional experiences that demonstrate your commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Examples include advocacy, community service with diverse populations, and research examining inequities.

2. CV/Resume

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

4. Three Letters of Recommendation

(requested through the online Supplemental Program Application and received by the application deadline: November 15, 2023)

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

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.

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.

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. 

Supporting Information Section: Our Selection Committee ONLY reviews information included in the Supplemental Program application; therefore, we recommend that you complete this section as follows (this only applies when you select our program “Clinical Psychology San Diego Graduate,” on your Cal State Apply application).

Experiences
Select “I Am Not Adding Any Experiences”

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.

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) 594-6336 or intladmission@sdsu.edu.