College of Graduate Studies

Organization and Administration

San Diego State University’s College of Graduate Studies promotes holistic excellence in graduate programs and advocates for the long-term success of our graduate students. We collaborate with SDSU stakeholders and the broader community, maintain robust frameworks, and empower faculty and staff to effectively administer their graduate programs and uphold academic standards.

The College of Graduate Studies is under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Provost whose administrative officer is the Dean of Graduate Studies. In coordination with the Graduate Council, the division has responsibility for all graduate curricula and graduate study policy matters at San Diego State University. The Dean of Graduate Studies serves as chair of the Graduate Council.

The College of Graduate Studies, in conjunction with Graduate Admissions, admits all post-baccalaureate and graduate students to the university. Graduate Studies authorizes graduate degree curricula, and evaluates and processes students for graduation. The College of Graduate Studies also determines students’ eligibility to continue in such curricula and, in the cases of unsatisfactory performance, administrates withdrawal from graduate programs and the university.

The Dean of the College of Graduate Studies is the appropriate university authority for the administration of all matters related to graduate admissions, graduate student academic status, and graduate degree curricula, minimum requirements for which are specified in Section 40510 of the California Code of Regulations.

Association Membership

San Diego State University is a member of the Western Association of Graduate Schools and the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States.

Degrees Offered

All master’s degrees are conferred by the trustees of The California State University upon recommendation of the faculty of San Diego State University. These degree programs provide instruction for graduate students in the liberal arts and sciences, in applied fields, and in professions such as teaching.

Doctor of Philosophy degrees and a professional doctorate (Au.D.) degree are awarded jointly by the Board of Regents of the University of California and the Board of Trustees of The California State University in the names of San Diego State University and the cooperating University of California campus. In Education, degrees are awarded jointly by the Board of Trustees of The California State University and the Board of Fellows of Claremont Graduate University. The Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D.) in educational leadership, the Doctor of Public Health, the Doctor of Nursing Practice, and the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) are awarded by the Board of Trustees of The California State University. A list of all doctoral degrees can be found under Award of Degree in the Doctoral Requirements section.

Graduate Admission Categories

Applicants seeking admission to graduate study at San Diego State University must apply and be accepted in one of the following categories:

Post-Baccalaureate Standing (Unclassified). Exchange students (non-foreign), visitors from other CSU campuses, and other transitory students may be admitted for one semester as unclassified graduate students; or

Post-Baccalaureate Standing (Conditionally Classified for Credential, and Advanced Certificate programs). This includes students who have been admitted to a professional education credential or an advanced certificate program, but have deficiencies for classified admission. Classified standing will be recommended by the program’s graduate advisor  or doctoral program director when additional preparation is completed. Admission conditions typically include GPA thresholds and/or completion of key courses (up to a maximum of 18 units and within one academic year).

Post-Baccalaureate Standing (Classified). This includes students enrolled in a credential (only) or advanced certificate (only) program with no remaining conditions based on admission deficiencies.

Graduate Standing (Conditionally Classified). Applicants may be admitted to a graduate degree program in this category if deficiencies may be remedied by additional preparation, as determined by appropriate campus authority. Classified standing will be recommended by the program’s graduate advisor or doctoral director when specific additional preparation is completed. Admission conditions typically include GPA thresholds and/or completion of key courses (up to a maximum of 18 units and within one academic year).

Graduate Standing (Classified). This includes students enrolled in a graduate degree program with no remaining conditions based on admission deficiencies. 

Program, university, and other CSU admissions requirements are subject to change as policies are revised and laws are amended. The CSU website http://www.calstate.edu and the CSU admissions portal http://www.calstate.edu/apply are good sources for the most up-to-date information. For SDSU graduate admission procedures, see the Admission and Registration  section of this catalog.

Graduate Information

Within the College of Graduate Studies is the administrative unit responsible for post-baccalaureate and graduate study at San Diego State University. The College of Graduate Studies oversees all graduate programming offered in the university. The  unit supports nearly 6,300 students in over 200 master’s, doctoral, and advanced certificate programs across the arts, business, education, engineering, humanities, sciences,  social sciences, and applied health fields. In addition to academic oversight, the College of Graduate Studies provides support for a number of competitive fellowship programs, analyzes graduate data and submits survey reports to national organizations, acts as a liaison across SDSU campus units and partner campuses, and serves as the general point of contact from admissions to degree conferral.

The Graduate Council is a standing committee of the University Senate with representatives from the academic colleges and is chaired by the Dean of Graduate Studies. The council’s responsibilities are broadly defined and include the development, consultation, and implementation of university-wide policies related to graduate studies, curriculum, student affairs, and graduate student scholarship.

The Dean of Graduate Studies is the chief administrative officer of the division and serves as chair of the Graduate Council. The Dean of Graduate Studies  has general responsibility for implementing the policies of the Graduate Council and for the development, improvement, and administration of all post-baccalaureate study.

Graduate Study at San Diego State University

The size and scope of graduate studies at San Diego State University has increased significantly since graduate degrees were first offered at what was then San Diego State College in the 1950s. SDSU faculty embrace the necessarily close relationship between excellence in faculty research, program outcomes, student research, and teaching. Since the early 1970s, graduate study has steadily grown over a wide range of academic and professional disciplines to become an integral part of the institution’s central mission. SDSU offers master’s degrees that are entry-level requirements or terminal degrees in many fields of study, as well as numerous Ph.D. programs. In addition to Ph.D. degrees issued in partnership with other institutions, SDSU offers professional doctoral degrees in Audiology (Au.D., joint with UC San Diego), Educational Leadership (Ed.D.), Public Health (DrPH),Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP),  and Physical Therapy (DPT). Graduate programming is also available to meet state credentialing requirements and provide advanced certificates in many disciplines, particularly for careers in education.

Graduate studies at San Diego State University continually evolve in response to new local and global challenges and career opportunities. The faculty who support graduate studies maintain strong externally funded research programs in excess of $190 million annually. The university, a Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education (ACE) R1 institution, is recognized nationally as a hub of entrepreneurship, innovation, and invention. SDSU is also one of the most ethnically, racially, and socioeconomically diverse universities in the United States. It is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution  (HSI) and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) by the U.S. Department of Education. San Diego State University provides a dynamic and intellectually challenging environment for academic and professional opportunity.

Graduate Student Employment

Graduate student employment includes classification as a graduate Teaching Associate (TA), Graduate Assistant (GA), Instructional Student Assistant (ISA), Student Assistant (SA), and Research Assistant (RA).

Teaching Associates

Appointments as teaching associates, known more commonly as TAs, provide students the opportunity to participate directly in the teaching activities of the university. Under the supervision of senior faculty, TAs provide direct instruction to undergraduate students, primarily at the lower division level.

Appointments as TAs are available to qualified graduate students in all doctoral programs and many master’s programs. TAs must be enrolled, degree-seeking program and in good standing. Appointments may be for a period of either one semester or one academic year. Reappointment or continuation is dependent on satisfactory academic performance, departmental need, and satisfactory teaching performance. Information may be obtained from the program’s graduate advisor, or doctoral director, or the head of the department or school in which the course is taught. For more information, visit https://grad.sdsu.edu/current-students/graduate-student-employment.

Graduate Assistants

Graduate assistants (GA) provide instructionally related services to undergraduate students or may be assigned duties that directly support faculty research activities. Graduate assistants are available in most San Diego State University departments and schools. GAsmust be enrolled, in a degree-seeking program and in good standing.

Appointments may be for a period of either one semester or one academic year. Reappointment or continuation is dependent on continued enrollment, satisfactory academic performance, departmental need and satisfactory work performance. Information concerning an appointment as a GA may be obtained from the head of the department, school, or college in which the applicant wishes to obtain the advanced degree.

For more information, visit https://grad.sdsu.edu/current-students/graduate-student-employment.

Instructional Student Assistants (ISA)

Graduate students are eligible for employment as Instructional Student Assistants (ISAs) who perform a wide variety of tasks supporting faculty and staff across the university. ISAs are paid by the hour and are restricted to assignments not to exceed 20 hours per week. Information concerning an appointment as an ISA  may be obtained from the head of the department, school, or college in which the applicant wishes to obtain the advanced degree. Open positions are posted on Handshake, which requires an account and login for access. Additional support may be available in the Office of Career Services located in Student Services East, Room 1200.

Student Assistants (SA)

Student assistants (SAs) work under direct supervision performing a range of non-instructional duties that require the use of manual, clerical, public contact, and/or analytical skills. SAs are paid by the hour and are restricted to assignments not to exceed 20 hours per week. Information concerning an appointment as a student assistant may be obtained from the unit overseeing the work. SAsStudent assistants must be enrolled, in a degree-seeking program, and in good standing.

Research Assistants (RA through SDSU Research Foundation)

Some graduate students obtain part-time employment as Research Assistants (RAs). RAs work directly with faculty in a laboratory or other research facility in the health, physical, and social sciences. Although research assistants are employees of the SDSU Research Foundation, they are generally hired directly by faculty members seeking assistance for specific research programs. Students may inquire about such appointments through the appropriate faculty in their program, the chair or director of the respective department. Further information may also be available on faculty and department websites. All open positions are listed on SDSURF’s website under career opportunities https://careers-sdsurf.icims.com/jobs/intro?hashed=-435770521.

Scholarships and Fellowships

The College of Graduate Studies serves as the campus coordinator for a number of competitive internal fellowship programs and others that are external programs supported by the California State University (CSU) system.

California Pre-Doctoral Program

The California Pre-Doctoral Program is designed to increase the pool of potential California State University faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of CSU students who have experienced economic and educational disadvantages. The program supports upper division undergraduate students, and current (non-Ph.D.) graduate students. Students chosen for this award are designated Sally Casanova Scholars. Recipients receive direct guidance from CSU faculty members and receive funding for travel, development (broadly defined), and summer research experience (at any U.S. major research university). For more information, contact the College of Graduate Studies or visit https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/faculty-staff/predoc.

Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program

The goal of the California State University Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP) is to increase the number of faculty with the qualifications, motivation, and skills needed to teach the diverse students of the CSU.

CDIP prepares promising doctoral students for CSU faculty positions by providing financial support, mentorship by CSU faculty and professional development and grant resources. Students who obtain a loan through this program may have a portion of it forgiven if they obtain a CSU faculty position. For more information, contact the College of Graduate Studies or visit https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/faculty-staff/cdip.

Additional SDSU Fellowships, Scholarships, and Financial Aid Opportunities

Many types of financial support are available to San Diego State University graduate students. The College of Graduate Studies offers a variety of scholarships and fellowships, some initiated by faculty and others by students. For more information, contact the College of Graduate Studies or visit https://grad.sdsu.edu/financial-support. Contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships or visit https://sacd.sdsu.edu/financial-aid to learn about scholarships and financial aid opportunities offered outside of the College of Graduate Studies.

Graduate Degree Programs through SDSU Global Campus

Most graduate degree programs are state-supported (offered by the main campus or Imperial Valley Campus faculty and associated Registrar). San Diego State University also offers self-support degree programs through SDSU Global Campus. Global Campus degree programs are structured in the same way as state-supported programs, requiring a formal admission process and completion of an approved program of study. Only a limited number of units taken outside of matriculation may be applied to a degree program (see the Catalog sections Requirements for Master’s Degrees and University Policies).

Graduate-level Courses through SDSU Global Campus

Individuals who are not active SDSU students may enroll in degree-eligible coursework through Global Campus in two ways. When there are open seats in a state-supported course, individuals with the necessary prerequisites may be approved for enrollment  through SDSU Global Campus Open University. Individuals with the necessary prerequisites may also be approved for enrollment in self-support Global Campus Special Session courses, if there are open seats.

Individuals who complete graduate coursework prior to program admission must be aware that only a limited number of units taken outside of matriculation may be applied to a degree program (see the Requirements for Master’s Degrees and University Policies Catalog chapters). For a state-support degree program, “non-matriculated status” includes all SDSU Global Campus courses (regardless of when they were taken), plus SDSU Open University courses taken before the student started the program, plus transfer courses from other institutions.

Fees for SDSU Global Campus programs and courses (whether Open University or self-supported SDSU Global Campus) differ from fees for state-supported San Diego State University courses. For more information, visit https://ces.sdsu.edu/.

Veterans and Graduate Study

San Diego State University is approved to train veterans under the G.I. Bill. Veterans who are interested in graduate work should visit the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center located in Student Services West for information and counseling regarding veterans’ benefits. Veteran students and potential applicants may also call 619-594-5813 or visit http://www.sdsu.edu/veterans for more information.