How to Apply

Important Dates for Fall 2026

Please submit your Cal State Apply application prior to sending in official transcripts.

Application Instructions

Step 1: Submit Cal State Apply Application to SDSU

SDSU uses the California State University common admission application through the Cal State Apply website. Complete the first steps through the SDSU Graduate Admissions Office.

Step 2: Submit Slate Application to Program

Within 72 hours of submitting your Cal State Apply application, you will receive an email containing a personalized link to Slate, where you must complete your program application.

Please ensure that all required program-specific documents listed below are prepared in advance and ready to upload to your Slate application.

• Application Guide: Slate Applicant User Guide

California Clear Credential

Hold a valid California Clear Credential.

Verification of Basic Skills Requirement

Basic skills requirement is met with a bachelor's degree.

Verification of Experience

A minimum of 5 years of successful, full-time experience in a public school, nonpublic school, or private school of equivalent status located in California or another state, or a combination of experience earned in California and another state. This experience may be teaching, pupil personnel work, librarianship, health services, clinical or rehabilitative services, or a combination of teaching and school services. (Substitute teaching does not apply.)

Verification of experience must be on the district or employing agency letterhead and signed by the superintendent, assistant superintendent, director of personnel, or director of human resources. School or district personnel other than the applicant must verify all experience. See an example: Verification of Experience Sample.

Note: To earn the credential, you must have a full 5 years of teaching experience at the time you finish the program.

Statement of Leadership Philosophy

Write a Statement of Leadership Philosophy, 1-2 pages, addressing your beliefs and values about:

• Leadership
• Curriculum and instruction
• Students
• Teachers
• Parents
• Other stakeholders

Resume/CV

Prepare a resume or Curriculum Vitae to add to your application, which will include your education and employment history as well as any academic honors, awards, scholarships, and publications. Be sure to include leadership activities such as department chair, leadership team member, etc.

Letters of Recommendation

Contact 2 individuals who you have interacted with both academically and/or professionally and would be able to write a letter of recommendation for you. One of the recommenders must be an immediate supervisor.

Please collect names and email addresses so you are ready to request these letters in the Interfolio program application. Recommenders will submit their recommendations directly into the online program application.

Self Assessment

Please complete this in the program application.

Step 3: Submit Official Transcripts

After you submit your Cal State Apply application, send Official Transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended to SDSU. Continue to monitor your email account for correspondence from SDSU.

Step 4: Monitor my.SDSU

Be sure to follow all instructions provided by SDSU, particularly those related to setting up your my.SDSU account. Once your account is active, regularly monitor your my.SDSU Application To-Do List for any items or requests issued by Graduate Admissions. Prompt attention to these items is essential to avoid delays in the processing of your application.

Get in Touch

General Questions & Advising

Alejandro Gonzalez Ogeda, Advisor, [email protected]

Cal State Apply Application Help

[email protected]

NOTICE TO STUDENTS REGARDING PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION

California State University programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the  student to meet California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the California State University and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.

The California State University has not determined whether its programs meet other states’ educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students enrolled in a California State University program who are planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether they will meet their state’s requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).