How to Apply

Important Dates for Fall 2026

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.

Selecting Your Program in Cal State Apply

Please select one of the program options below in Cal State Apply under the Add Program tab. For detailed information about each option, please contact the program advisor, Dr. Meredith Vaughn ([email protected]).

Be sure to choose your degree type as Graduate and choose to apply to one of these program names:

• Mathematics and Science Education (Hybrid)
• Mathematics and Science Education (MA) with Multiple Subject (Preliminary) Credential (Hybrid)
• Mathematics and Science Education (MA) with Multiple Subject - Bilingual (Preliminary) Credential (Hybrid)
• Mathematics and Science Education (MA) with Single Subject (Preliminary) Credential (Hybrid)
• Mathematics and Science Education (MA) with Single Subject - Bilingual (Preliminary) Credential (Hybrid)

Items Needed to Complete the Cal State Apply Application

Please gather the items below and have them ready to upload to the Cal State Apply application in the Program Materials box/quadrant:

Statement of Purpose

What are your immediate and long-term goals in mathematics/science teaching and learning, and how do you hope that this program will further those goals? (Do not exceed 2 double-spaced pages.)

We recommend uploading the document in PDF format.

Letter of Recommendation

Contact 1 individual with whom you have interacted professionally and who can write a letter of recommendation for you.

Enter the recommenders name and email address in to the Cal State Apply application, in the Program Materials box, under the "Recommendations" tab.  Recommenders will submit their letters directly into the Cal State Apply Application.

Recommendations in the Cal State Apply application:

Within the application, you will "make a request" to one of your recommenders by entering their name and email address.  The system will email them and ask them to accept writing a letter, and then ask them to upload that letter to your application.  Please note that there are 3 stages these requests go through in the application system:

1. Requested - the stage when you first make the request, and the email is sent.
2. Accepted - the stage when your recommender agrees to write the letter for you, but no letter is uploaded yet.
3. Completed - when the letter has been uploaded to your application.

For us to be able to view your letter, your requests have to be in the "completed" category.  If they only show as "accepted," no letter is present, and you need to follow up with your recommender to have their letter completed.

Step 2: 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 3: 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.

Step 4: Optional Preliminary Credential Application

If you plan to complete the Combined Program (M.A. + Preliminary Credential), you will need to submit additional credential application materials outside of Cal State Apply. Please visit the Credential Program Admissions website for full details about these requirements (under the "Start Early" heading). 

After you submit your Cal State Apply application, email [email protected] to request the link to the additional Preliminary Credential Application Google Form.

If you are applying to the M.A. program only, this additional application is not required.

Get in Touch

Application Process Questions

• [email protected] 

Program Questions

• Meredith Vaughn, Graduate Advisor
• [email protected]