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. Ixchel Samson at [email protected]. 

• Education - Reading Education
• Education - Reading Education (MA) with Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist (RLLSC) Credential
• Education - Reading Education (MA) with Reading and Literacy Added Authorization (RLAA) Credential

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

Items Requested in Program Application

Gather the items below and have them ready to upload to the program application:

Statement of Purpose

Write a Statement of Purpose based on this prompt (maximum of 2 pages using a size 12 font): "What are your professional goals and how do you expect this graduate program to help you meet these goals?"

Letter of Recommendation

Contact 1 individual who you have interacted with professionally and would be able to write a letter of recommendation for you.

Please collect name and email address so you are ready to request this letter in the Program application. Recommenders will submit their letters directly into the online 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

Information Session

The Fall 2026 Information Session is scheduled for December 4, 2025 at 5:00pm. Contact the Graduate Advisor, Dr. Ixchel Samson ([email protected]), for the Zoom link to join. 

Cal State Apply Questions

• [email protected] 

Program Questions

• Dr. Ixchel Samson, Graduate Advisor ([email protected])