Graduate & Post-Baccalaureate Admissions Requirements
Application and Admission Process
Admission to San Diego State University for graduate study is a competitive process and open to those applicants who the university judges to be fully qualified to benefit from graduate study. The requirements listed below are the minimum required for admission to the university. Many programs have established additional requirements. Potential applicants should refer to the SDSU General Catalog under the departmental listings. Students in their final baccalaureate year who are contemplating graduate study are also advised to contact the departmental offices as soon as possible for information and advice. Some departments stop reviewing applications earlier than others because space is limited.
Application Procedures
Applicants for any type of graduate or post-baccalaureate status (advanced degree applicants and those seeking credentials or advanced certificates) must apply through Cal State Apply. Applications are available at Cal State Apply within the appropriate filing period. All applicants, including those who graduated from San Diego State University, are also required to complete and submit an application and the $70 nonrefundable application fee. Applicants for post-baccalaureate programs are limited to the choice of a single CSU campus on each application. All master's, doctoral, and credential students should consult the department or program listed in SDSU Graduate Admissions program listing) for the specific department and/ or program application instructions. In all cases, applicants should send official transcripts and examination scores to Graduate Admissions only. Students are required to apply online. Online applications are available at Cal State Apply.
Admission Requirements
Graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants may apply for a degree objective, a credential or certificate objective, or where approved, may have no program objective. Depending on the objective, the CSU will consider an application for admission as follows:
The minimum requirements for admission to graduate and post-baccalaureate studies at a California State University campus are in accordance with university regulations as well as Title 5, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations. Specifically, a student shall at the time of enrollment must: (1) hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree earned at an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, or have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by the graduate dean; (2) have attained a grade point average of at least 2.85 in an acceptable earned baccalaureate degree, or at least 2.85 in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted, or hold an acceptable post-baccalaureate degree earned at an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association; (3) have been in good standing at the last institution attended; and (4) achieved satisfactory scores on GRE or GMAT for degree seeking applicants (not required for credential or certificate applicants). Applicants who do not qualify for admission under provisions (1) and (2) may be admitted by special action if the graduate dean determines that there is other academic or professional evidence sufficient to warrant such action. Applicants from foreign countries see International (Foreign) Student Admission Requirements. The Division of Graduate Affairs is the only official admissions authority for graduate study at San Diego State University. See the Graduate Bulletin for further details. Faculty may register for courses in accordance with the Division of Graduate Affairs policies
Faculty holding the rank of instructor and above may be candidates for degrees on this campus. Faculty may not seek degrees or register for courses within their own departments, programs, or schools and retain faculty status in that unit. Students who meet the minimum requirements for graduate and post-baccalaureate studies may be considered for admission in one of the four following categories:
Exchange students (non-foreign), visitors from other CSU campuses, and other transitory students may be admitted for one semester as unclassified graduate students; or
A student wishing to be admitted to a program leading to a credential only or to an advanced certificate only (not an advanced degree) who meets the criteria specified under General Admission Requirements. A student must also meet the professional, personal, scholastic, and other standards prescribed by the appropriate department and the Graduate Council; or
A student wishing to be admitted to a program of study leading to a credential in a professional education or a certificate program who meets the criteria specified under General Admission Requirements but who has deficiencies that can be met by specific additional preparation, including qualifying examinations; or
A student wishing to be admitted to a program of study leading to an advanced degree who meets the criteria specified under General Admissions Requirements; or
A student wishing to be admitted to a program of study leading to an advanced degree who meets the criteria specified under General Admission Requirements but who has deficiencies that can be met by specific additional preparation, including qualifying examinations. Potential applicants should refer to the Graduate Bulletin under Admission and Registration, for further details.
Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate English Language Requirement
All graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose native language is not English and whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English must demonstrate competence in English. Those who do not possess a bachelor's degree from a postsecondary institution where English is the principal language of instruction must receive a minimum score of 80 or higher for exams taken before January 21, 2026; 4 or higher for exams taken on or after January 21, 2026 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 6.5 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), 105 or higher in Duolingo English Test, or 58 or higher in the Pearson Test of English (PTE). Individual degree programs may require a higher minimum score.
Second Bachelor's Degree
San Diego State University is only accepting applications for a second bachelor's degree in nursing. To be eligible for admission to the second bachelor's degree in nursing, students must meet the following minimum CSU eligibility requirements and SDSU requirements.
- Students are required to apply during the CSU initial admission application filing period which starts October 1. They must file an electronic CSU Undergraduate Admission Application available at Cal State Apply
- Applicants must complete a nursing program application and meet additional ranking criteria. Learn more on the School of Nursing website.
- Applicants are subject to admission related deadlines for undergraduate transfer students.
- Applicants must have previously earned a baccalaureate degree from a college/university accredited by a regional accrediting association.
- Applicants must complete all major preparation/ prerequisite courses listed in the SDSU General Catalog by the end of the spring term prior to fall admission.
- Applicants must meet the cumulative grade point average (GPA) required for the nursing major in all transferable courses attempted at all regionally accredited universities, colleges, and community colleges completed as an undergraduate, independent of when the degree was granted;or meet the nursing GPA requirement in at least the last 60 semester/90 quarter units attempted of baccalaureate or graduate level courses.
- Applicants with prior SDSU regular semester, Special Session, Open University, or cross enrollment coursework, must have a minimum SDSU GPA of 2.0, in addition to the cumulative GPA listed above.
- Applicants must meet the required GPA at the time of application and maintain the GPA through the end of spring.
- Classified graduate students are not eligible to apply for a second bachelor's degree.
Second bachelor's degree in nursing students are accepted as unClassified post-baccalaureate which means they are subject to graduate fees. Credit earned while a second bachelor's candidate may not be applied toward an advanced degree at a later date. Candidates for a second bachelor's degree are ineligible to enroll in 600-, 700-, 800-, and 900-numbered courses.
