skip to main content
Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Menu
woman laying on back reading outside

Apply Now

Undergraduate Admission

Women’s Studies would love to have you! For all the information you need to apply as a first-year or transfer student, please visit the SDSU Admissions page.


Graduate Admissions and Application 

Thank you for your interest in pursuing graduate work in Women's Studies at San Diego State University. 

Minimum Admission Requirements

Except under special circumstances, prospective applicants must meet the following minimum admission requirements:

  • Hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or equivalent as determined by the Division of Graduate Affairs;
  • Have attained at least a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units of study;
  • If applicable, TOEFL or IELTS test scores.
  • Have a sufficient background in Women’s Studies.
  • Admission priority for Fall admission of new students will be given to those who submit their application and all other materials by February 15. This includes the Cal State Apply application (due February 1) and Interfolio (due February 15).

Admissions Process

To be considered for graduate admission at San Diego State University, you must follow the 3-step process outlined below. For more detailed information regarding the admissions process, please visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Deadline to submit is February 1.

Each applicant must submit the California State University common application electronically to at the Cal State Apply website along with the nonrefundable application fee. The Cal State Apply site will begin to accept applications on October 1. Once you have submitted the Cal State Apply application, you will be assigned a RedID number, which will be emailed to you within 3-5 business days. Your RedID number will allow you to track the status of your application through the my.SDSU. Students who are SDSU undergraduates or took courses at SDSU should enter their RedID number there.

If you have questions regarding this step, please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at (619) 594-6336 or email [email protected]. International applicants may contact the International Recruitment Office at (619) 594-1847 or email [email protected].

Deadline to submit the program application is February 15. Start and submit application via Interfolio.

The Women’s Studies M.A. Program application requires the following items:

  • Two letters of recommendation – Applicants must provide names and email addresses for recommenders. Recommenders will be invited to complete the recommendation electronically.
  • A 500-word Statement of Purpose, concerning the applicant's scholarly background, intentions, and goals. The statement should address the applicant's experience in women's studies and with women's issues, rationale for pursuing the M.A. degree, and relation of the M.A. degree in women's studies to prior academic work and career objectives. Explain how your understanding of feminism intersects with race, class, sexual orientation, ability, and other dimensions of difference.
  • A scholarly writing sample of no more than 25 pages in length.
  • Applicants must state whether they are applying for full-time or part-time status. (A small number of part-time students may be admitted each year. Applicants should read carefully the information provided under Part-time Program Guidelines).
  • Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (this is in addition to the official transcripts—see Step 3 below).
  • If applicable, TOEFL or IELTS test scores.
  • Your resumé

If you have questions regarding this step, please contact our graduate advisor, Professor Jess Whatcott: [email protected].

Deadline to submit is March 1.

After you have submitted the Cal State Apply application and received your RedID number, you will need to send official transcripts and test scores to the Graduate Admissions Office. Sending transcripts before submitting the Cal State Apply application will result in processing delays.

You must provide the following:

Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) issued within the last year, from all U.S. colleges and universities attended. Students who previously attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for coursework completed outside of SDSU.

Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified literal English translation. For country specific requirements, please see the Graduate Admissions website.

TOEFL or IELTS scores are required of all applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose native language is not English and whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English. A minimum score of 80 is required. Scores should be sent directly from ETS using SDSU’s Institution Code 4682.

The above listed materials should be sent to:
Graduate Admissions
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-8225

If you have questions regarding this step, please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at (619) 594-6336 or email [email protected]. International applicants may contact the International Recruitment Office at (619) 594-1847 or email [email protected].


Certificate Program Admissions

Please see our Certificates page for more information.