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All students in the School of Journalism & Media Studies graduate program begin their studies in the fall semester. Admission decisions are made the prior spring, and as a result, all application materials and test scores must be received by February 1.

Application for Admission

Your first step in the admissions process is the filing of an official CSU application and payment of the $55 application fee.

SDSU uses the California State University common admission application for both domestic and international students. The application and fee can be completed online through CSUMentor (http://www.csumentor.edu). If you cannot apply online, you should contact the Graduate Admissions Office to make special arrangements to apply electronically with campus assistance. International students should apply through CSUMentor.

It is important to complete the CSU application as soon as possible in order to be issued your RED ID number. After you submit your electronic application, instructions for how to obtain your RED ID number will be sent to you via e-mail. This number will allow you to track your application status online and will enable the School of Journalism & Media Studies to create and monitor your application file.

Official Transcripts

All applicants should submit official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) to Graduate Admissions from all post-secondary institutions attended. Transcripts are required for ALL institutions, even if only one class was taken. Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since their last attendance. 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 English translation.

GRE Scores

All applicants must provide official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from the Educational testing Service (http://www.ets.org). Test takers can designate San Diego State University as a recipient of official scores at the time they sit for the exam by using SDSU institution code 4682 or by contacting ETS directly. All applicants must post a GRE verbal score of 450 or higher; a GRE quantitative score of 450 or higher; a combined GRE verbal and quantitative score of 950 or higher; and a GRE writing assessment (GRE-W) of level 4 or higher.

TOEFL Scores

Additional test scores are required of applicants whose medium of instruction was in a language other than English. ALL international applicants must submit a TOEFL score (institution code 4682). In addition, results from ONE of the following tests must be submitted:

A Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), indicating successful passage of the reading, writing, listening, and English usage test offered by the Cambridge English for Life (EFL) testing program; or
A score of 50 or higher on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) offered by the Educational Testing Service; or
A score of 6.5 or better on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required from academic or professional sources. Letters of recommendation should speak to your ability to succeed in graduate studies. All letters of recommendation should be in a sealed envelope.

Statement of Purpose

The School of Journalism & Media Studies also requires a statement of purpose. The Admissions Committee uses this important document to evaluate a candidate’s background, motivation and goals for graduate studies, as well as the appropriateness of the JMS program to help the applicant achieve his/her goals. Your statement of purpose should, therefore, describe: 1) your undergraduate and/or professional preparation for graduate studies, 2) your personal and/or career objectives and how graduate studies will contribute to achieving your goals, 3) specific reasons why you are interested in the graduate program in the School of Journalism & Media Studies.

The School of Journalism & Media Studies offers selected graduate students the opportunity to be a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) in one of the School’s undergraduate courses. GTA positions are the primary form of student financial support offered by the School. If you are interested in a GTA position, please include a paragraph at the end of your statement of purpose that indicates your interest in a GTA position and that notes any professional and/or academic experiences or preparation that might be relevant to evaluating your qualifications for a this position.

Mailing Addresses

Official transcripts, GRE scores, and TOEFL scores should be submitted directly to Graduate Admissions:

Graduate Admissions
Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-7416

Please send your letters of recommendation and statement of purpose together in a single envelope to the School’s Graduate Adviser:

Dr. Joel Davis, Graduate Advisor
School of Journalism & Media Studies
College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Dr.
San Diego, CA 92182-4561

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Learn more about teaching opportunities for graduate students.