Admissions

Fall 2023   Application filing period begins: October 1, 2022

Spring 2023   Application filing period begins: August 1, 2022

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The first step in preparing a successful application to graduate school is to research your intended graduate program.

Graduate Studies strongly recommends you research admission criteria, the academic department or graduate program mission, faculty profiles including research interests, area of specialization and scholarship, and degree requirements prior to beginning your application. Conducting this research and understanding program deadlines right below, before you prepare application materials, will ensure that you are able to present yourself as an exceptional candidate for the program and faculty.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Check out our Graduate Program Coordinators and Explore Interest Programs below to get started.

Graduate Program Coordinators
Graduate Advising Information
California Residency Information
Book Your Advising Appointment
Program Deadlines Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Grad Coordinator
Accountancy [MS] Fall: June 1   
Spring: October 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Joanne Sopt
Anthropology [MA] Fall: February 15
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Peter Biella
Art [MFA] Fall: February 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Sean McFarland
Asian American Studies [MA] * Fall: March 15
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Wesley Ueunten
Astronomy & Astrophysics [MS] Fall: May 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Jeff Greensite
Biology - Cell and Molecular Biology [MS] Fall: March 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Diana Chu
Biology - Integrative Biology [MS] Fall: March 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Andrea Swei
Biology - Physiology and Behavioral Biology [MS] Fall: March 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Robyn Crook
Biomedical Science – Biotechnology [MS] Fall: March 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Lily Chen
Biomedical Science - Stem Cell Science [MS] Fall: March 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Lily Chen
Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts (BECA) [MA] * Fall: June 15
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Melissa Camacho
Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts (BECA) [MFA] Fall: April 15
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Melissa Camacho
Business Administration [MBA] Fall: June 1   
Spring: October 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Richard Ho
Business Administration (Biotech Professionals) [MBA] Fall: May 1   
Spring: October 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Richard Ho
Business Administration (Executive MBA Part-Time) [MBA] Fall: May 1   
Spring: October 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Richard Ho
Business Analytics [MS] Fall: May 1   
Spring: October 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Shengle Lin
Chemistry [MS] Fall: March 15
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Andrew S Ichimura
Chemistry (Biochemistry) [MS] Fall: March 15
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Andrew S Ichimura
Chinese [MA] Fall: August 15
Spring: January 15		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Wen-Chao (Chris) Li
Cinema [MFA] Fall: February 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Weimin Zhang
Cinema Studies [MA]

Priority Deadline is February 15;
Secondary Deadline is March 31;
Rolling Deadline until May 30

No Spring Admissions

 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Elizabeth Ramirez-Soto
Classics [MA] Fall: July 1
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Gillian McIntosh
Communication Studies [MA] Fall: May 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Fatima Alaoui
Comparative Literature [MA] Fall: June 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Shirin Khanmohamadi
Computer Science [MS] Fall: March 1
Spring: October 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Hui Yang
Counseling [MS] Fall: January 15
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Rebecca Toporek
Counseling (Clinical Mental Health Counseling) [MS] Fall: January 15
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Sandra Fitzgerald
Counseling (Marriage, Family & Child Counseling) [MS] Fall: January 15
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Tiffany O'Shaughnessy
Creative Writing [MA] Fall:

  • Round 1 Deadline: February 15th for Priority Consideration for Scholarships
  • Round 2 Deadline: May 10th

No Spring Admissions

 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Andrew Joron
Creative Writing [MFA] Fall:

  • Round 1 Deadline: February 15th for Priority Consideration for Scholarships
  • Round 2 Deadline: May 10th

No Spring Admissions

 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Andrew Joron
Curriculum and Instruction Fall: May 15
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Mina Kim
Curriculum and Instruction & Credential Fall: May 15
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Mina Kim
Data Science & Artificial Intelligence [MS] Fall: March 1
Spring: October 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Kazunori Okada
Design [MA] Fall: May 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Hsiao-Yun Chu
Education (Adult Education) [MA] Fall: June 6
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Ming-yeh Lee
Education (Early Childhood Education) [MA] Fall: July 1
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Mina Kim
Education (Educational Administration) [MA] No Fall Admission
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Irina Okhremtchouk
Education (Equity and Social Justice) [MA] Fall: June 6
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Ming-yeh Lee
Education (Instructional Technology) [MA] Fall: July 1
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Zahira Merchant
Education (Secondary Education) [MA] Fall: May 1
Spring: November 15		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Larry Horvath
Education (Single Subject / Secondary Ed.)[Credential/MA] Fall: February 18
Spring: November 15		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Larry Horvath
Education (Special Interest) [MA] Fall: June 6
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Deborah Curtis
Educational Leadership (Community College) [EdD] Fall: April 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Jamie Chan
Educational Leadership (K 12) [EdD] Fall: April 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Jamie Chan
Engineering (Electrical) [MS] Fall: May 1
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Hamid Shahnasser
Engineering (Mechanical) [MS] Fall: May 1
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Ed Cheng
Engineering (Civil) [MS] Fall: May 1
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Cheng Chen
English (Composition) [MA] * Fall: July 31
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Bridget Gelms
English (Linguistics) [MA] * Fall: July 31
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Jenny Lederer
English Literatures [MA] * Fall: July 31
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Sara Hackenberg
English (TESOL) [MA] * Fall: July 31
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Priyavada Abeywickrama
Ethnic Studies [MA] Fall: February 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Jason Ferreira
Family & Consumer Sciences [MA] Fall: April 1
Spring: December 15		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Gus Vouchilas
Geographic Information Science [MS] Fall: April 15
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Nancy Wilkinson
Geography (Resource Mgmt & Environmental Planning) [MA] Fall: April 15
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Nancy Wilkinson
Geography [MA] Fall: April 15
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Nancy Wilkinson
Geosciences [MS] Fall: August 1
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Petra Dekens
Gerontology [MA] Fall: August 1
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Emiko Takagi
History [MA] Fall: February 15
Spring: October 15		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Sarah Curtis
Humanities [MA] Fall: May 1
Spring: November 15		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Cristina L Ruotolo
Interdisciplinary Marine and Estuarine Science - RIPTIDES [MS] Fall: March 5
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Ellen Hines
Interdisciplinary Study [MA] Fall: August 15
Spring: January 15		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  
Interdisciplinary Study [MS] Fall: August 15
Spring: January 15		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  
International Relations [MA] Fall: March 30
No Spring Admission		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Amy Skonieczny
Kinesiology [MS] Fall: May 1
Spring: November 15		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Maria J. Veri
Mathematics [MA] Fall: May 1
Spring: December 10		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Chun Kit Lai
Museum Studies [MA] Fall: February 22
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Edward M. Luby
Music [MA] Fall: June 1
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Ben Sabey
Music [MM] Fall: June 1
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Cyrus Ginwala
Nursing (Accelerated Entry Level Nursing) [MS] Fall: Closed
Spring: Closed		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Fang-Yu Chou
Nursing (Entry Level/Generic Non-RN MSN) [MS] Fall: January 15
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Fang-Yu Chou
Nursing (RN-MSN) [MS] Fall: January 15
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Fang-Yu Chou
Philosophy [MA] Fall: June 1
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Jeremy Reid
Physical Therapy (Joint DPT w/UCSF) [DPT] Summer Admission Only
Contact the Department		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Jeannette Lee
Physical Therapy (Joint DPTSc w/UCSF) [DPTSc] Fall: Contact the Department
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Jeannette Lee
Physics [MS] Fall: May 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Jeff Greensite
Political Science [MA] Fall: May 1
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Amanda Roberti
Psychology (Clinical Psychology) [MS] Fall: February 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap David E Gard
Psychology (Developmental Psychology) [MA] Fall: February 18
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Jeff Cookston
Psychology (Industrial / Organizational Psychology) [MS] Fall: February 18
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Chris Wright
Psychology (Mind, Brain, and Behavior) [MA] Fall: February 18
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Mark Geisler
Psychology (School Psychology) [MS] Fall: February 18
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Diane Harris
Psychology (Social, Personality, and Affective) [MA] Fall: February 18
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Charlotte Tate
Public Administration [MPA] Fall: May 1
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Ernita Joaquin
Public Health [MPH] * Fall: March 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap

Laura Mamo
Emma V Sanchez
Quantitative Economics [MS] Fall: May 1
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Lisa Takeyama
Sexuality Studies [MA] * Fall: June 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Clare Sears
Social Work [MSW] Fall: January 9
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Sonja Lenz-Rashid
Spanish [MA] Fall: August 15
Spring: January 15		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Michael Hammer
Special Education [Credential & MA] Fall: May 1
Spring: October 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Yvonne Bui
Special Education [Joint PhD w/UCB] Contact the Department Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Gloria Soto
Special Education [MA] Fall: May 1
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Yvonne Bui
Speech, Language & Hearing [MS] Fall: December 15
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Laura Epstein
Statistical Data Science [MS] Fall: May 1
Spring: November 15		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Mohammad Kafai
Theatre Arts [MA] Fall: April 1
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap TBD
Theatre Arts (Design) [MFA] Currently Closed Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Kim Schwartz
Women and Gender Studies [MA] * Fall: May 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Martha Kenney

* These graduate programs conduct rolling admission and continue to accept applications on a space-available basis.  Prospective students should review the website of their intended graduate program of study for the priority admission deadline. The deadline posted here is the last date by which a program will receive applications on a space-available basis.

Program Fall/Spring Deadline SF Scholars Coordinators
Accounting: Business Administration [ B.S. + M.S. in Accountancy] Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Jung Hoon Kim
Anthropology: B.A. in Anthropology + M.A. in Anthropology Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Cynthia Ann Wilczak
Chemistry & Biochemistry: B.S. in Chemistry & Biochemistry + M.S. in Chemistry & Biochemistry Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Andrew Ichimura
Chinese: B.A. in Chinese + M.A. in Chinese Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Chris Wen-chao Li
Communication Studies: B.A. in Communication Studies + M.A. in Communication Studies Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Fatima Alaoui
Comparative World Literature: B.A. in Comparative World Literature + M.A. in Comparative Literature Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Dane Johnson
BS in Business Administration Concentration in Decision Sciences + Business Analytics M.S. Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Julia Miyaoka
Design: BS in Industrial Design: Concentration in Product Design and Development Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Hsiao-Yun Chu
Design: B.S. in Visual Communication Design + M.A. in Design Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Hsiao-Yun Chu
Earth Sciences: B.S. in Earth Sciences + M.S. in Geosciences Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Mary Leech
Economics: B.A. Economics + M.S. Economics Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Anoshua Chaudhuri
Engineering: B.S. in Civil Engineering + M.S. in Engineering: Concentration in Structural/Earthquakes Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Cheng Chen
Engineering: B.S. in Computer Engineering + M.S. in Engineering: [Embedded Electrical & Computer Systems] Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Xiaorong Zhang
Engineering:B.S. in Electrical Engineering + M.S. in Engineering: [Embedded Electrical & Computer Systems] Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Hamid Mahmoodi
English Literature Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Sara Hackenberg
Ethnic Studies: Africana, Latina/Latino, Asian American Studies [ B.A. + M.A. in Ethnic Studies ] Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Katynka Martinez
History Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Sarah Curtis & Jessica Elkind
Humanities: B.A. in Humanities + M.A. in Humanities Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Cristina Ruotolo
International Relations: International Relations [ B.A.+ M.A.] Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Amy Skonieczny
Kinesiology: B.S. Concentration in Exercise and Movement Sciences + M.S. Kinesiology Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Jimmy Bagley
Biology Concentration in Marine Science + Interdisciplinary Marine and Estuarine Sciences [ B.S.+ M.S.] Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Ellen M Hines
Political Science: B.A. in Political Science + M.A. in Political Science Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Nicole Watts
Philosophy: B.A. in Philosophy + M.A. in Philosophy Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Alice Sowaal & Carlos Montemayor
Psychology: B.A. in Psychology + M.A. in Psychology: (Concentration in Developmental Psychology) Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Jeff Cookston
Social Work & Gerontology:B.A. in Social Work + M.A. in Gerontology Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Jocelyn Clare Hermoso & Darlene Yee-Melichar
Sociology & Gerontology:B.A. in Sociology + M.A. in Gerontology Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Christopher Bettinger & Darlene Yee-Melichar
Spanish:B.A. in Spanish + M.A. in Spanish Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Michael F. Hammer & Ana Luengo Palomino
Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences: B.S. + M.S Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Laura Epstein
Theater Arts: B.A.+ M.A. in Theater Arts Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Kim Schwartz
Women & Gender Studies: B.A.+ M.A. in Women & Gender Studies Contact SF Scholars Coordinator Martha Kenney
Program Deadlines Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Grad Coordinator
Administrative Services Credential Fall: May 1   
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Irina Okhremtchouk
Designated Subjects Credential Fall: May 1  
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Myla Marcelino
Early Childhood Special Education Fall: May 1   
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Yvonne Bui
Extensive Support Needs Fall: May 1   
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Yvonne Bui
Multiple Subject Credential

Fall: May 1
No Spring Admissions

 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Mina Kim
Mild/Moderate Support Needs Fall: May 1   
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Yvonne Bui
Pupil Personnel Services - School Counseling Credential Contact the Department Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Credential Office
Pupil Personnel Services - School Psychology Credential Contact the Department Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Credential Office
Pupil Personnel Services - Social Work Credential Contact the Department Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Credential Office
Reading & Language Arts Specialist Credential Fall: Contact the Department
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Stephanie Sisk-Hilton
Single Subject Credential Fall: May 1
Spring: November 15		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Larry Horvath
Special Education Autism Spectrum Added Auth. Credential Fall: May 1   
Spring: Contact the Department		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Yvonne Bui
Special Education Credential Fall: May 1   
Spring: Contact the Department		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Yvonne Bui
Special Education Orthopedically Impaired Added Auth. Credential Fall: May 1   
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Yvonne Bui
Speech-Language Pathology Service Credential Fall: December 15  
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Laura Epstein
Visual Impairments Fall: May 1   
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Yvonne Bui
Program Deadlines Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Grad Coordinator
Accounting Fall: May 1
Spring: October 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Jung Hoon Kim
Augmentative and Alternative Communications Fall: December 15
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Laura Epstein
Autism Spectrum Fall: May 1   
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Yvonne Bui
Business in Ethics and Compliance Fall: May 1
Spring: October 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap mba@sfsu.edu 
Business Principles Fall: May 1
Spring: October 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap mba@sfsu.edu 
Clinical Laboratory Science Fall: November 15
Spring: July 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap CLS Office
Computational Linguistics * Fall: July 31
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Anastasia Smirnova
Conflict Resolution Fall: May 1
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap comm@sfsu.edu
Dietetics Fall: Contact the Department
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Gus Vouchilas
Enterprise Information Systems Fall: May 1
Spring: October 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap mba@sfsu.edu 
Ethnic Studies Fall: February 1
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Katynka Martinez
Ethical Artificial Intelligence Fall: August 15
Spring: January 15		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Faculty Advisors
Family Nurse Practitioner Fall: January 15
No Spring Admissions		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Nursing Department
Finance Fall: May 1
Spring: October 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap mba@sfsu.edu 
Genetic Engineering Fall: May 1
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Biology Department
History Education Fall: April 1
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Sarah Curtis
Immigrant Literacies * Fall: July 31
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Maricel Santos
Inclusive Early Childhood Practices Fall: May 1
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Yvonne Bui
International Business and Global Leadership Fall: May 1
Spring: October 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap mba@sfsu.edu 
Marketing in the Digital Economy Fall: May 1
Spring: October 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap mba@sfsu.edu 
Pre-Health Professions Fall: May 1
Spring: October 1
Summer: March 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap pbadmit@sfsu.edu
Pre-Nursing Fall: May 1
Spring: October 1
Summer: March 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap pbadmit@sfsu.edu
Rehabilitation Counseling Fall: May 1
Spring: October 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap counsel@sfsu.edu
Software Engineering Fall: August 15
Spring: January 15		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap  Isabel Hyo Jung Song
Sustainable Business Fall: May 1
Spring: October 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Geoff Desa
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Fall: July 31
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Priya Abeywickrama
Teaching of Composition Fall: July 31
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Bridget Gelms
Teaching Post-Secondary Reading Fall: July 31
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Bridget Gelms
Technical and Professional Writing Fall: July 31
Spring: December 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap engdept@sfsu.edu
Training Systems Development Fall: May 1
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Zahira Mercant
Youth and Human Services Nonprofit Administration Fall: May 1
Spring: November 1		 Admission Requirements Program Roadmap Aiko Yoshino