How to Apply to the Program
The History Department offers one application review cycle for Fall admission. We do not accept students mid-year.
- Application materials are due February 1 (for the Cal State Apply application, see below) and February 15 (for all other materials).
In order to apply, please complete the following steps:
Step 1. Complete the University Online Application via Cal State Apply *– Must be completed by February 1.
*Note: This application is used for graduate and undergraduate admission in the CSU, graduate students do NOT need to list their undergraduate courses.
- All applicants must fill out the application on Cal State Apply and pay the required fee.
- A SDSU RED ID Number will then be assigned which allows tracking of application status
online.
Step 2. Send official test scores and transcripts to Graduate Admissions – Must be received by February 15.
- If applicable, TOEFL test scores must be sent directly from ETS. (Institution Code:
4682)
- Send official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
Send electronically to [email protected].
or
Send via the postal service to:
Graduate Admissions
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-8225
Please allow at least two weeks from the time of receipt, to process transcripts. For more information on submitting transcripts, visit the Steps to Apply page.
If you have questions about this step, you can contact a virtual counselor.
Step 3. Complete the Program Online Application via Interfolio – Must be completed by February 15.
The program application, submitted via Interfolio, includes the following items:
- A statement of purpose of no more than 500 words is required. It should include information as to why you would like to pursue a Master's degree in history, what your goals are following completion of the degree, your field or area of interest, and what work you have done in that area to date (and in the field of history generally, including coursework, research, internships, language preparation, work, etc.). What knowledge and skills, in other words, have you developed that will allow you to be successful in a graduate history program? Finally, how and why is SDSU's history program the appropriate place for you to study? The more specific about your interests and academic experience you can be, the better. It is recommended that you write this statement early and ask one (or more) of your professors to review it and give you feedback so that you have time to incorporate the feedback and go through several drafts if necessary. The statement of purpose should be very well written and concise, yet clear with adequate depth of
- Two letters of recommendation are required from professors who are familiar with your abilities as a student. It is most helpful to have letters from history professors with whom you took courses, but if you worked closely with a professor in another related field, you may submit a letter from him or her. If you have been out of school for several years, you may submit one letter from a supervisor, but academic letters hold the most weight, as they give the greatest insight into your ability to succeed in the program. Please do not submit letters from friends or acquaintances.
- A writing sample is optional but recommended, as it gives the committee excellent insight into your writing ability and experience. Sample papers to include would be a senior thesis, a paper you wrote for a history course in which you used primary source evidence, a research paper written for a history course, or a historiography paper. You might want to ask one of your undergraduate professors and/or recommenders what he or she would recommend you submit.