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SPED SF State Scholars Deadlines

  • November 1 (Spring admission)
  • April 1 (Fall admission)

Eligibility Requirements

Undergraduate SF State students must meet all of the following eligibility requirements to apply to the SPED SF State Scholars programs.

Hold a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA or 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester units.

Declare a major in one of the following undergraduate degrees (depending on the SF State Scholars pathway you want to pursue):

  • Early Childhood Studies: Concentration in Care & Education
  • Child & Adolescent Development: Concentration in Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential
  • Kinesiology: Concentration in Exercise & Movement Science

You cannot be declared in another major or second baccalaureate.

Apply to the program as an SF State undergraduate before completing 90-105 semester units.

We recommend applying during your junior year (junior = 60-89 units completed) – if you are a senior (senior = 90+ units completed), the program may possibly be beneficial for you depending on your current degree progress.

Obtain Tenured/Tenure Track faculty advisor sponsorship.

See Application Process & Guidelines (below) for information on how to obtain faculty advisor sponsorship for your specific major.

Meet admission requirements for SPED graduate programs:

  • 3.0 cumulative GPA or 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester units
  • 20 hours of Early Field Experience working with children/youth in some capacity, in any context/setting, with the age level that the credential you are applying to serves; can be met through CAD 280, CAD 600/601, E ED 645, and E ED 655. 
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
    (e.g., employer, SF State faculty, volunteer supervisor)
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) 
  • Personal Statement (view guidelines and rubric here)
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • SPED faculty interview

The following credential requirements will be met upon completion of the B.A./B.S. degree in the pathway:

  • Basic Skills Requirement
  • Subject Matter Competency (ECSE and O&M programs are exempt)

The following requirements can be met after applying for the SF State Scholars Programs (but before students transition to the graduate level after 120 units):

Application Process & Guidelines

  1. Request to meet with your SF State Scholars major advisor to ask if they will be your Undergraduate Faculty Sponsor:
    1. Child & Adolescent Development (CAD) and Early Childhood Studies (ECS) = Dr. Linda M. Platas
    2. Kinesiology (KIN) = Dr. Matt Lee
  2. During your meeting with your advisor, discuss the following:
    1. Review your eligibility 
    2. Review the graduate program requirements for the application 
    3. Create a drafted roadmap 
    4. If they approve to be your Undergraduate Faculty Sponsor, ask for an “Invitation Code” to submit your online application 
  3. Submit your application via Cal State Apply by the deadline (November 1st or April 1st) 
    1. Review tips for applying via Cal State Apply 
    2. Apply online at  https://www2.calstate.edu/apply
    3. Please make sure you select the correct semester from the drop-down menu to enter the correct application portal.
      1. Select FALL [YEAR] for the April 1st deadline 
      2. Select SPRING [YEAR] for the November 1st deadline 
    4. Please select you are interested applying to “Second Bachelor’s degree and beyond”
    5. Please select all the degree options (Second Bachelors, Graduate,  Credential and Certificate)
    6. Enter the Invitation Code from your faculty sponsor in order for the program to be visible in the Add Program Tab
    7. Please select the program “CAD or Kinesiology + SPED Blended Program-SF State Scholars.” Please do not select any other programs
    8. Email sped@sfsu.edu with any questions about the application process
  4. After initial screening and review of your application, you will be contacted for a SPED Faculty interview. Please be prepared to discuss why you are interested in the SPED graduate program. Interviews are conducted by faculty to assess the applicant’s communication skills and behaviors required to meet professional standards.
  5. Once accepted, a faculty advisor will finalize your roadmap to complete your program requirements 

Transition to Graduate Level

After being accepted into the SF State Scholars Program, students will need to complete the following to transition to the graduate level.

Maintain eligibility & academic standards: 

  • Overall cumulative GPA 3.0 or above OR GPA 3.0 or above in the last 60 semester units 
  • Complete roadmap/program requirements

Complete remaining additional SPED graduate program application requirements: 

  1. Fingerprint Clearance with California CTC
  2. Pre-Writing Admissions Assessment (Assessed via your Personal Statement)
  1. View your roadmap, and consult with advisors, on when you will apply for graduation for your B.A./B.S. in your Gateway Student Center. Registrar’s office graduation application steps & deadlines.
  2. Complete the SF State Scholars Advancement to Graduate Students Status form. 
    1. The DPR will not reflect which courses were taken in undergraduate standing that will be used towards your graduate program. SF Scholars program coordinators will work with you to verify which classes you plan to use for your master’s degree. While in undergraduate status, students may only count 15 units toward their master’s degree (12 graduate units may be double counted towards the undergraduate degree).