Organizer Information
San Diego State University (SDSU) is a public research university in San Diego, California, and part of the California State University system. Its creative and cultural programs are primarily housed within the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts, including the School of Art and Design and the School of Theatre, Television, and Film, as well as the School of Music and Dance. SDSU currently lists 97 bachelor's, 84 master's, and 23 doctoral programs across the university.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: San Diego State University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, MM, PhD and other graduate/doctoral degrees
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Design, Architecture, Photography, Film, Television, New Media, Theatre, Musical Theatre, Music, Dance and related disciplines
- Relevant Programs: Art, Art History, Interior and Architectural Design, Interactive Media and Graphic Design, Studio Arts, Television Film and New Media, Film and Television Production, Theatre Arts, Musical Theatre, Music, Dance
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Fall 2027 undergraduate applications: 1 October–30 November 2026; graduate deadlines are program-specific
- Application Deadline: 30 November 2026 for undergraduate admission; program-specific deadlines for graduate programs
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
- Application Fee: $70 USD
- Tuition: From $6,838 basic undergraduate tuition for 2026–27; graduate basic tuition from $8,548
- Funding: Scholarships, grants and graduate assistantship opportunities are available.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- SDSU offers creative study across visual art, design, film and media, theatre, music and dance. The School of Art and Design offers undergraduate study in Art History, Interior and Architectural Design, Interactive Media and Graphic Design, and Studio Arts, alongside the MFA in Art and MA in Art History.
- Relevant interdisciplinary areas include ceramics, furniture design and woodworking, graphic and interactive design, interior architecture, jewelry and metalwork, multimedia, painting and printmaking, photography, sculpture, socially engaged practice, film production, media studies and theatre design.
- Program-specific creative submissions apply to selected disciplines. For example, Television, Film and New Media Production requires a supplemental creative portfolio, while Music and Dance use auditions or other program-specific creative submissions.
General Eligibility
- SDSU accepts first-year, transfer, graduate and international applicants, subject to the admission requirements of the relevant applicant category and program. International first-year applicants graduating outside the United States must complete secondary education and meet the university's international admission criteria, including a U.S.-equivalent GPA of at least 3.00 (B/80 percent) for the published Fall 2027 criteria.
- Graduate applicants must hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree and satisfy SDSU's university-level graduate requirements plus any additional requirements established by the selected program. International graduate applicants must provide academic records and degree documentation according to SDSU's international requirements
- Selected programs impose additional admission requirements. Television, Film and New Media Production requires a supplemental portfolio; undergraduate Music requires an audition; and Dance applicants participate in an audition process.
Language Requirements
- International first-year applicants who studied at a school where English was not the primary language of instruction must demonstrate English proficiency. SDSU currently accepts, among other options, IELTS 6.5 or higher, Duolingo 105 or higher, PTE 58 or higher, and specified TOEFL scores.
- International graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants who do not qualify for an English-proficiency waiver must meet the graduate English requirement. The published minimums include IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 105 and PTE 58; some programs may require higher scores.
Application Fee
| Applicant / Level | Application Fee | Billing Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $70 USD | Per campus application |
| Graduate | $70 USD | Per campus application |
| International undergraduate | $70 USD | Nonrefundable |
| International graduate | $70 USD | Nonrefundable |
California resident undergraduate applicants may qualify for an application fee waiver. SDSU states that graduate fee waivers are limited and generally restricted to eligible California residents demonstrating financial need.
Tuition
| Study Level / Applicant Type | 2026–27 Tuition / Mandatory Charges | Billing Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate California resident | $6,838 basic tuition + $2,942 campus fees | 9-month academic year |
| Undergraduate nonresident/international | $6,838 basic tuition + $2,942 campus fees + $14,130 nonresident tuition + $3,000 Out-of-State and International Student Fee | 9-month academic year |
| Graduate/doctoral California resident | $8,548 basic tuition + $2,942 campus fees | 9-month academic year |
| Graduate/doctoral nonresident | $8,548 basic tuition + $2,942 campus fees + $471 per unit nonresident tuition | 9-month academic year |
International undergraduate students are also required to obtain health insurance; SDSU lists an approximate 2026–27 cost of $1,866 per year. Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Funding & Financial Support
- SDSU's Aztec Scholarships are open to matriculated students regardless of area of study and explicitly include graduate students, nonresidents and international students holding an F-1 visa. The 2026–27 scholarship application period is March through September. Graduate students may also apply for Teaching Associate and Graduate Assistant positions, including opportunities within the School of Art and Design.
University Services & Academic Support
- Students have access to SDSU academic support, library resources, career services, internships, research opportunities and international student services. The School of Art and Design provides studio facilities, gallery programming and access to specialized creative equipment, while its graduate programs emphasize faculty mentorship and professional development.
Application Requirements
- Undergraduate applicants submit the Cal State Apply application and, where applicable, supplemental departmental materials. International first-year applicants must provide academic records and, after admission, official final documents; documents not issued in English require certified English translations.
- Graduate applicants submit transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, and international applicants must provide official academic records and degree documentation with English translations where required. Program-specific materials can include resumes, personal statements, recommendation letters, portfolios, writing samples and creative work.
- Program-specific requirements include:
- MFA in Art: portfolio, letters and statement of purpose through the program application.
- MA in Art History: two recommendation letters, resume, statement of purpose and writing sample.
- MFA Film and Television Production: personal statement, resume, story treatment and three recommendation letters, plus supplemental program materials.
- Music: performance audition for undergraduate Music majors; graduate performance programs require auditions, while scholarly/academic graduate programs use written materials.
- Dance: entrance audition for new Dance applicants.
- TFM Production: supplemental creative portfolio through SlideRoom.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Undergraduate Application Opens: 1 August 2026
- Undergraduate Application Period: 1 October 2026–30 November 2026
- Undergraduate Application Deadline: 30 November 2026
- International Undergraduate Early Consideration Deadline: 30 November 2026
- TFM Production Supplemental Portfolio Deadline: Third Monday of January 2027
- Dance Audition: 13 February 2027 or 14 February 2027
- Music Audition: 6 February 2027, 7 February 2027, 13 February 2027 or 14 February 2027
- Art MFA Fall 2027 — Cal State Apply: 1 February 2027
- Art MFA Fall 2027 — Graduate Admissions Documents: 15 February 2027
- Art History MA Fall 2027 — Cal State Apply: 1 December 2026
- Art History MA Fall 2027 — Graduate Admissions Documents: 15 December 2026
- Film and Television Production MFA Fall 2027 — Cal State Apply: 1 February 2027
- Film and Television Production MFA Fall 2027 — Graduate Admissions Documents: 15 February 2027
- Theatre Arts MA Fall 2027 — Cal State Apply: 1 February 2027
- Theatre Arts MA Fall 2027 — Graduate Admissions Documents: 15 February 2027
- Theatre Arts Design and Technology MFA Fall 2027 — Cal State Apply: 1 April 2027
- Theatre Arts Design and Technology MFA Fall 2027 — Graduate Admissions Documents: 15 April 2027
- Music MM Fall 2027 — Cal State Apply: 1 February 2027
- Music MM Fall 2027 — Graduate Admissions Documents: 15 February 2027
Location
San Diego State University — San Diego, California, United States
Additional Details
SDSU's application requirements and deadlines vary substantially by program. In particular, creative programs may require departmental auditions, portfolios or supplemental applications in addition to the university application. Applicants should therefore follow the requirements for their exact major or graduate program rather than applying general SDSU requirements across all creative disciplines.
The current central SDSU graduate-program listing gives the Fall 2027 deadlines for the MFA in Art as 1 February, 15 February and 15 February for the university application, Graduate Admissions documents and program application respectively, while an older School of Art and Design admissions page contains earlier dates. The current graduate-program listing has been used for the Fall 2027 deadline information above.