Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program

Eligibility By State:
Due to regulations from the Department of Education, the University of San Diego is unable to enroll students in its online degree programs who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. The restriction does not apply to applicants interested in a campus-based program. 

Online Application

• The University of San Diego Graduate School Admission Application and $45 application fee

  • Upload the following to submit your online application
    • Statement of Purpose
    • Resume
    • Recommenders’ Contact Information
  • Letters of Recommendation and International Transcript Evaluations must be received by the program deadline to complete your application.

Transcripts:

Official transcripts from the university where you earned your master’s degree and bachelor’s degree are required at the time of application.

Note:

• Official E-Transcripts are acceptable only if emailed to grads@sandiego.edu.
• Transcripts from study abroad courses and transfer credits are not required.

Degrees Earned Outside of the United States:

• Students who earned their bachelor’s degree and/or master's degree from an institution outside the United States must submit a course-by-course degree evaluation at the time of application. Applicants can elect from:
  • World Education Services, Inc. (WES) - Preferred Evaluator
  • Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
  • International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF)
  • Josef Silny Foundation, Inc. (JSA)
  • SpanTran: The Evaluation Company (SpanTran)
  • Foreign Academic Credential Service (FACS)

• Applications for students educated outside the United States will not be considered complete nor can an admissions decision be made until this degree evaluation has been submitted.

Statement of Purpose: 

• Why you are interested in earning a doctoral degree in Education for Social Justice and how does this degree align with your academic, professional and personal goals?
• What are one or two research topics that you want to investigate as part of your doctoral program and how can the work of faculty in the Department of Learning and Teaching support these research interests?
• How have your academic, professional and personal experiences made you a good fit for this program?

Letters of Recommendation: 

Three professional letters of recommendation from professors or employers. We strongly recommend that at least one of the letters be from a professor who can address your academic abilities and potential, and overall promise as a doctoral student.

English Proficiency Exam (EPEX) Score for International Applicants:

EPEX Requirement

An official score report for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required of all international applicants. Official score reports must be two years old or less from the time you submit your online application in order to be considered. 

Official scores can be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions, grads@sandiego.edu, school code: 4849.

• TOEFL minimum scores:
  • Internet-based test: 91
  • Computer-based test: 233
  • Paper-based test: 577
• IELTS minimum score:
  • Band score: 7.5

EPEX Waiver

You may request an EPEX waiver if you: 

1. Have submitted your online application and 
2. You meet one of the following: 
   • English is your primary language
   • You completed four-years of undergraduate work in the U.S. and obtained (or in the process of obtaining) a bachelor’s degree in the U.S. with a minimum 3.0 GPA. 
     
     • Or from a university outside of the U.S. that is regionally accredited. 
   • You obtained your bachelor's degree in Great Britain, Canada, or Australia with an equivalent minimum 3.0 GPA. 

Be sure to promptly order official transcripts or official transcript evaluations, as they are also required to determine waiver eligibility.

If you believe you are eligible for an EPEX waiver, please email the SOLES Admissions and Outreach Office at solesadmissions@sandiego.edu. Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Standardized Testing Requirements

• Applicants are strongly encouraged to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), but it is not required. Official GRE test scores must be within 5 years of the test date.
  • There is no minimum GRE score required.
• The University of San Diego’s GRE Institution Code number is 4849.
  • This number must be included on test registration forms in order to have the official results sent to the university.
  • Standardized testing must be completed well in advance of the deadline as it typically takes about 2 weeks for the score reports to arrive after a request is made.
• For more information on preparing for the GRE, visit USD's Test Prep or call (619) 260-4585.

Education Requirements

• Applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree and a master's or JD prior to beginning the program.
• Applicants may apply prior to completing their master's degree.
  • In this case, please submit your most up-to-date transcripts, and if admitted, submit a second set of official transcripts after your degree is conferred.
• The minimum cumulative Grade Point Average is 3.50 (on a 4.00 scale) in all graduate coursework.

Experience Requirements

Professional experience is strongly recommended.