Thank you for your interest into the Joint Doctoral Program in Cell and Molecular Biology(JDP-CMB) at San Diego State University. The JDP-CMB is an innovative program, presented in cooperation with the University of California at San Diego. The program takes advantage of the combined resources of two excellent institutions to offer students significant research opportunities at diverse locations, expanded faculty and course availability, and exposure to San Diego’s thriving biomedical and biotechnology research environment. Our doctoral students receive tuition and financial support.
Qualification for admission into the Doctoral Program includes a baccalaureate degree with a major in Biology or a related field, a GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 semester units of coursework, and a GPA of 3.0 for upper division biological sciences courses. NOTE: The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) has been suspended and is therefore, NOT required. Foreign students are also required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo Test scores. See below for detailed information.
The Admissions Committee will evaluate potential student applications based on grade point average, TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo Test scores (if applicable), research experience, and letters of recommendation. Selected students will be invited to interview via Zoom and will have the opportunity to meet with faculty and current Ph.D. students if they are accepted into the program. Faculty sponsorship is not required at the application stage as all accepted students will complete three rotations with different faculty within the Cell and Molecular Biology Program before joining a lab.
Below please find detailed step-by-step application instructions. Please read all of the materials regarding the application process thoroughly. If you still have questions, please feel free to contact the Biology Joint Doctoral Administrator at biojtdoc@sdsu.edu
Fall 2026 Deadlines
Cal State Apply Application – December 1, 2025
Submit Transcripts & Test Scores Graduate Admissions – December 15, 2025
Biology Slate Program Application – December 15, 2025
UCSD application – December 15, 2025