The UCSB Department of Geography’s joint PhD program with the Department of Geography at San Diego State University is distinctive in that it brings together two outstanding departments that complement each other. California State Universities do not offer stand-alone doctoral programs. The joint doctoral program thereby provides mutual benefits for two of the strongest research-oriented Geography departments in the US: The program increases SDSU’s attractiveness to their students by permitting them to pursue a doctorate, and, in turn, it allows UCSB to increase its exposure to a more diverse set of gifted students. Students conduct a majority of their studies at SDSU but are required to attend UCSB for one year where they will work more directly with their UCSB faculty advisors and take advantage of class offerings at UCSB that are not present at SDSU. This allows students to draw upon the strengths of two highly rated Geography programs.
To participate in the Joint Doctoral Program, applicants must be accepted by both the UCSB Department of Geography and the SDSU Department of Geography. For a description of and general information about the Joint Doctoral Program, refer to the following website: https://geography.sdsu.edu/doctoral.
Mailing Address
Department of Geography
University of California, Santa Barbara
Ellison Hall, Room 1831
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-4060
(USA)
Department Phone Number
(805) 893-4944
Degrees Offered
PhD
Deadlines
Fall Only:
- May 1, 2025 (by 11:59 PM PST)
Requirements
- Applicants must apply electronically via the San Diego State University application at http://grad.sdsu.edu/prospective_students/program_applications by December 15 and complete the UCSB Geography Department program application at https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/eapp by May 1, 2024
- SDSU will provide the submitted application materials to UCSB
- Send official English Language Exam Scores (if applicable) to both institutions. UCSB requirements are TOEFL Internet-Based Test (IBT) total score of 100, or TOEFL Paper-Based Test (PBT) total score of 600, or IELTS Overall Band score of 7, or Duolingo English Test total score of 120, or higher
- Applicants will submit the UCSB online application once they have been admitted to the program. Consult the Geography Departments at SDSU and UCSB for further, detailed instructions.
- Final/Official transcripts will be required for all applicants who are admitted and have indicated their intent to enroll at UC Santa Barbara by submitting a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR). UC Santa Barbara reserves the right to require official transcripts at any time during the admissions process, and rescind any offer of admission made if discrepancies between uploaded and official transcript(s) are found.
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