Admission Procedures
Application Deadlines
Application Fee and Time Limit
Duplication of Higher Degrees
Medical Requirements
Disposition of Application Materials
Appeal of Denied Admission
Enrollment in Graduate Courses
| Deadlines |
April 15
September 15
| Resources |
Admission Procedures
Applicants may apply by submitting an electronic application. Detailed instructions for both applications are provided here.
Application Deadlines
Application for admission of United States citizens and residents should be received no later than five weeks prior to registration. This means that every required item in support of the application (completed application form, application fee, transcripts from each post-secondary school attended, letters of recommendation and test scores) must be on file with the Graduate School by this date. Applicants to programs requiring standardized test scores should complete these examinations at least 12 weeks before registration. A number of programs have earlier deadlines or restrict admission to fall semester only. Students are advised to contact the department for the deadlines of the program of proposed study.
Unless all admission credentials reach the Graduate School at least five weeks prior to registration, an acceptance cannot be guaranteed. Students applying to a graduate major significantly different from their undergraduate major may anticipate a longer period of time for a decision.
Applications for admission of prospective international students should be completed by April 15 and September 15 (some departments may have earlier deadlines; check with your department to confirm these deadlines) for registration in the fall and spring semesters, respectively . This means that every required item in support of the application (completed application form, application fee, transcripts from each post-secondary school attended, letters of recommendation, test scores and financial certificate) must be on file with the Graduate School by these dates. The actual application should have been on file at least four weeks in advance of these dates. Thus, international applicants living outside the United States should complete the required standardized tests at least three months prior to April 15 or September 15, as appropriate. Issuance of form I-20 or form IAP-66 for a student visa will normally be completed no later than June 1 and October 15 for registration in the fall and spring semesters, respectively. These dates apply to international applicants from abroad. Initial enrollment of international students in the summer sessions is strongly discouraged and is permitted only on rare occasions.
Application Fee and Time Limit
For applicants wishing to enroll in the Graduate School, a nonrefundable fee of $55* is required. You have the option of paying by credit or debit card, or electronic check (US banks only), when you submit the electronic application. Generally, acceptance under an application is valid for one year beyond the initial date desired for enrollment inclusive. However, departments and programs reserve the right to deny deferred admission because of limited space and/or resources. Thus, students wishing to defer enrollment must request and receive approval for such action from the respective department or program. Graduate School alumni who apply more than one year following the date of their graduation will be required to pay an application fee.
* Subject to change.
Duplication of Higher Degrees
The duplication of higher degrees is discouraged on the same basis as the duplication of the bachelor's degree. Thus, a student holding a master's degree may not as a rule become a candidate for another master's degree in the same field of study. Nor may the holder of a master's degree in the same field of study, received at another institution, become a candidate for another master's degree in the same field at Clemson.
Medical Requirements
Graduate students entering Clemson University for the first time must submit an on-line medical history form, available at http://stuaff.clemson.edu/redfern/content/policy.php. Documentation of two red measles (rubeola) vaccinations on or after the student’s birthday is required. Students born before January 1, 1957, are exempt from the measles requirement. A tuberculin skin test (PPD) is required only of students coming from countries identified by the Centers for Disease Control as having a high for tuberculosis. Students will be screened upon arrival at Clemson. Students not in compliance immunization requirements will not be allowed to complete registration.
Disposition of Application Materials
Credentials or supporting materials submitted for admission to the Graduate School become the property of the University and are not returned. Furthermore, no copies will be provided to a third party outside the University even if the applicant requests this release. Copies will be provided to appropriate offices at the University in the interest of academic matters or financial awards relative to the applicant.
Appeal of Denied Admission
An applicant may appeal if he/she believes that admission was unfairly denied. Notice of intention to appeal must be filed in writing with the Graduate School within 30 days of the date of the letter indicating rejection, and no later than three days prior to the first day of classes of the semester of intended first enrollment.
