Application Information
Degree Seeking- Supporting Materials
Non-Degree Seeking
Non-Degree Seeking Supporting Materials
Other Information
Assessment
Presently Enrolled
Change of Degree
Readmission
Academic Renewal
Duplication of Degrees
Disposition of Materials
Appealing Denied Admission
Current CU Seniors
University Employees
Restrictions
Program Information
Assessment of Previous Academic Work
Clemson graduate programs typically evaluate applicants’ previous undergraduate academic coursework using the total undergraduate grade-point ratio. Departments are at liberty to discount certain courses in assessing an applicant’s academic record. Certain professional programs may use modified versions of the total undergraduate grade-point ratio to satisfy accreditation standards. In evaluating the grade-point ratio of an applicant’s prior graduate work, departments will typically use all graduate coursework except research and/or courses graded on a pass/fail basis. In no cases will grades from a partial-term session or enrollment period be considered. Courses graded on a pass/fail basis and certain electives having no relationship to a curriculum will generally not be considered.
Applicants Presently Enrolled in Graduate School
Students enrolled in a degree program at Clemson University who wish to continue their studies in another graduate program after completing their initial degree objective may apply by submitting a new application to the Graduate School. An application fee is not required if the application is received within one year of completing the initial degree.
Students holding both the bachelor's and master's degrees from Clemson University are encouraged to pursue doctoral programs at other institutions.
Change of Degree Program
Students who have enrolled in a given degree program within the past two calendar years may request a change of major and/or degree without submitting a new application. Instead, the student must submit to the Graduate School Form GS14 endorsed by the department chair(s) or program chairperson(s) of the affected degree program(s). All program and Graduate School requirements must be met before final approval will be granted.
Readmission
A former graduate student who has not maintained continuous enrollment (summers excluded), but who is academically eligible to continue in the graduate degree program where he/she was most recently enrolled, may be permitted to return. The procedures are dictated by the period of absence from enrollment as follows:
- Six years or less. The student must complete a Graduate Degree-Seeking Application for Re-Entrance (formerly GS36), which may be obtained from the Graduate School or printed from the current student forms page of the Web site. Re-Entrance is at the digression of the department. Students can only be readmitted into the degree and major they were in when they last attended Clemson University Graduate School.
- Six or More Years. A new application and all supporting materials will be required; that is, such persons are considered to be new applicants.
Former graduate students described above who wish to return to Clemson University to pursue an undergraduate degree and/or course work with no immediate plans for graduate work should contact the Registrar's Office for procedures.
A student who was dismissed from the Graduate School for a grade point deficiency and who has not enrolled for a period of four or more academic years may apply to the Graduate School for readmission under special conditions known as academic renewal. Under these conditions, the previous graduate credits attempted and quality point deficit will not constitute a liability in a new grade point computation. However, no credits passed or their attending quality points will be available to the student for a degree at Clemson, and any courses previously passed may not be validated by special examination. The previous record will appear on the permanent record as well as the notation of readmission under the policy of academic renewal.
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.
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.
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.
Current Seniors at Clemson University
Enrollment in any graduate course is subject to approval by the department offering the course and the Graduate School. This approval is required prior to registration and may be obtained by completing and returning Form GS6 to the Graduate School office. The total course work for the semester must not exceed 18 hours, and the cumulative graduate credits earned by seniors shall not exceed 12 semester hours.
Seniors with a cumulative grade point ratio of 3.0 or higher may enroll in 700- and/or 800-level courses and may choose to use these courses to meet requirements for the bachelor's degree. However, courses used for this purpose cannot be counted later toward an advanced degree. Alternatively, such students may take 600-, 700- or 800-level courses in excess of the requirements for their undergraduate degrees and may request that these courses be included as a part of their graduate program if they are subsequently admitted to Graduate School at Clemson. Courses cannot be taken at the 600-level if their 300- and 400-level counterparts are required for the undergraduate degree in the same academic major as the proposed graduate degree.
A senior with a cumulative grade point ratio less than 3.0 must get permission from the Graduate School. All of the above stipulations apply if granted permission. In all cases, the credits and quality points associated with senior enrollment in graduate courses will be part of the undergraduate record.
Current seniors at Clemson University may also be eligible for the Combined Bachelor’s/Masters Plan. Under this plan, students may reduce the time necessary to earn both degrees by applying graduate credits to both undergraduate and graduate program requirements. To be eligible for this plan, students must have completed their bachelors’ curriculum through their junior year (minimum 89 credits) and have a minimum overall grade-point ration of 3.40. The required application form is the GS6 BSMS FORM. Approval is required by the students’ advisor, Department Chair, Graduate Coordinator of the Masters Program, Undergraduate Dean and the Graduate School. Students should consult individual academic units for specific requirements. Upon completion of the undergraduate degree and meeting the required GPR the student is officially accepted to Graduate School. The Graduate School tracks these students. A letter is then sent informing of the acceptance. The term is then updated as a graduate student. If the GPR requirement has not been met; or if applicant chooses to go into a different program area, then you must apply to the Graduate School following all of the appropriate steps.
Faculty, Staff, & Employees of Clemson University are able to take classes at a reduced tuition rate per semester. These tuition rates are subject to change. Some programs and/or classes are not available at the reduced rate for university employees. Please contact the department to verify if the area you wish to apply to or take classes in offers the reduced rate. See Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual (add link: Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual) for more details regarding the Employee Assistance Program.
Admission for Faculty, Staff, & Employees of Clemson University are subject to the same requirements, department approval and must follow all academic regulations as all applicants. Employees wishing to become a degree seeking student or take classes on a Non-Degree level must complete an application, pay the prevailing application fee and provide all required supporting academic materials, including transcripts, to the Office of Graduate Admissions, E-209 Martin Hall. The application is available on-line at www.grad.clemson.edu/Admission.php.
Upon acceptance into the program, the Bursars office with generate your bill to reflect that you are a university employee. No member of the faculty or staff who has a rank higher than instructor or its equivalent may be considered as a candidate for an advanced degree in the academic department where employed.
Restrictions
Enrollment in any graduate course is subject to approval by the department offering the course and requires permission of the instructor, whether or not such is specifically stated in the course description. To enroll in or receive credit for any courses of the 600 series or above, the student (with the exception of certain seniors) must have been officially admitted by the Graduate School either to a degree program or as a nondegree student.
