Academic renewal

Policy:  A student who was dismissed from the Graduate School for a grade point deficiency and who has not enrolled for a period of two or more academic years may apply 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 and no credits passed, or their attending quality points, will be available to the student for a degree at Clemson.  Courses taken previously may not be revalidated by special examination to count towards the degree.  The previous record will remain on the transcript as well as the notation of “readmission under the policy of academic renewal.”  Academic renewal may occur only once.

Procedure for student:  A student desiring to be readmitted under the requirements of academic renewal should contact the coordinator of the program of interest and the director of graduate admissions to discuss the policy and procedures associated with this status.  Approval of readmission under academic renewal will be determined by the department.  A new application, all documentation and the prevailing application fee must be submitted.

Academic requirements for admission, general

Faculty in the admitting programs recommend students for admission to the Graduate School after they have made an assessment of each prospective graduate student’s potential as presented through previous academic records (undergraduate and graduate transcripts), standardized test scores, letters of recommendation from former faculty, the student’s statement of purpose, materials indicating the applicant’s ability to perform independent research in the discipline and, when relevant, personal interviews, the student’s portfolio and/or past work experience.  While this varies from program to program, typically, graduate programs evaluate all undergraduate transcripts paying closest attention to the grades earned in the last 60 hours of coursework.  The grade point ratio of prior graduate work, however, is typically evaluated using all coursework except research and/or courses graded on a pass/fail basis. 

The faculty of each program has significant discretion to determine admission standards and class size based on availability of academic advisors, financial support, laboratory space, student distribution within interest areas, and other resource considerations. The Graduate School reserves the right to require additional indicators prior to reaching an admission decision.  Neither an academic record exceeding minimum requirements, satisfactory scores on standardized tests, nor professional expertise alone will assure an applicant’s admission in this competitive environment.  Rather the overall record must indicate the strong likelihood of successfully completing graduate study.

Academic requirements for admission, GMAT

GMAT – Graduate Management Admission Test.  The GMAT is required for admission into the Master of Arts in economics, the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy in management, and the professional programs in accounting and business administration.

Academic requirements for admission, GRE

GRE – Graduate Record Examination.  The general portion of the GRE is typically required for admission to the Master of Arts, Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Education degrees.  The general portion of the GRE may also be used in lieu of the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) for admission to the Master of Arts in economics and for the Master of Science or the Doctor of Philosophy degrees in management.

Academic requirements for admission, IELTS (see also “Academic requirements for admission, TOEFL”)

IELTS – International English Language Testing System.  International students whose native language is not English may submit a satisfactory score on the IELTS exam if the admitting department or program has approved use of this exam for verifying English proficiency.  Approval to submit scores from the IELTS must be secured in writing from the graduate coordinator of the program prior to submitting this examination score for admission consideration.

 Academic requirements for admission, previous academic work

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 not be transferred to Clemson University.  Up to 12 credit hours of coursework may be transferred to a master’s degree and 48 credit hours of coursework may be transferred to a doctoral degree.  All credits transferred to Clemson’s graduate programs must have been completed at a regionally-accredited institution.

Academic requirements for admission, previous degrees

In general, admission to any of Clemson’s graduate programs requires that prospective students hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an approved institution whose scholastic rating is satisfactory to the University, or an equivalent degree from an institution operating under the Bologna process whose scholastic rating is satisfactory to the University.  Prospective students must have the approval of the appropriate department chair or program coordinator to be recommended for admission. 

Academic requirements for admission, professional experience

Admission criteria, recommended by the individual colleges awarding the degree, may require professional experience and/or credentials as well as scores from a relevant standardized test.

Academic requirements for admission, standardized tests, general

Policy:  Standardized tests.  Standardized tests are required for admission into most of Clemson’s graduate programs.  Standardized exams are used as one measure of assessment of a student’s potential to satisfactorily complete graduate work.  Once admitted to the University, students cannot be required to take or retake any portion of a standardized exam.  Minimum or cutoff scores cannot be required for admission to any of Clemson’s graduate programs.  GRE and GMAT exams more than five (5) years old and TOEFL or IELTS exams more than two (2) years old will not be accepted. 

Procedure for student:  Standardized test scores must be submitted to Clemson University’s Office of Graduate Admission from the administering agency. 

Academic requirements for admission, TOEFL (see also “Academic requirements for admission, IELTS”)

TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language.  International students whose native language is not English must demonstrate competency in written and spoken English.  Competency may be demonstrated by presenting 1) a satisfactory score on the TOEFL exam; 2) documentation of having received a previous undergraduate or graduate degree from a U.S. institution or an institution where the language of instruction was English; or 3) a satisfactory score on the IELTS exam.  Any policy waiver on language of instruction must be approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.

Admission appeals 

Policy:  It is the policy of the Graduate School to respond to all students who request review of the decisions of the faculty of the academic programs to deny admission if they feel the admission decision was made unfairly or improperly.  Appeals are heard by the Graduate Admissions and Continuing Enrollment Appeals Committee.

Procedure for student:  These procedures must be followed for a student wishing to appeal a decision of denied admission:

1.    An appeal of denied admission must be submitted in writing by the graduate student within 30 days of the date of the letter indicating rejection or at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the term in which he/she desires to begin classes, whichever is earlier.

2.    The student should submit the written statement to the Graduate School requesting the appeal on Form GS-Appeal and provide evidence that the admission decision was unfairly or improperly rendered.  Any documentation for the Graduate Admissions and Continuing Enrollment Appeals Committee to consider should be attached to this form.

3.    Within three days of receipt, the Graduate School will make available to the committee the student’s appeal request and the complete admission file (application; transcript[s]; supporting documents).  The Graduate School will also provide the graduate program coordinator with a copy of the student’s appeal.

4.    The Graduate School will identify the earliest hearing date, will schedule the meeting, reserve the room and notify all parties of the time and location of the hearing.

5.    The Graduate School’s dean’s designee will attend the hearings to provide procedural guidance but will have no vote in the decision of the committee.

6.    The student will be called in first by the chair of the committee to present his/her case.  Following conclusion of the student’s presentation, he/she will be excused.

7.    The faculty representing the graduate program will be called in next by the chair of the committee to present the rationale of the program for denying admission.  This faculty member may bring to the meeting any relevant documents to share with the members of the committee.  These documents will be retained with the case in accordance with the University’s regulations on retention.

8.    The committee will make a decision on the case, which will be communicated immediately to the student and the program coordinator.  This communication will be in the form of an e-mail notification.  A letter, under the signature of the Graduate School, will also be mailed to each party.

9.    Appeals of the decisions of the committee may be made by the student to the Dean of the Graduate School within 10 days of the decision of the committee.

10.    Within 15 days, the graduate dean will render a final decision for the University on admission appeals and will communicate the same to each party and to the members of the committee.

Admission classifications

Policy:  Applicants admitted to Clemson University’s graduate programs will be classified as fully admitted students.  This means that the applicant’s credentials equal or exceed minimum admission criteria prescribed for the particular degree.  At the discretion of the admitting program or department, however, fully admitted students may be required to complete specified conditions either within the first semester of enrollment or prior to receipt of a graduate degree from Clemson.  Specified conditions, which provide the documentation necessary to verify appropriate background, may include, but not be limited to: providing undergraduate degree certification, an official copy of a final transcript or final diploma, or completing undergraduate co-requisites as determined by the admitting department/program.  Special conditions requiring the student to provide undergraduate degree certification, and/or an official copy of a final transcript or final diploma will be identified in the letter of admission.  All other special conditions will be identified in correspondence provided by the admitting department/program.

Procedure for student:  Within the first semester of enrollment, if the final transcript indicating the awarding of the baccalaureate and/or graduate degree was not available at the time the admissions offer was made, official transcripts specifying the awarding of a degree must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office.  Request that the registrar’s office at each institution previously attended provide official transcripts in sealed envelopes with an official signature over the seal.  Clemson University transcripts do not need to be requested.  Transcripts should be mailed to Clemson University at the following address:  Clemson University Graduate Admissions Office, E-209 Martin Hall, Clemson, South Carolina 29634 U.S.A.  Students failing to provide the appropriate documentation within the first semester of enrollment may be prohibited from enrolling in subsequent semesters until the necessary documentation is received.

Admission office

The Office of Graduate Admissions is located at E-209 Martin Hall; telephone, (864) 656-3195; fax, (864) 656-4723 (656-GRAD); or grdapp@clemson.edu.  The staff of the Office of Graduate Admissions is available to answer questions concerning the processing of application materials received, the academic requirements for admissions, and the disposition of application materials.  The admission staff is available to assist program faculty as well as students.   Office hours are 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the exception of University holidays. 

Admission policies

The faculty of the various graduate programs and the staff of the Graduate School recommend revisions to the policies that govern the admission process to Clemson’s graduate programs.  Policies of the Graduate School are promulgated and approved through the Graduate Advisory Committee, the Graduate Council and the Provost’s Academic Council.

Admission policies and procedures review

The Graduate Advisory Committee will review the graduate admission policies and procedures annually at the beginning of the fall semester in consultation with the staff of the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Application, dates and deadlines

In general, Clemson follows a rolling admission process, which means that a student may apply at any time for admission consideration.  However, some programs at Clemson have designated program-specific deadlines for receipt of completed applications from prospective students interested in enrollment in a given term.  The graduate program coordinator or the program’s web site will communicate application dates and deadlines.

A critical consideration when determining when to apply for admission is that in many cases faculty identify students for financial assistance (teaching, laboratory and research assistantships or other University fellowships) as they apply.  The Graduate Fellowship and Awards Committee begins making fellowship decisions in January of each calendar year for the subsequent academic year.  Students nominated for these fellowships must have been fully admitted into a program at Clemson.  

Application, dates and deadlines, international students

Typically, the University requests that international students’ applications are completed no later than April 15 for fall semester enrollment and September 15 for spring semester enrollment because international students must consider that additional steps, including receipt of necessary immigration documentation from the University (DS-2019 or I-20 forms), require that the financial certification process be complete prior to issuance of these forms.  Forms I-20 and DS-2019 are normally completed by the Office of International Affairs by June 1 and October 15 for registration in the fall and spring semesters, respectively, to allow the international students adequate time to secure a visa. 

Application, degree seeking students, international

Information, instructions and an on-line application for degree-seeking international students is available on-line at www.grad.clemson.edu/Admission.php; click on “Degree Seeking.”

Application, degree seeking students, U.S. citizens, permanent residents

Information, instructions and an on-line application for degree-seeking students who are U.S. citizens, residents of United States’ territories and permanent residents is available at www.grad.clemson.edu/Admission.php; click on “Degree Seeking.”

Application, forms and types

An on-line application is available at www.grad.clemson.edu/Admission.php.  Applications are valid for one year beyond the initial date desired for enrollment after which the student must submit a new application and pay the application fee at the rate in force at the time of reapplication.  Instructions and relevant deadlines for completing each type of application are included with the application. The type of application being submitted determines the application procedures to follow.  The Graduate School web site, www.grad.clemson.edu, features a section for prospective students, “Frequently Asked Questions,” which can be referenced for assistance or clarification.  Students needing additional information may contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at grdapp@clemson.edu or (864) 656-3195. 

Application, non-degree seeking students

Information about admissions as a non-degree student (individuals not seeking to pursue a graduate degree and students who seek to benefit professionally from additional study at the graduate level) and a link to the on-line application are available at www.grad.clemson.edu/Admission.php.  Click on “Non-Degree Seeking.”  Non-degree seeking students may not become candidates for graduate degrees without first applying to and being admitted into a degree program.  Students may accrue a total of 12 credits in non-degree status and a maximum of 12 credit hours earned while in non-degree status or 12 transfer credits may be applied towards any subsequent Clemson University graduate degree. 

Application, on-line

Detailed information regarding graduate admissions and a link to the on-line application are available at www.grad.clemson.edu/Admission.php.

Application, seniors

Policy:  Seniors.  Clemson University seniors with cumulative grade point averages of 3.0 and above may apply to enroll in any graduate course, subject to approval by the department offering the course and the Graduate School. Approval is required prior to registration and may be obtained by completing and returning Form GS6 (Request for Senior Enrollment) to the Graduate School, E-108 Martin Hall.  The total course workload for the semester must not exceed 18 hours, and the cumulative graduate credits earned by seniors shall not exceed 12 semester hours. 

Procedure for student:  Information about admission as a senior and a link to the appropriate form is available at www.grad.clemson.edu.  The following types of applications are available:  Form GS-6 (Request for Senior Enrollment) for Clemson University seniors with cumulative grade point averages of 3.0 and above who wish to enroll in graduate level coursework and FORM GS-6BS/MS (Application for Seniors) for Clemson University seniors with cumulative grade point averages of 3.4 and above who wish to participate in the combined bachelor’s/master’s degree program option.

Application, University employees

University employees who meet the academic requirements to pursue graduate degrees or who seek to enroll in a non-degree status may access the appropriate application on-line at www.grad.clemson.edu/Admission.php.  (See also Application fee, university employees.)

Application, validity

Policy:  Acceptance under an application is valid for one year (12 months) beyond the initial date desired for enrollment.  Applications initiated but not completed within 12 months will become invalid and an additional application fee will be required. 

Procedure for student:  Should a student wish to defer his/her admission beyond one year, a new application, supporting documentation and the prevailing application fee must be submitted. Application forms are available on-line at www.grad.clemson.edu/Admission.php.

Application fee, currently enrolled students

A nonrefundable application fee of $65.00 (subject to change) is required of Clemson students currently enrolled in a degree program who wish to continue their studies in another Clemson graduate program after completing their initial degree or who wish to enroll in a non-degree status.  A non-degree student who desires to apply for a degree must also pay the application fee.  Applicants who apply electronically may pay the application fee by credit or debit card. 

Application fee, new students

A nonrefundable application fee of $65.00 (subject to change) for each program to which a new applicant applies must be received by the University before the application is processed.  Applicants may pay the fee electronically via check drawn on a U.S. bank, made payable to Clemson University.  Applicants who apply electronically may also pay the application fee by credit or debit card. 

Application fee, non-degree seeking students

A nonrefundable application fee of $55.00 (subject to change) is required of students seeking to enroll in a non-degree status (that is, not seeking a degree).  Applicants may pay the fee electronically via check drawn on a U.S. bank, made payable to Clemson University.  Applicants who apply electronically may also pay the application fee by credit or debit card. 

Application fee, University employees

A nonrefundable application fee of $65.00 (subject to change) is required of students seeking to enroll in either a non-degree or degree-seeking status.  Applicants may pay the fee via check drawn on a U.S. bank, made payable to Clemson University.  Applicants who apply electronically may also pay the application fee by credit or debit card. 

Application fee, waivers

There are a limited number of circumstances that allow a student to submit a graduate application and request a waiver of the application fee.  These include:  a) a participant in the McNair Scholars Program whose grade point ratio minimally is 3.0 and b) a student who has been provided a fee waiver code by a graduate program or the Graduate School.

Procedure for student:  In the event a student requires assistance with paying the application fee, a request should be directed to the graduate program coordinator explaining the circumstances of need.

Applying to Clemson, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

The answers to questions most frequently asked by prospective graduate students may be found on the Clemson University Graduate School’s home page, www.grad.clemson.edu.  Click on the “Apply” tab and then “Frequently Asked Questions.”

Deferred admission

Policy:  Enrollment may be deferred for up to one year for any student who has received an offer of admission from the Graduate School. 

Procedure for student:  Students wishing to defer enrollment must request and receive written approval from the academic program that recommended admission.  This request may be obtained via e-mail by contacting the graduate program coordinator.  The application and supporting materials are valid for one year.  Should a student wish to defer his/her admission beyond one year, a new application, supporting documentation and the prevailing application fee must be submitted (see Application, validity).  International students should notify the Office of International Affairs when approval is received from the admitting program to defer admission. 

Denied admission

Policy:  A student may be denied admission to any of Clemson’s graduate programs if, in the opinion of the faculty or the Graduate School, acceptable potential as a graduate student is not demonstrated through the requirements of the application process. 

Procedure for student:  A student may appeal the decision of denied admission should the student feel the decision was made unfairly or improperly.  (See “Admission appeals” for the full text of the procedures to follows.)

Credentials or supporting materials submitted for admission to the Graduate School become the property of the University and are not returned.  No copies will be provided to third parties outside the University even if the applicant requests this release.  Copies will be provided to appropriate offices at the University, however, in the interest of academic matters or financial awards relative to the applicant.  Applications and supporting documents are retained according to the retention policies of the State of South Carolina.

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.  No copies will be provided to third parties outside the University even if the applicant requests this release.  Copies will be provided to appropriate offices at the University, however, in the interest of academic matters or financial awards relative to the applicant.  Applications and supporting documents are retained according to the retention policies of the State of South Carolina.

Electronic application

The application to Clemson’s graduate programs may be found on-line at www.grad.clemson.edu/Admission.php.

Medical requirements for admission

Policy:  For students born after 1957, documentation of two doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) after the student’s first birthday is required.  Students born before January 1, 1957, are exempt from the measles requirement.  A tuberculin skin test (formerly known as PPD) is required only of students coming from countries identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control as having a high risk for tuberculosis.  Students will be screened upon arrival at Clemson.  Students not in compliance with immunization requirements will not be allowed to complete registration.  For further details, see Redfern Health Center on-line at www.clemson.edu/studentaffairs/redfern.

Procedure for student:  Graduate students entering Clemson for the first time must submit the on-line Medical Clearance Form, available at www.clemson.edu/studentaffairs/redfern/eligreq/medicalclearance.php. For additional details, see Redfern Health Center on-line.

Non-degree major codes

Major codes for students not seeking a degree include:  Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (100); Architecture, Arts and Humanities (200); Education (300); Engineering and Science (400); Business and Public Affairs (500); Health and Human Development (700). 

Non-degree students

Non-degree seeking students are individuals who wish to enroll in graduate courses for a variety of reasons, however, not to become candidates for graduate degrees.  Students may accrue a total of 12 credits in non-degree status.  A maximum of 12 credit hours (earned either in the non-degree status or as transfer credit from another institution) may be applied towards any Clemson University graduate degree into which the student is subsequently admitted.   Non-degree seeking students may apply for this status by accessing the on-line application at:  www.grad.clemson.edu/Admission.php. Click on “Non-Degree Seeking.”

Postbaccalaureate students

This designation for graduate students was eliminated in academic year 2005-06.  

Re-entrance, graduate level

Policy:  Former graduate students who have not maintained continuous enrollment (summers excluded) but who are academically eligible to continue in the degree programs in which they were most recently enrolled may be permitted to return into the degree and major they were in when they last attended Clemson University Graduate School.  No fee is required for re-entrance into the Graduate School.

Procedure for student:  Students who were enrolled within the last two years must complete a Request for Re-entrance, available at www.registrar.clemson.edu/pdf/gradReEnroll.pdf.  Students who were enrolled more than two years but less than six years previously must submit a Request for Re-entrance and all supporting materials.  The request must include any intervening graduate work, and appropriate official transcripts of the work may be required by the Graduate School.  Revalidation of individual courses is at the discretion of the program consistent with the policies on course revalidation and transfer credit.  Students who were not enrolled within the past six years are considered new applicants and must submit a new application, application fee, and all supporting materials to the Office of Graduate Admissions, E-209 Martin Hall, Clemson, SC 29634, (864) 656-3195. 

Re-entrance, undergraduate level

Former graduate students in good standing who are interested in re-entrance at the undergraduate level to pursue an undergraduate degree should contact the University Registrar’s Office for procedures.  Former graduate students interested in pursuing undergraduate coursework only should contact the Undergraduate Admission Office, 105 Sikes Hall, Clemson, SC 29634, (864) 656-2287.

Seniors (see also “Application forms and types, policy:  seniors”)

Clemson University seniors lacking less than a full semester of work to complete the requirements for their bachelor’s degrees, and who have cumulative grade point averages of 3.0 and above, may apply to a graduate program and, if granted conditional acceptance, be allowed to enroll in courses for graduate credit.  See also “Application, seniors.”

Status of admission decision

The faculty of the various graduate programs make recommendations for admission to the Dean of the Graduate School. Admission decisions are communicated officially to students by letter from the Dean of the Graduate School.  Offers of admission are not official until approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.  Applicants are able to view the status of their admission application on line at www.grad.clemson.edu/admission/statusCheck.php.  Under the Application Status Check menu, the “Action Status” will indicate if the admission decision has been made.

Status of application

Students may check the status of receipt of application materials by the staff in the Office of Graduate Admissions by logging onto the Graduate School’s web site at: www.grad.clemson.edu/admission/statusCheck.php.  Concerns about application materials not received may be communicated to the Office of Graduate Admissions at gradapp@clemson.edu, (864) 656-3195.

Teacher certification

The College of Health, Education and Human Development has as one of its primary functions assisting teachers and school administrators to obtain or maintain state certification.  Initial certification, recertification and advance certification are all available through the School of Education’s various programs.  Students may obtain general information about the South Carolina requirements for certification at www.scteachers.org/cert/recert/rc_index.cfm.  Contact the School of Education graduate program coordinator in the College of Health, Education and Human Development for details.  An application fee is required.

Transient Graduate Student

A student who has been admitted to a degree program at another institution and who wishes to take courses for transfer to that institution may be permitted to enroll as a non-degree student in graduate courses on receipt of form GS8, Transient Graduate Student Status, which may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Admissions, E-209 Martin Hall, or on-line at www.clemson.grad.edu/Forms.php (click on “General Forms”). This form, an abbreviated application to the Graduate School, must be presented the Office of Graduate Admissions, E-209 Martin Hall, at least two weeks prior to registration.  A student may earn no more than a total of 12 semester hours while in transient status.

University employees (see also “Application, University employees”)

Policy:  With the approval of the appropriate dean or director, a qualified employee of Clemson University may pursue graduate courses or graduate degrees for credit; however, no member of the faculty or staff who has a rank of instructor or higher may be considered as a candidate for an advanced degree in the academic department where employed.

Procedure for employee:  University employees 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.

Approved by: 

Graduate Advisory, March 29, 2008

Graduate Council, April 25, 2008