Online Application General Information
Student Responsibility
The Graduate Studies Bulletin, the Graduate School's annual publication, includes academic regulations and basic requirements for all graduate degrees offered by the University. Students are responsible for knowing these regulations and requirements for the degree they plan to earn.
The University of South Carolina, as is the case with all accredited universities, reserves the right to decline admissions, suspend, or require the withdrawal of any student when such action is deemed to be in the best interest of the University.
Transcript Requirement
You must send official transcripts for each post-secondary institution attended whether or not a degree or diploma was earned. If possible, transcripts should be sent in an unopened envelope under the Registrar's seal. Where applicable, certified copies may be recognized as official. Do NOT send original documents.
Registration
When you have received official notification of your acceptance from The Graduate School, you should contact the Graduate Director of your program to find out about advisement and registration. Graduate students may register at any campus or online (VIP)for any courses that they are eligible to take.
Transfer Credit
The number of graduate credits from another institution that may be transferred to a graduate program at USC varies, so you should consult your Graduate Director for information about transfer credit.
No Correspondence Credit
The University of South Carolina offers no correspondence courses for graduate credit and does not accept correspondence credit toward a graduate degree.
Financial Assistance
Graduate Assistantships
If you would like to be considered for a graduate assistantship, please indicate that on your application. You may contact the Graduate Director of your program about assistantship opportunities. Students applying for assistantships will be notified about awards by the appropriate college or department.
Graduate Fellowships
If you would like to be considered for a graduate fellowship, please indicate that on your application. Fellowships for graduate study are available in many programs; interested students should contact the Graduate Director in the department or college that administers the award.
Other
Subsidized federal loan programs provide long-term, low-interest, need-based loans to graduate and professional students. Unsubsidized federal loans are similar except eligibility is not based on need and interest payments are not subsidized by the federal government. For more information, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.
International Applicants
Academic Preparation
A graduate of an international university or college who has completed an academic program equivalent to an American bachelor's degree may apply for admission and financial assistance. Equivalent degrees at international universities and colleges are normally four years in length. International applicants are required to submit with their application an official, certified transcript indicating the nature and scope of their academic training. Only international students interested in seeking a degree and pursuing a full course of study are considered for admission.
Language Requirement
An applicant whose native tongue is not English is required to submit a satisfactory score (minimum 570 for paper based testing, 230 for computer based testing and 75 for internet based testing or higher for some programs) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) Academic Course Type 2 exam (minimum score of 6.5, higher for some programs). International applicants who earned a degree (bachelor's or master's) from an accredited US institution are exempt from this requirement. To obtain information about taking the TOEFL you can write to Test of English as a Foreign Language, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08540, U.S.A. or visit their website at www.toefl.org. For information on IELTS, contact Cambridge Examinations and IELTS International, 100 East Corson Street, Suite 200, Pasadena, CA 91103, U.S.A or visit their website at www.ielts.org.
Immigration Requirement
In addition, international applicants are required to submit an Application for Immigration Document and a Certification of Support form before an I-20 or DS-2019 will be issued. If you are transferring from another institution you must complete a Transfer In Form. To download the Immigration Document and the Certification of Support, visit our homepage at www.gradschool.sc.edu. For more information on International Student Services and Immigration, please visit the homepage of the Office of International Programs for Students at www.sa.sc.edu/ips.
Housing
Dormitory rooms, on-campus apartments, and married student housing can be assigned only after you have been accepted by The Graduate School. Applications for housing can be obtained by contacting the Office of Housing, McBryde, 1309 Blossom Street, USC, Columbia, SC 29208.
Important Phone/FAX and Email Information |
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| Name | Phone | Fax | |
| Career Center | 803-777-7280 | 803-777-7556 | career@sc.edu |
| Graduate and Family Housing | 803-777-3157 | 803-777-4349 | fam_grad@gwm.sc.edu |
| The Graduate School | 803-777-4243 | 803-777-2972 | gradapp@gwm.sc.edu |
| The Graduate Student Association | 803-777-2477 | 803-777-2972 | gsa@gwm.sc.edu |
| Legal Residency Office | 803-777-4060 | 803-777-7953 | bursar-legalresidency@sc.edu |
| Extended Graduate Campus | 800-922-2577 | 803-777-1291 | question@gwm.sc.edu |
| Student Financial Aid & Scholarships | 803-777-8134 | 803-777-0941 | USCFAID@sc.edu |
| Registrar's Office | 803-777-5555 | 803-777-6349 | http://registrar.sc.edu/html/JASON/ |
| Testing Services | 803-777-2780 | 803-777-9065 | usctesting@gwm.sc.edu |
| Thomson Student Health Center | 803-777-9511 | 803-777-0126 | tda@sc.edu |