The Graduate Committee consists of three faculty members. The coordinator of the graduate program is appointed by the department chair and serves as a member of the committee. Two other members of the committee are elected by the department faculty. The graduate committee also includes a student member, who has completed at least 12 graduate hours in history at Clemson University and is elected by the graduate students no later than September 10 of each fall semester. The student member has full voice and vote in all committee discussions which do not relate to specific graduate students.

The Graduate Committee generally oversees the graduate program. Specifically, it proposes, reviews, and recommends changes in the graduate program, including curriculum, academic standards, admissions, and degree requirements; chooses candidates for graduate assistantships and recommends them to the department chair; and, in conjunction with the department chair, determines graduate course offerings each year.  It also makes a yearly review of admissions standards and procedures.