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Graduate Admissions

Program Requirements and Deadlines

Requirements and deadlines vary by program, so be sure to contact your program’s coordinator to determine admission requirements. Please click the button below that corresponds to the program of interest to view each program's requirements and deadlines.

Doctoral
Degrees Master’s and Specialist Degrees

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Minimum Requirements for Admission

Applicants must meet two sets of minimum requirements for admission:

  1. Clemson University's Graduate School requirements
  2. Individual program requirements

Clemson University Graduate School’s Minimum Requirements

  • Prospective students must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. For international students, the bachelor’s degree must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree.
  • Prospective students must be recommended for admission by the department and/or program.
  • Some programs allow new graduate students to take undergraduate courses to better prepare for graduate coursework. Contact your program of interest to see if this would be an option or requirement.

Requirements for Non-Native English Speakers

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate competency in written and spoken English.

Competency may be demonstrated by presenting one of the following:

  1. A satisfactory score on the TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or PTE Academic exam
  2. Received or are in the process of completing a degree from a U.S. institution or an institution that instructs solely in English, according to the World Higher Education Database (WHED).
  3. Completion of an approved ESL program

To request a waiver, please contact your program of interest. See guidelines for English language proficiency.

Application Deadlines

Deadlines for applications vary by program. Contact your program for specific application and supporting material deadlines.

Use the Degree Finder to search for your program of interest and find the program coordinator’s contact information.

The available terms are Fall, Spring or Summer*

  • *Start times vary by program

Application Guidelines

Applications and supporting materials must be submitted by the application deadline to be considered for review.

  • Specific dates depend on the program and the student.
  • View International Student Deadlines 

Deadlines — Deferring Your Start Term

To defer your admission to a later term, a change of term must be submitted on your behalf by the program.

Admission can only be deferred for up to one year from the starting term of the original application.

Departments and programs reserve the right to deny a request for deferral.

Deadlines — Faculty and Staff

Deadlines are the same as for all other applicants.

No member of the faculty or staff who has a rank equivalent or higher than instructor may be considered as a candidate for an advanced degree in the academic department where they’re employed.