Step 1: Select Your Program and Start Term

Deadlines vary for domestic and international students, and also by department. We encourage applicants to contact academic departments and programs for additional information. Click here for a list of programs with contact information.

In general, applications for degree seekers should be completed and submitted no later than 5 weeks prior to the first day of class. However, some programs have earlier deadlines. Degree seeking applicants are encouraged to contact the program coordinator for specific program application deadlines and further support materials.

Some programs have application deadlines or restrict admission to fall semester only. Please contact your proposed program of study directly for complete details and any questions you have about specific support materials. Your application will remain active for one calendar year beyond the initial entrance date you’ve selected on your application. However, departments and programs reserve the right to deny deferred admission because of limited space and/or resources. If you want to defer enrollment to a later term, you must request and receive approval for such action from your department or program.

Admission for faculty, staff, and employees of Clemson University is subject to the same deadline requirements and department approval as all other applicants. 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 they’re employed.

Applicants are required to meet two sets of minimum requirements for admission: those of the Graduate School and those of the specific graduate program.

Clemson University Graduate School’s minimum requirements
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.

Applicants 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; or 2) a satisfactory score on the IELTS exam; or 3) a satisfactory score on the PTE Academic exam; or 4) 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 5) completion of an approved ESL program. Any waiver on language proficiency must be approved by the dean of the Graduate School. See Guidelines for English language proficiency exemptions.

Graduate program requirements
Requirements vary by program. Please visit your selected graduate program’s website or contact the program to determine its minimum requirements. Some programs allow new graduate students to take undergraduate courses to better prepare for graduate coursework. Please contact your program of interest to see if this would be an option or requirement.

To ensure timely issuance of Certificates of Eligibility (the I-20 and DS-2019), international applicants should complete their applications by April 15 for fall semester enrollment, September 15 for spring semester enrollment, and February 1 for summer enrollment.