Spring 2021 Deadlines & Commencement
February 15: Graduation Application Deadline
April 3: Format Check Deadline
April 8: Defense Deadline
April 18: Final Submission Deadline for Thesis/Dissertation
May 7: Commencement Exercises, 6 p.m., (Details)
May 8: Commencement Exercises, 9:30 a.m., (Details)
May 8: Doctoral Hooding Ceremony, 2:30 p.m., (Details )
May 15: In-Person Recognition Ceremony for 2020 Graduates, 9:30 a.m., (Details)
Summer 2021 Deadlines & Commencement
July 10: Format Check Deadline for Thesis/Dissertation
July 15: Defense Deadline
July 19: Graduation Application Deadline
July 25: Final Submission Deadline for Thesis/Dissertation
August 15: Summer Graduation (no ceremony)
Fall 2021 Deadlines & Commencement
November 8: Format Check Deadline
November 13: Defense Deadline
November 23: Final Submission Deadline for Thesis/Dissertation
December 13: Commencement Exercises, (Tentative, Details TBA)
December 13: Doctoral Hooding Ceremony, (Tentative, Details TBA)
Steps to Doctoral Degree
Your degree program may have additional requirements and deadlines, such as a language
proficiency exam. Check with your advisor about specific degree requirements for your
program of study.
1. Choose Your Committees
Your Doctoral Advisory, Comprehensive Examination and Dissertation Committees may
be appointed at the same time.
When should this be completed?
Doctoral Advisory Committee
Should be appointed by the end of your first term of enrollment.
Comprehensive Exam Committee
Should be approved before or when your comprehensive exam is scheduled.
Dissertation Committee
Should be approved before you enroll in your first Dissertation Preparation hours.
2. Complete Admission to Candidacy Procedures
Sign up for the Qualifying Exam
All candidates for a Doctoral degree must take the Qualifying Exam. Sign up with your
program's graduate director.
You must submit your approved program of study to the Graduate School.
Make any adjustments to your program of study using this form.
When should this be completed?
At least 60 days before you receive your degree.
3. Complete Program Requirements
Course Requirements
Check with your program for specific course requirements.
Comprehensive Exam
All candidates for a doctoral degree must pass a written and oral comprehensive examination
conducted by your academic program under the direction of your Written and Oral Comprehensive
Examination Committee.
When should this be completed?
By your final term of study.
4. Submit Dissertation Draft & Schedule Defense
Submit Dissertation Draft
You should submit your dissertation draft to your advisor and your thesis committee.
Schedule Your Defense
Schedule your dissertation defense with your advisor and thesis committee.
When should this be completed?
Refer to your committee for your dissertation draft due date. See deadlines on the
Graduate School calendar to schedule a defense and submit an announcement through your department..
5. Check Dissertation Format
Formatting Requirements »
The Graduate School has very specific formatting requirements for your thesis. Check
that your formatting is correct before you submit your thesis or you will be required
to reformat and resubmit.
When should this be completed?
In your final term of study before you submit your dissertation. See deadlines on
the Graduate School calendar for specific dates.
6. Complete Dissertation Defense
Complete your dissertation defense, and make any final revisions required by your
Committee and the Graduate School.
When should this be completed?
In your final term of study before you submit your dissertation. See deadlines on
the Graduate School calendar for specific dates.
7. Submit Dissertation
Be sure your dissertation is properly formatted according to Graduate School requirements
before you submit or you will be required to reformat it.
Formatting & Submission Requirements »
When should this be completed?
In your final term of study. See deadlines on the Graduate School calendar for specific dates.
8. Submit Signature & Approval Form and Survey of Earned Doctorates
Deliver your completed form and documentation of completion of the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) in an envelope or folder marked G-DSF/SED.
How to Address Your Envelope
Attn: [Graduate School Coordinator for Your Program]
The Graduate School
1705 College Street
Suite 552
Close-Hipp Building
Columbia, SC 29208
Make sure your envelope is also marked G-DSF/SED.
When should this be completed?
In your final term of study.
9. Apply for Graduation
Apply on Self-Service Carolina. Click the "Apply to Graduate" link under the "Student" tab.
When should this be completed?
In your final term of study.
10. Send Hooding Program Information
Submit information to be printed in the Doctoral Commencement program through the
Graduate Management System student portal. This is required of all doctoral graduates.
When should this be completed?
In your final term of study.
11. Graduate
Congratulations! You made it!