Graduation Information
Undergraduate
This information is designed to assist undergraduates who are seeking to earn a bachelor's degree at the College of Charleston. Students should always confer with their advisor to ensure that they are on track to graduate as planned.
Is Commencement the Same as Graduation?
Graduation is the official awarding of degrees. Participation in a commencement ceremony does not equal graduation. Students must meet all graduation requirements before a degree is conferred. Commencement is an end-of-fall or -spring celebration for students projected to successfully complete all of their graduation requirements by the end of that fall, spring or summer semester. The official date the Office of the Registrar awards degrees can be found on the academic calendar. The Commencement website has the most up-to-date information available concerning commencement ceremonies and senior events.
What Do I Need to Do to Graduate?
In order to graduate, ultimately, each student must:
- Complete the degree requirements stipulated in your undergraduate catalog(s), including concentration/cognate or minor if applicable.
- Apply for Graduation via Graduation Application Tile in MyPortal. Click on Apply to Graduate.
To help ensure successful completion of the requirements for graduation, students are advised to:
- Review their Degree Works degree audit with their advisor and determine an expected graduation term.
- Meet with your academic advisor
- Review Graduation Status Notification emails sent to your college issues email account.
How Do I Apply to Graduate?
Degrees: A graduation application is required before a degree can be awarded. There is a one-time graduation application fee of $25 that will be charged to your student account. The application fee includes the cost and shipping of the diploma. Students applying to earn more than one degree will be charged $8 for each additional diploma.
- Click Apply for Graduation for application availability and deadline dates. To apply after the deadline a paper form will be required and a $25 late fee will be added to your regular graduation fee. Contact the Office of the Registrar for assistance if needed.
- A non-refundable $25 LATE FEE will be applied if the Graduation Application is submitted after the deadline. Late applications are available in the Office of the Registrar or contact Graduation@cofc.edu to have one e-mailed to you.
- Pay the Graduation Fee (after you apply to graduate - pay via your eBill account in MyPortal just as you would any other academic fee)
Additional Information
- When you graduate, your name, major(s), and Latin Honors (if applicable) will appear in the College of Charleston Commencement Program even if you have requested the withholding of Directory Information. If you wish to be excluded from the Commencement Program, you must provide your signed, written request to the Registrar’s Office no later than October 1st for the December Commencement and March 1st for the May Commencement.
- A Graduation Update (PDF) form is required if you have applied and need to change your graduation term, diploma address or other information.
- Graduating with Honors (Latin Honors)
- Second Bachelor's Degree Policy (beginning Fall 2008) - please see the Academic Regulations section of the Undergraduate Academic Catalog.
This website is not a substitute for advising. Students should refer to the undergraduate catalog and work with their advisor to ensure successful graduation. Please report errors or send comments to the Graduation Coordinator.
Graduate Students (Master's Candidates)
Master's candidates should refer to the Graduate School's commencement website for information.