• Things To Do After Applying To Graduate

College Home / The Graduate School / Current Students / Graduation Information

The Application

Graduation applications are due October 15 and must be completed online via MyCharleston. 

• Log in to MyCharleston
• Click on the Academic Services tab
• Click on the Banner Self Service Link
• Click on 'Student' and then 'Student Records'
• Click on 'Apply to Graduate'

After you submit your application, your eBill account will show a graduation fee of $25 for each degree and/or certificate you plan to earn.

Students who miss the deadline will have to pay an additional $25 (for a total of $50) and they must apply in person at the Graduate School.

In order to be eligible for fall graduation, you must be enrolled in at least one credit hour during the fall term. Fall graduates receive diplomas and/or certificates with a graduation date of December 19, 2020.

The Ceremony

The December Commencement ceremony has been canceled.  Fall graduates are eligible to participate in the Spring 2021 ceremony, currently scheduled for Friday, May 7. 

MASTER'S CANDIDATES ONLY.  BACHELOR'S CANDIDATES CONTACT graduation@cofc.edu.

Fall 2020 graduates who indicated they want to participate in December Commencement will be included in May Commencement updates during the spring semester. 

Fall 2020 graduates who indicated they did not want to participate in December Commencement, but want to particpate in May Commencement should contact Robyn Olejniczak.

Spring or Summer 2020 graduates who want to participate in May Commencement must contact Robyn Olejniczak. 

Tickets

Each graduate student is eligible to receive TBD tickets.  Tickets will be available online using MyCharleston beginning on TBD.  Students who have selected to participate will receive an email with instructions on how to access the ticket portal.  The ticket portal will close on TBD and students will not be able to claim tickets after that point.

Every guest who enters the Cistern Yard will be required to have a ticket for the Friday afternoon ceremony.  This includes all children regardless of age and anyone sitting in the handicap section.  Those with small children or mobility issues are encouraged to use the satellite viewing locations.

Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipients

Commencement Speaker & Honorary Degree Recipients: TBD for Spring Commencement

Parking

Graduates and guests can park at one of the public garages near campus.  The closest garages are at the Gailliard Center, located at 32 Alexander Street, and the George Garage, located at 34 St. Philip Street.  Those attending Commencement can pay a special rate of $5 in these garages.  Please note that parking garage attendants will only accept cash upon entering.

Handicap accessible parking is available in any parking garage staffed with a cashier or at any city meter, and is free of charge to persons with valid state-issued handicap placards. Accessible parking is available to visitors on campus in marked handicap accessible spaces after 4pm Monday through Friday, and all day on Saturday and Sunday. A state-issued handicapped placard must be properly displayed on any vehicle parked in an accessible parking space during these times.

Please refer to the College of Charleston parking map for exact locations.

Alcohol and Tobacco Policy

The College of Charleston observes a strict no-alcohol or other drugs policy prior to and during the commencement ceremonies. Ceremony participants, graduation candidates and guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages or other drugs onto the premises or consuming alcoholic beverages during the ceremonies. Any person determined by College personnel to be impaired will be removed from the premises and prohibited from participating in the ceremony.

Use of all tobacco products is prohibited in all College-owned or leased buildings; in all buildings on College-owned or leased land; on all College-owned or leased property, including outdoor seating areas; and in all College-owned, leased, and rented vehicles. Use of tobacco products is prohibited in all those places here identified, including but not limited to, offices (including private offices), classrooms, laboratories, stairwells, elevators, restrooms, hallways, porches and piazzas, rooftops, indoor and outdoor athletic facilities, residence halls and historic properties, shuttle buses, shuttle bus stops, parking structures and parking areas on College-owned or College-leased property, sidewalks on College-owned or College-leased property, lobbies and waiting areas, outdoor benches, green spaces on campus, and other common areas. View the Alcohol and Tobacco Policy.