Nondegree enrollment is available to those who possess at least a baccalaureate degree, have no specific degree objective and wish to take courses for personal interest, professional development, certification, or license renewal. Enrollment privileges will not be granted until all application requirements have been met. Nondegree students may take up to 12 credit hours. This privilege, when exhausted, may be renewed at the Graduate School’s discretion. A graduate student who is academically suspended from a University degree program cannot enroll as a nondegree student without the approval of the dean of Graduate Studies.

Note: A non-degree student who later applies to a degree program may apply a maximum of six hours of non-degree credits to a degree program, and only with departmental approval.

Normally, international students may not enroll as nondegree students. On a case-by-case basis, international students may be permitted to enroll as nondegree students if: 1) they are in the United States on a valid visa that will not require the issuance of a new I-20 or DS 2019 by the University of South Carolina; or 2) they are participants in a special academic program recognized by The Graduate School.

Please contact:

Garrick Queen, Director of Admissions
The Graduate School
1705 College Street, Suite 552
Columbia, SC 29208
(Tel.) 803-777-4243
gqueen@mailbox.sc.edu

Note: Nondegree students are not eligible for financial aid or fellowships or assistantships.

Admission Process for Nondegree-Seeking Students

Submission of Application

Nondegree-seeking students applying to the University of South Carolina for the first time must complete the online application process. Applicants should visit to the homepage of The Graduate School, select the Prospective Students tab, and then click on “Apply Now,” or may directly access the application. An account must be created in order to begin the degree application process.

Application Requirements

• Application- A completed application with all requested information and supporting documents supplied.
• Transcripts- Transcripts showing the award of the baccalaureate or higher degree by an accredited college or university. 
• Proof of Degree for Educators- As proof of a degree, an educator may submit a copy of a valid teaching certificate if the certificate clearly indicates that the educator holds at least a bachelor’s degree.
• Please send transcripts and/or a copy of a valid teaching certificate to:

The Graduate School
1705 College Street, Suite 552
Columbia, SC 29208

or

gradapp@mailbox.sc.edu

• Proof of Degree for Educators- As proof of a degree, an educator may submit a copy of a valid teaching certificate if the certificate clearly indicates that the educator holds at least a bachelor’s degree.

Application Fees

A nonrefundable application fee of $50 is required of all first-time applicants to The Graduate School. If previously enrolled as a nondegree student at USC, do not submit a new nondegree application. Instead submit a Change of Status (COS) form and select “Renew Nondegree Enrollment Privilege.” If you have previously enrolled as a degree-seeking graduate student and would like to establish a first-time non-degree enrollment privilege, do not submit a new nondegree application. Instead submit a Change of Status (COS) form and select “First Time Nondegree Graduate Enrollment Privilege.”

Valid Period of Admission

Students are admitted to the Graduate School for the study specific degree granting program indicated on the application and defined in the letter of acceptance from The Graduate School. An offer of admission to The Graduate School is effective for the term applied. Admission may be deferred for up to four successive terms without reapplication but, a student who fails to enroll within four successive terms must submit a new application and pay a $50 application fee.