The Graduate School has requirements that apply to all applicants. Required Application Materials for All Departments can be found on the Apply page.

In addition to the Graduate School requirements, each of our programs sets its own application requirements and deadlines. If you have specific questions about the requirements, contact the program you are interested in directly. Find your program and contact information on the Degree Programs and Application Requirements page.

Funding is administered by our individual academic programs. Please contact your program of interest directly to discuss the possibility of any assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. Find your program and contact information on the Degree Programs and Application Requirements page.

Yes, but we strongly recommend you focus on the program that best fits your interests and career objectives. Submitting multiple applications without carefully considering the competitiveness of each application based on your fit with each program is not a sound strategy for gaining admission to any program. If you do choose to submit multiple applications, you will be required to submit unique supporting documents for each application. We cannot transfer letters of recommendation, personal statements, resumes/CVs, writing samples, etc. from one application to another.

You may apply before we receive your scores. We will add your scores to your submitted application once we receive them. Note that it can take the testing service 10-15 days to process and send your scores to us. Refer to the checklist associated with your application.

All international applicants are required to provide English language proficiency exam scores unless they are from a country where English is an official language, or they have earned a degree in a country where English is an official language. We do not waive the requirement based solely on language of instruction. If you earned a degree where the language of instruction was English in a country where English is not an official language, then you will be required to submit scores.

A list of exempt countries can be found here.

Our departments have the discretion to require English language proficiency exam scores from an applicant regardless of your country of origin. Please check with your program of interest if you have questions about this requirement.

• TOEFL (link to site): Minimum score of 80 for internet-based tests
  • TOEFL iBT
  • TOEFL iBT Home Edition
  • TOEFL iBT Paper Edition
• IELTS International Academic Course Type 2 (link): Minimum score of 6.5
• PTE Academic (link): Minimum score of 53
• Duolingo (link): Minimum score of 120

You must submit official test scores directly from the testing service. Language test scores are valid for two years. Copies of scores are not considered official. Use the following codes for USC:

• TOEFL: 5818
• IELTS: No numerical code. Choose “University of South Carolina, Columbia Graduate Admissions” for electronic delivery.
• PTE: University of South Carolina
• Duolingo: University of South Carolina Graduate Admissions

Credentials should preferably be submitted at the point of application. If they are not submitted at the time of application, the student may be eligible for pending admission, but will not be officially admitted until the evaluation, transcript(s), and proof of degree(s) are received. Student will be notified of “pending admission”. Please allow plenty of time for your documents to be evaluated by the NACES accredited agency.  Detailed information can be found on the Official Transcript page.

Unfortunately, we are unable to troubleshoot this issue. Our application vendor, CollegeNET, can assist you or your recommender if you email them at lor_help@collegenet.com. Please contact your program office if your program is not using the CollegeNet ApplyWeb application.

Admitted international students will work with International Student and Scholar Support to obtain an I-20 and to apply for the student visa at a U.S. Consulate. International Student and Scholar Support will reach out to you with further details about the financial requirements and other materials needed after you have been admitted to USC. For more information, visit the International Student and Scholar Support website.

Official transcripts include both grade sheets and final degree certificates (not provisional certificates). Applicants submitting international academic credentials must have their credentials evaluated for equivalency to U.S. accredited coursework on a course-by-course basis by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). The course-by-course evaluation, transcript(s), and proof of degree(s) should preferably be submitted at the point of application. If they are not submitted at the time of application, the student may be eligible for pending admission, but will not be officially admitted until the evaluation, transcript(s), and proof of degree(s) are received. Student will be notified of “pending admission”. Please allow plenty of time for your documents to be evaluated by the NACES accredited agency.

If you have also attended a university in the United States, information on submitting transcripts is included on the Official transcript page.

The evaluation service provider should send the required materials directly to the Graduate School either electronically to gradapp@mailbox.sc.edu or physically to:

Graduate School
1705 College Street
Close-Hipp Suite 552
Columbia, SC 29208

International transcripts are only accepted when submitted through an approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) along with the course-by-course evaluation. 

The NACES Member Agencies which offer to provide transcripts and proof of degree documentation as supporting materials with their course-by-course evaluations are:

• WES (World Education Services) – provide transcripts when using WES-ICAP
• ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) – provide transcripts when using ECE Dispatch
• Educational Perspectives - provides transcripts when sent electronically
• Josef Silny & Associates
• SpanTran (The Evaluation Company)
• IEE (International Education Evaluations)

Refer to your admission letter to make sure you have satisfied all conditions associated with your admission. Once any submitted documents are processed, the appropriate university office will lift the associated hold(s) on your account.