Fall 2022 Deadlines & Commencement
October 10: Format Check Deadline for Thesis/Dissertation
September 19: Graduation Application Deadline
November 1: Defense Deadline
November 15: Final Submission Deadline
December 12: Commencement, 2:30 p.m., Colonial Life Arena
December 12: Doctoral Commencement, 9:30 a.m., Koger Center
Spring 2023 Deadlines & Commencement
March 1: Format Check Deadline for Thesis/Dissertation
March 10: Graduation Application Deadline
March 21: Defense Deadline
April 4: Final Submission Deadline
May 5: Commencement, 3 p.m., Colonial Life Arena
May 6: Commencement, 9:30 a.m., Colonial Life Arena
May 6: Doctoral Commencement, 1 p.m., Koger Center
May 6: Commencement, 3 p.m., Colonial Life Arena
Summer 2023 Deadlines
July 6: Format Check Deadline for Thesis/Dissertation
July 14: Defense Deadline
July 18: Graduation Application Deadline
July 24: Final Submission Deadline
August 15: Summer Graduation (No Commencement Ceremony)
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
Doctoral Hooding Information Portal. This is required of all doctoral graduates, even if you are not planning to attend
the ceremony.
When should this be completed?
In your final term of study.
11. Graduate
Congratulations! You made it!