GRADUATION INFORMATION

Fall 2008 Commencement Ceremony

Event Details

Date: December 20, 2008
Time: 10:00 a.m. (Note: Students must assemble by 9:00 a.m. in the first floor computer lab. Doors open at 8:30)
Location: Carolina First Center
Tickets: 8 tickets per graduate. Tickets are available at The Graduate Studies Office (310 Randolph Hall) with a picture ID. Please note that all guests will need a ticket to attend the ceremony.
Speakers: Jennet Robinson Alterman, Executive Director of the Center for Women
Parking: LIberty Street Garage. Be sure to show your program for a $3 rate.
Post-Ceremony Reception: Graduates and guests are invited to Liberty Street after the ceremony for a reception honoring their achievement

Deadlines

Wednesday, October 1, 2008: Apply for graduation
Monday, December 8 , 2008: Defend your Thesis and submit online
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 : Order Regalia and Announcements
Friday, December 19, 2008: Last day to pick up tickets at Graduate Studies Office

Spring 2009 Commencement Ceremony

Event Details

Date: Friday, May 8, 2009
Time: 5:00 p.m. (Note: Students must assemble by 4:45 p.m.)
Location: Sottile Theatre
Tickets: TBA
Speakers: TBA
Parking: TBA
Post-Ceremony Reception: TBA

Deadlines

February 1, 2009: Apply for graduation
March 15, 2009: Order Regalia and Announcements
April 27, 2009: Defend your thesis and submit online.

1. Apply for graduation.
   • Graduation applications are only accepted online via CougarTrail
     
     Students who apply after the deadline will have to pay an additional $25 (for a total of $50) and apply in person at the Graduate Studies Office, located in 310 Randolph Hall.
     
     
2. Complete your degree check.
   • Please make certain that the Graduate School Office has a copy of your Program of Study form and any Program of Study Change forms you may have completed.
     
     
   • If you have transfer credit, which has been approved by your program, please make certain that you have ordered an official copy of your transcript to be sent to the Graduate School Office (for students in Education programs) or to your graduate program office (all other programs). Transfer credit needs to be manually applied to your student records and this takes time, so please request any transcripts as soon as possible.
     
     
   • If you are completing a thesis, you must successfully defend your work and submit your thesis online by midnight, Monday, December 8, 2008
     
     
   • If comprehensive exams are required for your program, please arrange to take the exam on the scheduled dates.
     
     
   • For information or questions regarding your degree check or graduation, email Graduation.
     
     
3. Take the financial aid interview.
   • Please note that if you paid for any part of your graduate education with loans, you must complete the online exit interview. Your pin number is the same as your FAFSA pin number. Contact FAFSA if you have forgotten your pin.
     
     
4. Purchase Graduation Regalia.
   • Purchase by Wednesday, October 15, 2008 from The College Bookstore. Complete your order form here. The costs for matte finish academic regalia are listed below (prices are subject to change and do not include SC sales tax.)
     • Cap, Gown & Tassel: $31.85
     • Ladies White Collar: No Charge
     • Master Hood: $26.65
     • Additional Tassel: $4.10
     • Jumbo Tassel: $4.90
   • Ladies will receive a white collar at the Bookstore register when making the purchase of your complete regalia.
   • Please do not purchase flowers for the commencement ceremony! Master's candidates do not carry flowers during the ceremony.
   • Bring all items with you to Graduation - students do NOT need to drop off their hood at the Graduate School office.
   • Check your regalia - Before Graduation, open and check your regalia to ensure you have all items and the correct color hood. The color of your program's hood is designated below:
     • Accountancy - Drab
     • Bilingual Legal Interpreting - White
     • Computer & Information Sciences - Gold
     • Education - Light Blue
     • English - White
     • Environmental Studies - Gold
     • History - White
     • Marine Biology - Gold
     • Mathematics - Gold
     • Public Administration - Peacock Blue
     
     
5. Purchase Graduation Announcements.
   • Order your ceremony announcements by Wednesday, October 15, , 2008. You can place your order with Balfour at www.balfour.com Please make sure you order College of Charleston (as the school), and select "Graduate Invitations" prior to checkout.

If you have completed your certificate program, complete the Certificate Completion Application and submit it to the Graduate School Office along with a check for $25 made payable to the College of Charleston.

If you are a Master of Public Administration degree candidate, you will also need to complete additional forms for USC. Visit Ms. Margaret Bonifay at the office of the Master of Public Administration Program located at 14 Coming Street.

Diploma re-order form. If you have already received a diploma and would like a replacement, please print out the diploma reorder form and turn it in to the Graduate School Office.

Diplomas: Will be mailed to the student's permanent address. (Students need to notify the Graduate School if they want their diploma mailed to a different address)

Diploma Framing: The College Bookstore offers diploma framing. Contact them for more information

Graduation Photographer: Chappell is the graduation photographer. Chappell's new web site allows graduates to go online to view their proofs and place photo orders, typically within a week following the ceremony. For more information go to: www.chappell.com/home.cfm.

Hometown News: Marketing and Communications at the College of Charleston regularly distributes News Releases announcing graduation, awards, offices held and other student accomplishments. Click here to learn more and complete form.