Welcome to Charleston

Official transcripts are required from every institution where you earned a GPA. Your transcript must verify that you have an earned bachelor's degree, and must come directly from the school of record.

Electronic submission (preferred)

A digital copy is official and final if it is sent:

• directly by your college, university or other institution to admapplicants@cofc.edu.
• through a secure transmission service (eScript, SCOIR, Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, or Docufide).

Paper Copy

The paper transcript must:

• be in an unopened envelope with the original seal of the institution. If the seal is broken, the transcript is no longer considered official and will not be accepted. 
• include an official signature of the appropriate official at the previous college or university, such as the registrar.  
• bear the institutional seal or stamp. 

Mail to:

The Graduate School
College of Charleston
66 George Street
Charleston, S.C. 29424-0001

Note: This is the slowest method of transcript submission and we highly encourage electronic submissions over paper mail.

Transcripts are not considered official under the following circumstances:

• The transcript comes directly from the student.
• The transcript has been opened and the original seal of the university envelope is broken.
• The transcript is a photocopy of the original.
• The transcript was printed by the student.
• The transcript was not produced by the school or university.
• The transcript was translated by the student or a non-professional translation service.
• The transcript is a photo of the official transcript that the student took with their phone.
• The transcript is a scanned PDF of the official transcript sent by the student.

Students will be able to register for courses only after all official transcripts are received. 

If you have opted to include standardized test scores as part of your application, make sure you have requested to have your scores sent to the College of Charleston.

• Scores must be received by June 1 for fall entrance or January 1 for spring entrance.
• Scores must be sent electronically directly from the testing agency to the College of Charleston
• ETS code: 5113 | For the Graduate Records Examination (GRE), Praxis, and TOEFL exams
• GMAC | For Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and Executive Assessment, select College of Charleston
• Pearson | For Miller Analogies Test (MAT), select College of Charleston

The College of Charleston requires students to have three vaccines:

1. MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) Two doses at least 28 days apart for students born after 1956 Dose 1 given at first birthday or later Dose 2 given 28 days after first dose or later 
   
   
2. Quadrivalent Meningitis Vaccine administered at 16 years of age or after (Meningitis Serogroup B vaccine not required) Students over the age of 24 are not required to get a meningitis vaccine if they do not already have one. 
   
   
3. Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) given within the last 10 years. 
   If your immunization records are not issued in English, all immunization records must be translated into English. 

New incoming students who are not in compliance with the College of Charleston immunization policy will have a registration hold placed on their account that prevents them from registering for classes.

Students enrolling in an online, low-residency, or executive program, are not required to provide these forms.

All U.S. citizens must provide proof of their U.S. citizenship before enrolling.

If you've filed a FAFSA, you're all set. If you've not filed a FAFSA, complete the Lawful Presence Verification Form found under "MyForms" in MyPortal to provide proof of your U.S. citizenship.

International students in F-1 status are automatically verified. Other non-U.S. citizens will provide proof of their immigration status during the application process.

Your Certificate of Finance form is provided at the time of admission. Complete this form and return it to the Center for International Education (CIE) as soon as possible. This is required to complete an I-20 form.

If you are currently studying in the United States, please get in touch with the CIE to have your SEVIS records transferred.

The Graduate Student Handbook is your guide to academic life at the College of Charleston. It outlines important policies, expectations and resources to help you navigate your program with clarity and confidence. Within the handbook, you’ll find the College’s Honor Code, which reflects our commitment to integrity in all academic work, as well as the Code of Conduct, which sets expectations for respectful and responsible behavior within our community.

We encourage you to review the handbook carefully and return to it throughout your time at the College—it serves as both a reference and a shared foundation for the graduate student experience.

Get started with your Cougar Card, your College of Charleston ID, for access to events, facilities and services – like a meal plan and free rides with CARTA. Explore everything you can do with your Cougar Card.

Your first Cougar Card is free, but you’ll need to submit your photo through Campus Services HQ to receive one.

The Charleston Culinary Group offers a variety of convenient options to fit your schedule, whether you’re grabbing a quick bite between classes or settling in for a longer break. With multiple locations across campus, mobile ordering, and flexible payment options like (tax-free) Dining Dollars, it’s easy to find something that works for your day. It’s one more way the College helps keep you fueled, focused and moving forward.

Thinking about driving to class? Here are a few things to keep in mind before tackling the morning commute.

CofC has limited parking for students. Eligible students must apply for parking each semester. As a first-time graduate student, you can only purchase a permit at the First Come, First Served Sale, which generally takes place before the upcoming semester begins. Watch your email for information in August (fall) or December (spring) for complete instructions. There are a limited number of permits, and they typically sell out quickly.

Alternatives for commuters

• Other City of Charleston garages not affiliated with the College
• Parking meters with a two-hour time limit. Try Glebe, Wentworth and Meeting Streets.
• CARTA (Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority) — free bus service with CofC ID
• CARTA's HOP Shuttle — offers $5 all-day parking and free rides on a shuttle that runs every 15 minutes around the peninsula. (See the route here.)
• Bicycle (must be registered with Public Safety)

Parking for downtown residents

If you plan to live downtown with a car, visit the City of Charleston residential parking office to obtain a parking sticker. Familiarize yourself with parking areas for your district. Be mindful of curbs and street sweeps. Some Charleston curbs are old and are flush with the street. If you park on them by accident, you may get a ticket. Also, move your car on street-sweep days to avoid a ticket.

The institutional academic calendars can be found on the Office of the Registrar's webpage. Please note that the dates may differ from the program requirements. Always check with your program director about any adjustments.

Faculty, staff, and students can connect to campus-wide Wi-Fi via eduroam. Select “eduroam” from available networks and enter your full Charleston email address and MyPortal password. For Mac users, ensure that you select “Remember this network.”

The College will provide reasonable accommodation for persons with documented disabilities. Students should apply for services at the Center for Disability Services, located on the first floor of the Lightsey Center, Suite 104. Email snap@cofc.edu or call 843.953.1431.

Graduate students are entitled to the same services and care as undergraduates. Student Health Services provides a wide range of primary and preventative medical care services; located at 181 Calhoun Street with appointments available Monday – Friday, 8:30am to 5pm. The Counseling Center is a free and confidential resource that offers clinical assessments and individual counseling to members of the student community. Appointments are available Monday – Friday, 8:30am to 5pm at 175 Calhoun Street, Robert Scott Small Building, Suite 300.

If you are facing challenges in securing food and housing, you can contact the Dean of Students' Office for support. You can also visit the Cougar Pantry, a student-run food pantry that provides dry goods and hygiene products at no charge to any student. Available at 26 Coming St, Room 101.

The Addlestone Library is a central resource for graduate students, providing access to millions of print and digital materials, as well as specialized research databases. Graduate students can book study rooms, collaborate in group spaces, or get one-on-one help through research consultations with subject librarians.

Class sessions may be recorded via both audio and video recording. By attending and remaining in class, the student consents to being recorded. Recorded class sessions are for instructional use only and may not be shared with anyone not enrolled in the class.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) writing tools such as ChatGPT may be permitted. Your professor will inform you as to when, where, and how these tools will be permitted for use, along with guidance for referencing. Any use outside of this permission constitutes a violation of the College of Charleston Honor Code.

Each program has unique technological requirements to ensure success in their program. Refer to your program director about specific applicable hardware or software. All students have access to the Microsoft Office 365 Suite for free: log in to office.com using your Charleston credentials.

The College values and supports the diverse religious beliefs and practices of its students. Reasonable accommodation for religious observances, such as adjustments to class attendance or exam schedules, is provided, when possible, without creating undue hardship. Students remain responsible for meeting all academic requirements and objectives.

The College uses the Cougar Alert Emergency Notification system to quickly notify students of emergencies, including severe weather, campus closures, or other urgent events. Alerts are sent via phone, email, and text using the contact information in MyPortal. Be sure to keep your information updated.

For any police, fire, or medical emergency, call the Department of Public Safety immediately. The dispatcher who answers your call is trained in handling emergencies.

• Give your location
• Describe the nature of the emergency
• Be prepared to respond to the dispatcher's questions or instructions

In response to your call, the dispatcher will send Public Safety personnel, fire, or emergency medical teams to your location immediately.

For routine information and assistance call 843.953.5609.

Tropical disturbances and storms on the Atlantic coast are common. If the College of Charleston closes and members of the community are asked to evacuate due to inclement weather, students are responsible for taking their course materials with them to continue with course assignments, as instructed by their faculty. In cases of extended institution-wide closures where students have relocated, instructors may develop a plan that allows for supplemental academic engagement despite these circumstances.

Emergency: 911

Mental Health Emergency: 988

Campus Police, Non-Emergency: 843.953.5609

Emergency Information Hotline: 843.725.7246

Disability Access: 1.800.735.2905

TTY Text Telephone: 843.953.1419