Only students who have been formally admitted into a College of Charleston graduate program as a degree or a non-degree student may enroll in graduate courses. Non-degree students must provide official transcripts which indicate their baccalaureate degree. An official transcript is one sent directly to the Graduate School Office from other colleges/universities.

Cross-Registration Students

Students who have been admitted into a graduate program at Charleston Southern University, The Citadel, or the Medical University of South Carolina may take graduate courses that will count toward their degree at their home institutions.

Professional advancement and/or enrichment

Students who wish to earn credit in graduate courses for the purpose of professional advancement and/or enrichment, but who are not candidates for a degree, may register for classes at the Graduate School of the College of Charleston with the permission of the appropriate graduate program director, and with appropriate documentation about their former higher education experience.

Regular Degree

Candidates for degrees who meet all requirements for admission to a graduate degree program are regular degree students. Upon admission as a regular degree student each applicant is assigned a graduate advisor to develop a program of study. It is imperative that the appointed advisor be consulted prior to enrolling in courses intended to count toward a degree.

Visiting students

Students who are in good standing in any regionally accredited graduate school may take graduate courses at the College of Charleston, and transfer credit to their graduate school. Visiting students must complete an application, pay the application fee, and supply the Graduate School Office with a letter of good standing from the dean of their institutions.

Course Changes—Drop/Add Period

Using Cougar Trail, students may make course schedule changes during the official drop/add period.

Grades

Students have access to their grades through Cougar Trail at cougartrail.cofc.edu.

Cross-Registered Students

Complete a cross-registration form at the home institution. Submit the cross-registration form, complete with appropriate signatures, to the Graduate School Office, Suite 310, Randolph Hall.

Drop/Add/Withdrawal

Students may drop a class up to and during the drop/add period. After that time students withdraw from courses.

If a student voluntarily withdraws from a course during the official withdrawal period, the grade of “W” is entered on the student’s record. This grade will not affect the student’s record, since the credit value of the course is not entered. Please see page 5 for the refund policy.

To withdraw from individual courses, students must complete an
official withdrawal form in Registrar’s Office by the withdrawal deadline.

To withdraw from all courses and the Graduate School, contact the Graduate School Office.

After the official withdrawal deadline, students may withdraw from a course only with special permission of the dean of the Graduate School and the professor. This permission is granted only if continued enrollment in the course would be detrimental to the student’s health or extenuating circumstances prevent the student’s continued enrollment. It is not granted to prevent course failure.