Dates and Deadlines
Find dates and deadlines for thesis and dissertation preparation and for graduation and commencement ceremonies.
Submitting Your Thesis or Dissertation
Helpful Advice: Try to submit your document early. That way, you will have more time to make any necessary changes that come out of your format check.
Before Your Deadline
Be sure you have prepared and formatted your document properly before you submit. Review all the important information listed below to stay on track.
Every thesis and dissertation must conform to the requirements in this guide to be accepted. If your thesis or dissertation document is not accepted on the first try, you will be required to make the necessary changes and resubmit. Read the Formatting Guide [PDF].
Summer 2024 Deadlines & Commencement
July 5: Format Check Deadline for Thesis/Dissertation
July 15: Graduation Application Deadline
July 15: Defense Deadline
July 22: Final Submission Deadline
August 15: Official Date of Graduation*
*Summer 2024 graduates will participate in commencement ceremonies December 16,
2024 at 10 am
Fall 2024 Deadlines & Commencement
August 26: Last day to change/drop a course without a grade of "W" being recorded
September 20: Graduation Application Deadline
October 8: Format Check Deadline for Thesis/Dissertation
October 25: Defense Deadline
October 26: Doctoral Hooding Program Information Deadline
November 6: Last day to change/drop a course without a grade of "WF" being recorded
November 8: Final Submission Deadline
November 17: Final day to submit RSVP and Name Pronunciation for Doctoral Hooding
December 16: Doctoral Commencement, 10:00 a.m., Koger Center
December 16: Master's and Certificate Commencement, 2:00 p.m., Colonial Life Arena
Spring 2025 Deadlines & Commencement
January 21: Last day to change/drop a course without a grade of "W" being recorded
March 8: Format Check Deadline for Thesis/Dissertation
March 14: Graduation Application Deadline
March 27: Defense Deadline
March 28: Doctoral Hooding Program Information Deadline
March 31: Last day to change/drop a course without a grade of "WF" being recorded
April 10: Final Submission Deadline
May 8: Doctoral Commencement, 9:00 a.m., Koger Center
May 9: Master's and Certificate Commencement by College, 9:00 a.m., Colonial Life Arena
May 9: Master's and Certificate Commencement by College, 3:00 p.m., Colonial Life Arena
May 10: Master's and Certificate Commencement by College, 11:00 a.m., Colonial Life Arena
May 10: Master's and Certificate Commencement by College, 4:00 p.m., Colonial Life Arena
Try to submit your document early. That way, you will have more time to make any necessary changes that come out of your format check.
You will submit your thesis or dissertation through ETD Administrator.
Once you get to the ETD Administrator site, click the box that says “Sign up and get started today!” You will create an account (separate from your USC accounts) and complete the steps to submit your document.
We will review your document for format compliance and notify you of any necessary changes via the email address you entered to create your ETD Administrator account. It may be several days before you hear back from us.
If you need to make changes to your formatting, do so.
- After you have made the required revisions, log in to ETD Administrator and submit your new version.
- Do not create a new account.
- Once logged in to your ETD Administrator account, click “View/revise existing submission.”
You will either be notified that you have passed the format check or that you need to submit another round of revisions. Once you have passed the format check, your thesis or dissertation is accepted and there is no need to submit again.
After Your Acceptance Notification
Once your thesis or dissertation is accepted, you may choose to delay distribution (embargo), search databases for your document or order hard-bound copies.
Students can elect to delay the dissemination of their manuscripts with what is commonly referred to as an embargo. You can typically choose one of three options: 6 months, 1 year or 2 years. An embargo may be appropriate if your scholarship is:
- Creative Work
- Intellectual Property with Commercial Potential
- Politically Sensitive Material
UMI/ProQuest Embargo
UMI/ProQuest combines multiple databases that include theses, dissertations, books, journals and more. Indicate your desired embargo length when you submit your thesis. This prevents the full-text version of your work from being available in the UMI/ProQuest database until your embargo period is over.
USC Scholar Commons Embargo
Scholar Commons is an institutional repository to preserve, collect and disseminate the research and scholarship of the University of South Carolina. Indicate your desired embargo length on your required signature form and attach a justification memo or letter signed by both your major advisor and program graduate director.
Users with a valid USC ID can access full-text PDF versions of USC theses and dissertations through the UMI/ProQuest portal. Full-text access will be restricted if you are not using the portal through this USC library link.
If you have already completed the submission process and you have received a confirmation email that publication of your work is complete, you may place an order for copies directly through ProQuest.
Printing Services is the university community’s on-campus printing specialist. You can print copies of your thesis or dissertation through Printing Services at Russell House. Learn more about guidelines, file requirements and how to place an order, or call 803-777-3820.
BULLETIN: Thesis and Dissertation Policies
Detailed policies and procedures for your thesis or dissertation are in the Degree Requirements section of the Graduate Studies Bulletin.