Graduation Application Process
Students apply to graduate in the semester he/she is graduating. Students will be notified by email when they are eligible to apply for graduation. Summer graduates are only eligible to participate in the May commencement ceremony preceding their summer graduation date. (ex. Summer 2023 graduates are eligible to participate May 2023 Commencement). DTS only holds Commencement ceremonies at the end of the spring term.
Due Dates for Graduation Application in Portal:
- Fall 2023: October 1, 2023
- Spring/Summer 2024: February 1, 2024
Students can locate the Graduation Application in the Student Portal by:
- Logging into the Student Portal
- Clicking on “My Profile” (left-side menu)
- Selecting “Document Center”
Students can check the status of their Graduation Application in the Student Portal. If the application is not completed by the due date, then the student’s graduation date will be moved to a later semester.
Please note: All graduation application information (participation, references, dissertation title, etc.) must be received by March 1 to ensure inclusion in the printed spring Commencement Ceremony program.
Graduation Checklist
- A Church Letter – Indicating the student has been in attendance/participation in a local church during the student’s time at DTS. (Spanish Form; Chinese Form)
- A Personal Reference – This is a pastor or someone with spiritual oversight in the student’s life. (Spanish Form; Chinese Form)
If students use a generic email for their church (info@ or contact@), be sure to follow-up with the staff member who oversees this inbox. Questions about the status of reference letters should contact Student Life: studentlife@dts.edu
Due Dates for References and Supporting Materials:
- Fall 2023: November 1, 2023
- Spring/Summer 2024: March 1, 2024
Graduating students will submit coursework approximately two-weeks before the end of the term (or earlier as required by the professor). Students should notify professors they are graduating, which may mean quizzes or exams in Canvas will need to be available for graduates.
Fall 2023 Graduates Coursework Due: Friday, December 8
Spring 2024 Graduates Coursework Due: Friday, April 26
Summer 2024 Graduates Coursework Due (Participating in Commencement): Friday, April 26
Summer 2024 Graduates Coursework Due (NOT Participating in Commencement): Follow due dates in syllabus or Canvas
The Test of Biblical and Theological Knowledge (TBTK) is a required test for all master’s degree graduates. (DMin, DEdMin, EdD, PhD, and CGS graduates do not need to take the exam.) The final transcript showing the conferral of the student’s degree will not be released by DTS until this obligation is met.
The TBTK is a timed, online exam with a 75-minute limit. Graduates should complete the TBTK at the end of their final semester of study. An email will be sent to the graduates with the necessary web links before graduation. Please check and make sure that your email address will accept messages sent from DTS.
Please contact Institutional Research by phone (214-887-5200) or by email (irdept@dts.edu) with any questions.
Graduation announcements, class rings, diploma frames, and other items are available for purchase through the DTS Bookstore. Staff at the Bookstore would be happy assist you with any questions you may have concerning graduation memorabilia. Visit them on the DTS-Dallas campus or email them at bookstore@dts.edu.
For many years the graduating class has collected money as a gift for the benefit of future students at DTS.
The 2023 graduating class has the wonderful opportunity to “pass it back” to current students still in the process of completing their seminary training by contributing to the new graduating class scholarship fund.
More information regarding this scholarship fund coming soon.
Each year, the graduating class chooses two members of the faculty to receive an award in “Teaching Excellence”.
Voting will open Wednesday, February 1 – Friday, February 24.
Ceremony
Visiting Campus
Friday, May 10, 2024 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
The DTS campus will be open for graduates, their families, and friends who may wish to visit the seminary. This is an opportunity to visit the DTS-Dallas campus as campus will be closed Saturday, May 11, the day of commencement.
Commencement Chapel
Friday, May 10, 2024
10:00 am – 11:30 am
Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church (Worship Center)
1660 W. Camp Wisdom Rd, Dallas, TX
Speaker: TBD
Commencement Chapel is a special chapel service for graduates and their friends and families.
Unfortunately, only the Commencement Ceremony at Prestonwood Baptist Church will be available to watch via livestream. The Commencement Chapel will be recorded and posted to voice.dts.edu/chapel approximately one week after the chapel service.
Graduates may sit with friends and family members at Commencement Chapel. Unlike at the Commencement Ceremony, there will not be a reserved seating section for graduates.
Graduates should wear regalia over appropriate business-casual attire for both commencement and commencement chapel. Please plan to pick up your regalia in advance of these events if at all possible.
Examples of appropriate business-casual clothing for women are dresses, dress shirt/skirt, dress shirt/dress pants with dress shoes/sandals.
Examples of business-casual clothing for men are dress shirts/dress pants with dress shoes.
To maintain consistency and the proper decorum, graduates should not wear any external decoration on the outside of their regalia.
International students are welcome to wear native attire under their regalia as appropriate and consistent with the regalia.
Texas BBQ with Faculty
Friday, May 10, 2024
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
DTS-Dallas Campus
A BBQ dinner will be served by the faculty to all graduating students with their families and friends on the Dallas campus. This event is designed to give graduates and their families an opportunity to visit with one another and meet the faculty and staff. Dress is casual.
Meal tickets are $5 per person (ages 5 and under are free) and will be available for purchase online. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase at the Bookstore on the evening of the BBQ.
Graduation Ceremony
Saturday, May 11, 2024
10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Prestonwood Baptist Church
6801 W. Park Blvd., Plano, TX
Speaker: TBD
Instructions for Graduates:
The Commencement Ceremony is at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano (6801 W. Park Blvd.). Graduates should plan to be there promptly at 8:00 a.m. and meet in the choir loft located in the worship center for instructions and rehearsal.
During this time, graduates will receive instructions for lineup, robing, and walking the stage. Signs and staff will be available to help direct graduates. It is important that graduates arrive promptly and pay close attention to instructions during this time.
After the ceremony, graduates will be released to return their regalia and meet with family members and guests.
Graduates should wear regalia over appropriate business-casual attire for both commencement and commencement chapel. Please plan to pick up your regalia in advance of these events if at all possible.
Examples of appropriate business-casual clothing for women are dresses, dress shirt/skirt, dress shirt/dress pants with dress shoes/sandals.
Examples of business-casual clothing for men are dress shirts/dress pants with dress shoes.
To maintain consistency and the proper decorum, graduates should not wear any external decoration on the outside of their regalia.
International students are welcome to wear native attire under their regalia as appropriate and consistent with the regalia
After Graduation
Diplomas
Career Services
The Office of Career Services offers a lifetime of support for DTS graduates and provides consultation to graduating students, alumni, and ministries throughout the hiring process. Their services include assistance with resume development, interviewing, and compensation guidelines. The Career Services office also assists ministries as they search for candidates and maintains a database of ministry opportunities through their Ministry Opportunities Listing. For more information, please visit the DTS Career Services page here.
