Commencement FAQs

Students must apply for graduation. Deadline dates are posted in each Schedule of Classes and also in the Graduation Application Packet. Packets are available online, in the Professional Studies office.

The graduation officer will audit your transcript and degree audit to ensure you are on track to complete your degree requirements. You will be notified by mail of the results and given further instructions.

Yes, a Graduation Fee is charged to your DBU account if the application is received prior to the posted deadline on the graduation application. Please refer to the graduation application deadlines listed below: 

$50.00 Early - by the Early Application Deadline below

$100.00 Regular - after the Early deadline but 4 weeks prior to Graduation

$200.00 Late #1 - 4 weeks or less from the Graduation date

$300.00 Late #2 - 1-5 Business Days before Graduation

$500.00 Late #3 - Day of Graduation and After

No. Tickets are not issued for attendance; however, graduates are limited to 6 guests. Guests should arrive 45 minutes prior to each commencement time.

Yes. Rehearsals for 10:00 a.m. services begin at 8:00 a.m. Rehearsals for 3:00 p.m. services begin at 1:00 p.m. Graduates are REQUIRED to attend the rehearsal.

Report to the Pilgrim Chapel Sanctuary at your designated rehearsal time, wearing your cap and gown. You will be seated according to degree with various instructions given promptly at the rehearsal time.

Academic regalia (except Doctoral) may be purchased at Grad Finale (an event held a few weeks prior to each graduation date) or at the DBU Bookstore (after the Grad Finale event). Doctoral graduates should contact their program director for regalia information.

Contact the graduation officer in the Registrar's Office at (214) 333‑5141 for information on receiving your diploma after your graduation date.

No. It is DBU policy that all degree requirements, including Chapel if required, are successfully completed and grades submitted by the appropriate deadline. Questions concerning Chapel should be directed to chapel@dbu.edu.

All students must pay account balances in full by the published deadlines posted in the Graduation Application Packet to participate in commencement. Specific questions should be directed to the Cashier's Office (214) 333‑5336.

Graduating students who submit payment by check after the payment due date will not be eligible to receive a diploma until at least 14 business days after the date in which the check is received. Students who submit payment after the payment due date are strongly encouraged to pay with credit/debit cards or cash to ensure participation and the receipt of their diploma on their scheduled commencement date.

Should you fail to take care of your existing balance, you will be denied access to final exams, final semester grades, transcripts, commencement exercises, and your diploma upon graduation.

Allow ample time to arrive on campus, park, and enter the Pilgrim Chapel before the graduates enter the building. Balloons, posters/signs, horns, whistles, and other noise-making devices are not permitted in the sanctuary for commencement.

Ceremonies last less than two hours.

FLASH Photography will be photographing each graduate during the commencement ceremony. Complimentary proofs will be mailed to the graduates within one week of the ceremony. If you have any questions, please contact Flash Photography via their website at www.FLASHphotography.com.

Handicap seating is available in the Pilgrim Chapel Sanctuary. Handicapped guests can be driven to the front of Pilgrim Chapel for access to the sanctuary. DBU security officers will be stationed throughout the campus grounds on the day of Commencement. Upon campus arrival, guests should notify a DBU security officer that they need to proceed to the handicap entrance. If you have any questions regarding handicap seating, please call (214) 333-5394.