Students must submit an application before the end of the semester preceding their final semester (end of the fall semester for spring graduation; end of the spring semester for fall graduation). Late applications are subject to a $20 late fee. Northern California students can turn the form into the Registrar’s Office. Regional campus students should submit the completed form to their respective regional campus administrative office. DMin students should submit the form to the DMin Office. All students are required to take the Graduate Exit Survey as part of their graduation application. This requirement does not apply to CLD students. Incomplete forms will not be processed and will be returned to the student.
As part of the graduation application process, all graduate candidates for all degrees are required to provide the seminary with critical exit information and evaluation. This web-based private survey focuses on key demographic information, future ministry prospects, and opportunity for graduate reflection. Completion of the survey (roughly 18 to 25 minutes) provides you with the necessary confirmation code to complete your Graduation Application. GRAD APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE THIS CONFIRMATION NUMBER.
You will rent the cap and gown from LifeWay Christian Bookstore, which will be ordered for you after the submission of your graduation application. Northern California campus (NCC) graduates can pick up their caps and gowns at LifeWay the week of graduation; students graduating at one of the regional campuses can pick them up at their respective regional campus administrative office. All caps and gowns will be returned after the ceremony. The rental fee is payable at the time of pick-up. Contact LifeWay at (415) 388-1133 for current rental prices. GGBTS will provide hoods for use at no charge to all graduates. NCC grads will pick up their hoods at the Business Office no later than the Thursday before graduation. Regional campus students can pick up hoods at their respective regional campus administrative office. Hoods must be returned immediately after the graduation ceremony.
A graduation fee of $80 will be charged to your account when you submit your application for graduation, and applies whether or not you plan to attend Commencement. This fee is in addition to the cap and gown rental fee noted above and is due no later than the Wednesday before graduation.
The Student Life Office or your regional campus office will send you a graduation packet 6-8 weeks prior to the ceremony. This packet will contain information about rehearsal, the graduate luncheon, pictures, etc. If you have not received this packet four weeks prior to the ceremony, please contact the Registrar’s Office or your regional campus office.
All students are expected to attend the commencement exercises. Permission to graduate in absentia is granted by the Vice President for Academic Affairs upon your written request stating the reason you should be excused from the ceremony. If permission is granted, your diploma will be mailed to you no later than ten days after the date of graduation.
All financial obligations to GGBTS must be paid no later than the Wednesday prior to graduation. This includes any library fines, tuition and fee charges and the graduation fee. No student will be permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony if he/she has an outstanding balance at the Business Office.
In rare cases, students who fail a class during their final semester may receive permission to graduate if they have made arrangements to re-take the failed classes during the next term. If for any reason you cannot graduate at the end of the semester indicated on the application, your application is cancelled and you must submit a new application for any subsequent graduation.
The Registrar’s Office will complete a graduation check of your academic record at GGBTS. After this check is complete, you will be informed of the result via the email address you submit with your graduation application. This will be sent to you no later than the beginning of your graduation semester in order to give you the opportunity to enroll in any course that may be lacking.
Any inquiries regarding grades, transcripts, diplomas or graduation clearance can be directed to the Registrar’s Office at (415) 380-1646. Questions about the graduation ceremony can be directed to the Student Life Office at (415) 380-1446 or your regional campus administrative office.