Application for Graduation

The student must officially apply for graduation. The student must meet all requirements to graduate in the semester of application to graduate.* The student is cautioned that: (1) application for graduation must be made before the published deadline (See Academic Calendar) and preferably at least one semester before the semester of graduation, (2) all grades must be officially transmitted to the Registrar's Office at least four days prior to the date of graduation by the final grades due deadline posted in the Academic Calendar, (3) applicants who apply for graduation and fail to meet requirements must reapply for graduation. Note: If the student does not apply for graduation in the semester in which requirements are completed, then the degree will be posted in the next graduation after the official application has been received.

*BA/BS Psychology Bridge to MAP or MAPC students must wait one semester after successful completion of their Bridge Applicable courses to apply to graduate from their bachelor's degree.

Commencement

Graduation and commencement often get confused. Graduation is the actual process of being awarded a degree, whereas commencement is a congratulatory ceremony (walking across the stage) that graduates can participate in to celebrate the attainment of a degree. Whether or not a student chooses to attend the commencement ceremony, the student will still need to apply for graduation.  A final degree audit must be completed before a degree is officially awarded. A degree audit will not be completed unless the candidates apply for graduation in the term in which they plan to graduate.

Graduation

Graduation is the process of being awarded a degree. To be awarded a degree, candidates must first apply for graduation in the term in which they plan to graduate, have a degree audit completed by their advisor, and submit the graduation application packet to the Registrar’s Office.   The Registrar’s Office will complete a final degree audit to ensure the candidate has met all degree requirements for graduation before a degree is officially awarded. 

Graduation with Honors

Graduation with honors is based upon the DBU grade point average in:

1) The declared major(s), and 2) the cumulative grade point average. To be graduated with honors, a student must have earned a minimum of 45 credit hours in residence at Dallas Baptist University (ACE, AP, CLEP, or IB credit do not count toward residency hours). To be graduated with honors, a student is required to have earned a final major(s) and cumulative (or overall) grade point average of 3.75 for cum laude; 3.85 for magna cum laude; and 3.95 for summa cum laude (on the basis of "C"=2.00, "B"=3.00, and "A"=4.00). The lower of the two GPAs (major/cumulative) will determine the level of honors. The first three GPA digits displayed determines the GPA for honors (for example a 3.749 GPA will be calculated for honors as a 3.74 GPA). The major grade point average and the cumulative grade point average are not rounded past the 3rd decimal point. Honors are announced at commencement rehearsal.