Graduation

This page holds content for prospective graduates of the Doctor of Ministry Program. As a note, Doctor of Ministry students are only eligible for graduation cycles of January and May.

Before Your Defense

Editors:

  1. If you are in need of an editor, check out this List_of_Editors. Please note that there are different types of editing. Discuss this before you agree to a contract.
  2. Maybe you want some time away to work on your thesis-project. Here is a link to the Writing Workshop. Check it out – you won’t regret it!

Schedule:

Check out the schedule for graduation.

Thesis-Project Process: Start to Finish

  1. Here is a power point presentation to walk you through the entire thesis-project process.
  2. Six (6) weeks before your scheduled defense date, you MUST submit a copy of your thesis-project to:
    • Thesis-Project Supervisor
    • Thesis-Project Reader
    • DMin Office
  3. Formatting Checklist: Before submitting the thesis-project, review the checklist for important formatting issues.
  4. Submit a completed graduation application

After Your Defense
  1. If you hired an editor, note that we will communicate with you, NOT your editor. You are ultimately responsible for your thesis-project.
  2. You will need to turn in TO THE D.MIN. OFFICE the following forms. DO NOT TURN THEM IN UNTIL DIRECTED.
  3. Here are some notes regarding continuation fees.
  4. If you desire to obtain personal copies of your thesis-project, here are two sites that provide binding services:

Graduation

Hamilton

Please click above for Hamilton-specific information

Charlotte

Please click above for Charlotte-specific information

Common Information:

This graduation webpage is the primary mode of detailed communication to Doctor of Ministry graduates, their families and guests for all campuses.  However, if at any time you have questions regarding the commencement activities, please contact our office at [email protected] or 978-646-4132.

Please review all of the information found on this web page, specifically arrival times for robing at Baccalaureate and Commencement.  The times have been set to allow for sufficient time to go over the instructions for processing, as well as detailed instructions on receiving your diploma.

Required Graduate Survey
One of the requirements of graduation is completing the Graduating Student Survey. The information you enter into the survey is confidential. We ask for your student ID only so that we know that you completed the survey. The information you give us is used to continue to improve Gordon-Conwell. The survey must be completed online before graduation. Click here to take the survey.
Name Pronunciation
Your name is important! We want to pronounce your name correctly at Commencement.  If you have not already done so on your graduation application, please email a phonetic spelling of your name to the Doctor of Ministry Office ([email protected]). We need your help with this task.
Graduation Announcements
We are now in the process of having announcements (not invitations) printed.  Each graduate will receive 10 announcements free of charge. Beginning April, graduates will receive them in the mail.
If you’d like to order extra announcements, please click here. The cost is $.50 per announcement. Please send payment to the Communications Office at 130 Essex Street, South Hamilton, MA 01982. The announcements will be sent to the address that you provide on the form, after payment is received. Contact Communications Office 978-646-4107 with any questions.
Letter from President Dennis Hollinger
Graduates have an opportunity to thank family & friends who have supported them during their time in seminary. Please click here to request this letter from Dr. Hollinger by April 15 so that we can process your request quickly and in time for graduation.
Regalia and Attire

Men, please wear a white shirt, tie, dark slacks and dark shoes.  Ladies may dress in a similar fashion (dark shoes go best with the black robes).   D.Min. students will receive the doctoral hood as part of the commencement ceremony. All regalia must be taken home after Baccalaureate. After Commencement, graduates may keep their regalia.

Honor insignia on academic regalia are limited to official pins (Psi Chi pins or other seminary-sanctioned academic honors).  Other insignia (e.g., cords, capes, and stoles) or decorations are not permitted.
Care of Academic Regalia AFTER Graduation
The Graduation gown may be placed in the dryer on permanent press for 15-20 minutes to remove wrinkles. The hood should be lightly ironed.
In Absentia
Attendance at Commencement is mandatory for all graduates living within a 250 mile radius of the Seminary.  If you will not be attending Commencement, you must notify the Doctor of Ministry Office via email ([email protected]) no later than April 15th.  Your name will be listed in the program, but not announced.
Diploma Size
11” x 17” The Hamilton Bookstore has a few of the special GCTS frames.  Contact Dave Shorey ([email protected]). Frames can also be ordered online at our online store.
Career Services & Placement

Be sure to look for professional full-time and part-time ministry positions around the country (and even the world) on GCTS’s ministry employment website, www.MinistryList.com. While there, put your personal ministry profile on the Candidate List, along with your resume, so that churches and ministries looking for Gordon-Conwell degree holders may contact you. Finally, check out the left sidebar for helpful resume, interview and ministry job search tips!

Alumni Services Announcement

Graduation is just the beginning of your lifetime relationship with Gordon-Conwell as an Alum. Sign up at the Alumni website to find resources that will serve you in ministry and to stay connected as a valuable part of the worldwide Gordon-Conwell family. As an alum you can:

Stay connected to Gordon-Conwell and your classmates. Be sure to create an account online today!

 

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