If you indicated on your graduation application that you are participating in the Commencement ceremony, we have rented your cap and gown for you. You will be able to pickup your cap and gown from the DTS Bookstore on the Dallas campus. 

Graduates should make every effort to pick up regalia PRIOR to the Commencement events. 

The regalia pickup schedule at the DTS Bookstore is as follows:

• Monday, April 28 – Friday, May 2, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Monday, May 5 – Wednesday, May 7, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Thursday, May 8, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Friday, May 9, 2:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Regalia not picked up by noon on Thursday, May 8, will be delivered to the Commencement Chapel venue and can be picked up there the morning of Friday, May 9, prior to Commencement Chapel. After Commencement Chapel, the regalia will be brought back to the DTS Bookstore and will be available for pickup until 7:30 p.m. Regalia not picked up by 7:30 p.m. on Friday will be available at Prestonwood Baptist Church the morning of the Commencement ceremony (Saturday, May 10).

Regalia Return

After the Commencement ceremony, graduates will be released to return their regalia and meet with family members and guests. Regalia must be returned to the (name of room), as indicated on the map (attach map).

Time and Location

Friday, May 9, 2025, 10:00–11:30 a.m. 
Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, 1660 West Camp Wisdom Road, Dallas, TX 75232

Guest Dress Code

Please wear business-casual attire.

Arrival

• Plan to arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. to allow time to park and find a seat.
• Bring/wear your regalia robe and cap only but not your hood.
• Seating is not assigned for the Commencement Chapel—Graduates are encouraged to sit by the aisle at the end of the row.

Graduate Dress Code

Graduates should wear regalia robes and caps only (no hoods) over business-casual clothing at Commencement Chapel. 

Attendance

• Graduates are welcome to bring as many friends and family members as they would like to Commencement Chapel. There are no required tickets or limits for this event.
• Childcare: Unfortunately, childcare will not be available at the Commencement Chapel. Children are welcome to attend Commencement Chapel; however, we ask that crying or restless children be taken out of the sanctuary, as a courtesy to others. Parents of infants are welcome to use the cry room; see map [link map] for location.

• Date and Time: Friday, May 9, 2025, 1:00–7:30 p.m.
• Dallas Campus, 3900 Swiss Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204
• Guests are welcome to visit our Dallas campus on Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 1:00 to 7:30 p.m. The Dallas campus will be open for graduates, their families, and friends who may wish to visit the seminary. The Dallas campus will be closed on Saturday, May 10, the day of the Commencement ceremony.
• Be sure to stop by our commencement photo booth in Bailey Student Center to take some fun photos with your family and friends!
• Alumni will have exclusive access to self-guided Chafer Chapel tours from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
• Graduates and their families are welcome to enjoy self-guided Chafer Chapel tours from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
• Please be sure also to stop by and enjoy a self-guided tour of the new DTS Legacy Center
• Campus photo tour guides, highlighting landmarks around the Dallas campus, will be available from volunteers in the Bailey Student Center and at the DTS Bookstore.

Date and Time: Friday, May 9, 2025, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Dallas Campus, 3900 Swiss Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204

• Tickets may be purchased starting on April 1, 2025, at bookstore.dts.edu or in person at our DTS Bookstore.
• Meal tickets are $10 per person; children ages 5 and under are free.

Dress Code
Casual attire is recommended for this family-friendly outdoor event. Anticipate warm weather.

Activities
Join us for Texas BBQ with Faculty, a fun-filled celebration for graduates, families, and faculty! Enjoy authentic Texas BBQ while kids delight in pony rides and a petting zoo. Make memories with family-friendly games on the Great Lawn, explore our historic campus, and visit the Bailey Student Center to tour Chafer Chapel with a fresh cup of Hope Coffee.

Be inspired at our new Legacy Center, where DTS’s story comes to life. Experience Paul in the Mamertine Prison, urging Timothy to “preach the Word,” then journey through a pictorial timeline, talking portraits, and immersive theater. From a single note to a symphony of God’s grace, our legacy continues—celebrate and be part of it!

DTS Commencement occurs once a year at the completion of the spring term. All graduates from the 2024-2025 academic year (including previous Fall 2024 graduates) are invited to participate in the Commencement festivities in May 2025. We highly encourage graduates from all locations (online and extension sites) to join us in Dallas for the Commencement ceremony.

Time and Location

Saturday, May 10, 2025, 10:00 a.m. –12:30 p.m.
Prestonwood Baptist Church, 6801 West Park Blvd., Plano, TX 75093

Commencement Speaker

Dr. Mark Jobe, President of Moody Bible Institute

Attendance

• Graduates are welcome to bring as many friends and family members as they would like to Commencement ceremony. There are no tickets required or limits for this event.
• Virtual Attendance. If you or your family and friends are unable to attend the Commencement ceremony in person but still want to watch the ceremony, the livestream will begin at 10:00 a.m. CST from the following link: [link to be provided]. 
• Childcare. Unfortunately, childcare will not be available at Commencement events. Children are welcome to attend the Commencement ceremony; however, we ask that crying or restless children be taken out of the sanctuary during the service, as a courtesy to others. Parents are welcome to use the cry room; see map [link map] for location.
• A recording of the Commencement ceremony will be posted on the DTS YouTube channel a few days after the event.

Dress Code

• Graduates should wear full regalia (including cap and hoods) over business-casual clothing at the Commencement Ceremony.
• Guests should wear business-casual attire.

Arrival

Guests may arrive up to two hours before the event but should plan to arrive at least forty-five minutes early to ensure good seating. Guests are welcome to sit anywhere in the worship center not marked as reserved.

Live Translation

DTS will provide live Spanish and Mandarin translation services for this event. Recipients must sign in at the welcome center and provide a photo ID as collateral for the use of translation equipment. Special seating is reserved for guests receiving live translation and our wonderful volunteers will guide guest to that location.

Content Coming Soon

• Please reference the Dallas Area Accommodations for a list of hotels that are within an 8 mile radius of the seminary and local transportation options. This list does not represent an official recommendation. Rather, it is supplied as a free service for perusal. DTS encourages visitors to inquire directly about any particular hotel to make sure it is fitting for your needs. Hotels which offer a discount to DTS guests have provided the discount link within this information.
• International graduates or guests wishing to attend graduation may come to Dallas as a tourist with no special visa requirement (depending on the country from which they are traveling).
• Please consult the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State for detailed information regarding visa requirements and travel guidelines for specific countries of origin.

Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: DTS Atlanta Campus – Passion City Church, 2625 Cumberland Pkwy SE, Atlanta, GA 30324
Parking Instructions: Parking is available in the front of the building
Arrival Instructions: Enter through the front doors (see picture below) and take the stairs or elevator up one level and follow the signs to the event.
Dress Code: Casual
Attendance Instructions: Spouse or significant other encouraged to attend.
Childcare: No childcare provided

Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
Time: 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm  
Location: Burke Community Church, 9900 Old Keene Mill Road
Registration is required – registration link coming soon
Arrival instructions: Doors open at 4:30 pm, program begins at 5:00 pm 
Dress code: Business Casual. Graduates will not wear regalia at this event. 
Childcare:  Childcare will not be provided
Register

Houston Graduate Gala Dinner
Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025
Time: 7:00-9:00pm (6:30 check-in)
Location: Houston Hilton Westchase, 9999 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77042
Registration: Graduates and a plus-one guest are free; registration required for any additional guests. There is no limit on the number of additional guests who can register to celebrate with you! Register Here
Dress Code: Formal; Graduates will not wear regalia at this event.

International Student Graduate Banquet
Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025
Time: 6:00-8:30pm
Dress code: Business casual
Attendance instructions: The international student graduation banquet is by invitation, please contact the International Student Development department for more information.
Childcare: Childcare will not be provided
Register

DTS en Español Graduate Celebration
Date: Friday, May 9, 2024
Time: 2 pm to 4 pm 
Location: 3909 Swiss Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204.  Campbell 110 (First floor) 
Parking instructions: Across the street in the Live Oak
Arrival instructions: Please look for the Campbell Academic Center
Dress code: Casual
Childcare: Childcare will not be provided

DTS Chinese Program – Graduate Dessert Reception
Date: Friday, May 9, 2025
Time: 3pm-4pm
Location: Walvoord 206

Online and Distance Education Graduate Reception
Date: Friday, May 9, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:00pm
Location: DTS campus in Bailey Student Center next to Hope Coffee
Dress code: Casual
Attendance instructions: a registration link will be provided
Childcare: Childcare will not be provided
Special instructions: Special gift for each graduate who attends

Photos and videos of the Commencement Chapel and Ceremony will be available for download free of charge through the DTS Alumni website at [link]

• As graduates prepare to celebrate this significant milestone, we are thrilled to provide a special social media package designed to enhance the graduation festivities. Check out the PDF instructions below, along with social media templates and graphics.
• Use the hashtags #DTSGrads, #DTS[year]Grads, and #DTSAlumni to connect with fellow graduates and share unique stories.
  
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Graduation announcements, class rings, diploma frames, and other items are available for purchase through the DTS Bookstore. The DTS Bookstore staff is happy to assist you with any questions you may have concerning graduation memorabilia. Visit them on the Dallas campus or email them at bookstore@dts.edu.

Graduates can go to the student portal for information on their graduation application.

All graduates from the 2024-2025 Academic year are welcome to participate in Commencement festivities. This means that Fall or Winter 2024 graduates are welcome to walk this coming May.

For questions regarding your graduation reference letters, please contact Student Life: studentlife@dts.edu.

Students can check the status of their graduate application via the student portal. Approval indicates that a student is included for commencement.

Please notify the Registrar’s Office at registrar@dts.edu.

For any questions regarding your diploma, please contact the Registrar’s Office: registrar@dts.edu.

Each Commencement event has unique details within the tab for the event: Chapel | Texas BBQ with Faculty | Ceremony

We will have live translation for both languages at the Commencement Ceremony. Guests can receive translation equipment at the welcome center upon arrival.

We will have cry rooms available at both the Commencement Chapel and Ceremony. Please see one of the event volunteers for directions where needed.

Refreshments will be limited to volunteers, faculty and graduates. Guests are encouraged to plan for the Chapel and Ceremony accordingly.

Inquiries for international graduates can be answered here. Please reach out to the team in International Student Development for further support where needed: internationaloffice@dts.edu.

Regalia details are provided by the graduate within the graduation application. After submitting the graduation application, DTS places the order for each graduate's regalia. No further action is needed by the graduate until the time for regalia pickup.

Details on regalia pick up can be found here.

Good news! These costs have already been included in your graduation fee.

Commencement regalia includes four pieces: gown, hood, cap, and tassel. After the ceremony, graduates must return the gown and hood but may keep the cap and tassel. Doctoral graduates receive a tam instead of a cap and may keep both the tam and tassel. Gowns and hoods are available for purchase if desired.

If you indicated on your graduation application that you are participating in the Commencement ceremony, we have rented your regalia for you. Graduates will keep their cap and tassel but need to return their gown and hood. Graduates may purchase their gown and hoods from The Graduate Place using the contact information below.

Debbie Colwill, Manager
The Graduation Place
214-327-8477 local
800-618-5589 toll free
800-705-4253 toll free fax
email: debbie@graduationplace.com
web: http://www.graduationplace.com

You can order them through https://bookstore.dts.edu/. The Bookstore staff is also happy to help.

Graduates are welcome to bring as many friends and family members as they would like to Commencement Chapel and Commencement Ceremony. There are no required tickets or limits for these events.


Texas BBQ with Faculty tickets cover the meal and may be purchased starting on April 1, 2025, at www.bookstore.dts.edu or in person at our DTS Bookstore. BBQ meal tickets are $10 per person; children ages 5 and under are free. There is no limit to the number of BBQ tickets a graduate can purchase. Those not dining at the BBQ do not need a ticket but are welcome to join in the festivities.

Graduates can indicate their request for special accommodations via the graduation application.

Dallas Seminary will do our best to accommodate all of our guests. Please contact Disability Services directly to indicate the need for accommodations.

Yes, Disability Services will personally reach out to you several weeks before Commencement. In this conversation, we will solicit specifics as to the type of accommodation desired, if the request extends to any family members, and whether you would like to attend an onsite visit for both chapel and ceremony before the events. Feel free to share how we can support you!

Phone: 214-887-5566 Email: disability@dts.edu

Yes, there will be a designated section at both the chapel and the ceremony for those desiring ASL interpretation.

Yes! Please indicate your request for one, when you submit the graduation application or place a request with Disability Services.