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Graduation

Commencement Ceremony

Photos & Audio from the 2011 Commencement Ceremony

The Commencement Ceremony is held annually at the end of the Spring Semester.

  • Friday, May 11, 2012
  • Friday, May 10, 2013
  • Friday, May 9, 2014

The Commencement Ceremony is held annually at the end of the Spring Semester. The faculty believes that the Commencement Ceremony is a vital part of the academic calendar. All non-graduating students are encouraged to attend the Commencement Ceremony to show support for the graduates.

Degrees are awarded each semester upon completion of all degree requirements. The last day of the semester as indicated by the academic calendar is considered the official date of graduation.

Summer Graduates who will complete their degree requirements with no more than eight hours of course work may participate in the Commencement Ceremony preceding their final semester.

Any student who plans to complete all degree requirements by the end of the Fall semester must submit the completed Graduation Application by 5:00pm on October 10th to be eligible for a December Graduation. Any student who plans to complete all degree requirements by the end of the Spring semester or the end of the Summer semester must submit the completed Graduation Application by 5:00pm on February 1st.

Graduation Application

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from Phoenix Seminary, the student must:

  1. Give evidence of biblical understanding, godly character, and readiness for ministry (see “Profile of a Graduate” below);
  2. Complete the prescribed course of study within the Timeframe for Program Completion with acceptable Academic Standing;
  3. Sign an affirmation of the modified National Association of Evangelicals Statement of Faith;
  4. Submit the Graduation Application by the posted deadline;
  5. Settle all financial obligations, including payment of the Graduation Fee;
  6. Receive the recommendation of the Faculty and approval by the Board of Directors for graduation;
  7. Complete the Graduating Student Questionnaire;
  8. Attend Commencement exercises. Permission to graduate in absentia should be requested using the Academic Petition at least six weeks prior to Commencement. Students graduating in absentia must pay the Graduation Fee.

Additional degree-specific graduation requirements are described in Degrees & Programs.

Profile of a Graduate

The Phoenix Seminary Philosophy of Ministry is “Scholarship with a Shepherd’s Heart.” To achieve our Mission “to equip godly leaders to serve Jesus Christ effectively” consistent with this Philosophy, we work in partnership with the local church to stimulate ongoing growth in our students in three vital areas: Biblical Understanding, Character Development and Ministry Skills. Progress in these areas is encouraged through classroom teaching, meaningful involvement in local church ministry, and relationships with godly mentors. In this we (students, faculty and mentors alike) all grow—for none of us is fully conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus. As a consequence, commitment to life-long growth as servants of Christ is an essential element in the ethos of our seminary community. Our faculty desire that Phoenix Seminary students will grow sufficiently while they are with us to possess the following qualities and characteristics when they graduate. (Because each program has its own distinctive curricular requirements, individual student outcomes vary from program to program.)

In the area of Biblical Understanding each Graduate will:

  1. Demonstrate increasing love, respect, and submission to the Word of God.
  2. Accurately interpret Scripture.
  3. Articulate a system of sound biblical doctrine.
  4. Apply biblical truth to life.

In the area of Character Development each Graduate will:

  1. Evidence an increasing love and growing accountability to God and the body of Christ.
  2. Demonstrate Christ-like character and personal integrity.
  3. Evidence strong moral and ethical standards in both personal and professional relationships and duties.
  4. Demonstrate mental and emotional health.

In the area of Ministry Skills each Graduate will:

  1. Demonstrate ability to lead by developing and implementing a philosophy, vision, and strategy for ministry.
  2. Communicate Scripture to believers and evangelize non-believers in a relevant way.
  3. Demonstrate ability to shepherd, disciple, and equip God’s people to serve Christ.
  4. Evidence a commitment to reduce marginalization and injustice by bridging cultural, socio-economic, ethnic, racial, and gender boundaries.

Modified National Association of Evangelicals Statement of Faith

  1. We believe the Bible alone (the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments) to be the inspired, inerrant, authoritative word of God.
  2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
  3. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
  4. We believe that all human beings are lost and sinful by nature. For their salvation, regeneration by the Holy Spirit and (for all who have the mental capacity) personal faith in Jesus Christ are absolutely essential. Salvation is a gift from God, it is not earned.
  5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
  6. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. The true Church is the body of Christ of which He is the head.
  7. We believe in the resurrection of the saved unto eternal life and the lost unto eternal condemnation.

Phoenix Seminary students must affirm the above statement of faith. Words in italics are modifications to the National Association of Evangelicals Statement of Faith. Phoenix Seminary’s resident faculty, administration, and board members hold to the Teaching Position.

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Exit Surveys

Exit surveys are conducted with students during their final semester by the Director of Academic Services and Admissions. This includes completing a brief Graduating Student Questionnaire issued by the Association of Theological Schools which allows us to evaluate the Seminary and the education students are receiving. This information is invaluable as we seek to offer the best Seminary education possible.

Placement Assistance

The Placement Department assists graduating M.Div. and M.A.B.L. students and alumni in securing ministry positions. For further information please contact the Director of Academic Services & Admissions.

Alumni Association

The mission of the Alumni Association is to develop a lifelong connection between the Seminary and its graduates by cultivating communication, sharing resources, and fostering relationships. Alumni are entitled to the following benefits:

  • Take courses for alumni enrichment at no cost (some limitations apply)
  • Free membership in the PS Alumni Association
  • Free subscription to the alumni e-newsletter PS: Post Script
  • Free membership to the Seminary Library with full access to all of its services
  • M.Div. and M.A.B.L. Alumni may request placement assistance from the Director of Academic Services
  • Special seminars and events designed for alumni, including the twice-yearly Alumni Forum
  • Networking, ministry and fellowship opportunities with students, faculty, and other alumni

If you have any questions about alumni relations, email Ed Clavell, Phoenix Seminary Alumni Association President, at alumni@ps.edu. You can also join the Association on Facebook to connect with other graduates and for news on upcoming events.