In addition to completion of the necessary hours of classroom work, candidates for graduation must complete the following conditions before graduation:

• The candidate must complete a Graduation Application two semesters prior to his/her planned graduation date and pay the graduation fee (non-refundable) the semester he or she plans to graduate.
• The candidate for the bachelor’s degree must have taken 30 of the last 42 hours of course work at Dallas Christian College. The Chair of the Department of the student’s major and the Vice President of Academic Affairs must approve in advance any course work not completed at DCC. The Academic Council may approve other special arrangements. Active duty service members and their spouses, including Reservists and National Guardsmen on active duty, will be exempted from the requirement of 30 of the last 42 hours.
• The candidate for the associate’s degree must have taken 15 of the last 26 hours of course work at Dallas Christian College. The Chair of the Department of the student’s major and the Vice President of Academic Affairs must approve in advance any course work not completed at DCC. The Academic Council may approve other special arrangements. Active duty service members and their spouses, including Reservists and National Guardsmen on active duty, will be exempted from the requirement of 15 of the last 26 hours.
• The candidate must have attained a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or above in work at Dallas Christian College.
• The candidate must have attained a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or above in the primary major.
• The candidate must have the approval of the faculty and the DCC Board of Trustees.
• The candidate must have fulfilled all obligations to the College, including Christian Service, student account, financial aid including exit counseling, library, and any other department of the College, including the academic department. All financial obligations and academic issues from previous terms must be resolved by April 1 before Commencement.
• The candidate must have completed all class work and assignments by the week before commencement.
• The candidate must have received one semester’s credit for Christian service (CHRS-1000 Developing Christian Influence) for each semester of six or more hours of enrollment at Dallas Christian College.
• The candidate must complete all departmental assessment exams selected by the Director of Institutional Effectiveness. Currently the departmental exams include the ETS Proficiency Profile, the ABHE Bible Exam, and the DCC Bible and Theology Exam. (Under special circumstances, students may apply for a waiver to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.)

Academic Honor Graduates
Students whose overall grade point average, based on both grades earned at Dallas Christian College courses and transferred courses, is 3.400 or better can graduate with one of the following distinctions:

• Summa cum laude
  3.8 – 4.00 cumulative GPA
• Magna cum laude
  3.6 – 3.79 cumulative GPA
• Cum laude
  3.4 – 3.59 cumulative GPA

Biblical Studies Honor Graduates
Graduating students who have a 3.33-4.00 GPA in all of their Bible and theology courses (including transfer coursework). A minimum of 21 hours of biblical studies and theology courses must have been completed at DCC to be eligible.

Valedictorian and Salutatorian
The two graduating seniors with the highest cumulative GPA (3.4 or above) will be honored. These honors are based on no more than ten semesters of work toward the first bachelor’s degree, with at least 70 hours of coursework completed at DCC. (All transferable hours are included in the cumulative GPA.)

Dr. C.C. Crawford Merit Award
May be conferred upon a graduating senior who has achieved a 3.7 or better cumulative GPA, with at least 70 hours of coursework completed at DCC, who has contributed positively to campus life, who has demonstrated a willingness to serve and a cooperative attitude, and who demonstrates a strong inclination and aptitude toward ministry, whether vocational ministry or ministering through vocation.  Recipients of this award are chosen by unanimous approval of the faculty.  It is considered the highest student award given at Dallas Christian College.

2023, Dr. Stanley Mutunga, Founder, President, & CEO, Tumaini International, Corona, California

2022, Mark C. Worley, VP for Advancement, Dallas Christian College

2021, David Robertson, Executive Director, Casas Por Christo

2020, James M.Hutchins, Founder & Senior Pastor, New Life Community Church

2019, Dr. Alvin Sanders, President & CEO, World Impact

2018, Dr. Cara Snyder, Faculty Emeritus, Dallas Christian College

2017, Dr. Rob Maupin, Missions Pastor, Compass Christian Church

2016, Dr. Greg Pruett, President, Pioneer Bible Translators

2015, Drew Sherman, Lead Pastor, Compass Christian Church

2014, Dr. Dusty Rubeck, Former President, Dallas Christian College

2013, Dr. Gerald Turner, President, Southern Methodist Universtiy

2012, Tommy Politz, Senior Pastor, Hillside Christian Church

2011, The Honorable Nathan Hecht, Texas Supreme Court Justice, Texas

2010, Del Harris, Former Coach, NBA

2009, Tom Leppert, Mayor, Dallas Texas

2008, Larry James, CEO, Central Dallas Ministries

2007, Harriet Miers, Former White House Council, White House

2006, Congressman Kenny Marchant, US Congressman, 24th District of Texas

2005, Jud Wilhite, Minister, Henderson NV

2004, Mark Yarbrough, Executive Director, Dallas Theological Seminary