Congratulations! You are getting ready to graduate. Your SUM family is proud of your accomplishment. Here is what you can expect.
Graduation represents the culmination of three years of hard work and dedication to your ministry development.
During this time God has walked you through a process preparing your mind, heart and hands for the ministry he has called you to. Thank you for being a good steward of the process and persevering to the end. We are excited to celebrate with you and launch you into the next chapter of your life and ministry.
SUM is an online college with groups of students studying in cohorts and hubs across the United States and around the world.
All of our graduates worldwide are invited to participate in our graduation weekend in one of three ways:
In person in El Dorado Hills, in person at a Hub or Cohort graduation event, or online. SUM’s official, annual graduation ceremonies occur at the end of the Spring term. Official dates can be found on our academic calendar.
As you are approaching your last two trimesters at SUM, we encourage you to submit an Intent to Graduate Form. This will alert our registrar to do a final degree audit to ensure that you complete all of the courses required for graduation within the next two terms. It will also take some specific questions regarding your height and weight and permanent contact information. This information is used to order your cap & gown, mail your graduation regalia and diploma. In your final term at SUM you will see a graduation fee added to your student account. This is a mandatory charge for all students regardless of your attendance at the in person graduation events.
There are two ceremonies during graduation weekend.
- Baccalaureate is an award ceremony and dinner for the graduates and their families typically help the Friday night before graduation. This is where students graduating with honors are presented their chords and are recognized for their achievements. There is a special service with a guest speaker and faculty and staff gather to pray over the graduates. Tickets are sold for family members of graduates and reservations are required.
- The official Graduation Ceremony is held in person and online so that all graduates worldwide can attend even if they cannot travel in person. Please watch your SUM email for graduation practices and information on creating videos and submitting personal information for our graduate slide show. We love to honor our graduates so you will be asked for information to help us do so.
There is no charge for the graduate to attend Baccalaureate.
There is no additional charge for students to attend graduation live on site in El Dorado Hills.
We know graduates are eager to receive their diplomas and transcripts after graduation. While you will receive your diploma cover at graduation, it will be empty. Please allow our team 8 weeks to process, order and ship your diploma. In the meantime, official transcripts can be requested through our help desk and unofficial transcripts can be downloaded from your student portal.
Pending graduates should check their emails for important information
About location and time for each of the graduation weekend events as well as transportation tips and links to suggested hotels. We will also ask for several forms to be completed and items to be submitted leading up to graduation including an rsvp and payment link to the baccalaureate dinner.
International students wishing to attend graduation in person in California should request an invitation from their hub directors for visa purposes.