Graduation and Commencement

Degree Application

Before a student may graduate, they must formally declare intent to do so by filing a Degree Application with the HDS Registrar’s Office. These applications are due according to the deadlines published in the HDS Academic Calendar.

The Degree Application form requests verification of the student’s name as it should appear on the diploma and to be published in the Commencement book. Candidates who do not receive a degree on the date for which application was made must file a new Degree Application to reactivate their candidacy for a later conferral date. No degree will be conferred until all financial obligations to the University have been met.

Prizes and Awards

The Billings Prize

Each spring the Divinity School holds a preaching competition under the auspices of the Robert Charles Billings Fund. The Fund was established in 1904 to recognize preaching and “pulpit delivery” among Divinity School students, and was named in the bequest as the “Billings Prize.” The competition is open to second- and third-year MDiv students. Each candidate has a 10-minute period in which to read a scripture passage, if desired, and to preach a sermon before a panel of three faculty judges. The judges select finalists, who then preach their sermons before a larger jury of faculty, denominational counselors, and local ministers in a Wednesday noon multireligious service. A prize of $500 is presented to the winner, or divided among first-place candidates. The judges also select the best reader of scripture from among those contestants who choose to read scripture. The winner of the scripture reading is presented a Bible, of the winner’s choosing, from the Massachusetts Bible Society.

The Thayer Award

This scholarship, created in 1857 with the bequest of John E. Thayer, is a prize given each spring to the “most meritorious” MTS and MDiv graduating candidates with financial need. The names of the recipients are announced at the HDS Diploma Awarding Ceremony.

Commencement and Multireligious Service

Commencement exercises are held in May for candidates receiving degrees throughout the academic year (November, March, and May). Candidates and two of their guests are invited to the morning ceremonies in Harvard Yard, where degrees are conferred on students from all Harvard faculties. This portion of the festivities offers extremely limited seating, and each participating graduate receives two guest tickets to the Yard ceremonies. Other guests may view the ceremonies from any one of a number of television monitors located throughout the University that day. A luncheon and the Diploma Awarding Ceremony for the Divinity School community are held immediately following the morning exercises.

The Multireligious Commencement Service honors the graduating class and is held the day prior to Commencement. Wearing Harvard robes, students gather for the service, which lasts about 90 minutes, is open to all guests, and is followed by a group class photo session and a reception.

Communications concerning the various activities and requirements for Commencement go to potential graduates in March. Information regarding appropriate regalia to wear and how to order it will also be distributed. Questions regarding regalia may be directed to the HDS Office of Student Life and to the Harvard COOP contact noted on the regalia information form.