Seminary Graduation Instructions (2024)

Graduation credit requirements have been developed with a focus on inner reflection, these requirements can deepen students’ conversion to the Savior Jesus Christ.

Every student has a different level of family support, gospel understanding, and commitment. The graduation requirements support students in their present circ*mstances.

They also focus on principles and goals rather than a list of actions. Focused goals can develop habits that anchor students’ lives on the Savior and His Gospel. These habits can help students ‘Hear Him’ throughout their lives.

“All we do should deepen our conversion to Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, because He is the answer to [students’] challenges and questions.” — Chad H Webb, Administrator – Seminaries and Institutes (Messengers of the Good News, January 2023)

With the seminary requirements, students will:

1. Read specific scripture passages each term.
2. Set and track their own personal scripture study goal.
3. Take part in group learning assessments.
4. Attend seminary at least 75% of the term.

Click here to read more about the changes to the seminary credit requirements.

The seminary teacher has primary contact with students and parents and should take the lead in helping students complete all requirements for credit and graduation. The seminary teacher:

• Helps students be aware of and meet completion and graduation requirements.
• Contacts seminary parents or guardians regularly about student completion and graduation progress.
• As assigned by local administration, attends seminary graduation to support students in their achievement.
• Under the direction of the principal, uses program graduation reports to assist students in the program with completion and graduation goals. The following reports are available:
• Makeup Work Report lists the make-up work needed for each student. A link to this report is available in WISE and can segment information by teacher using the ‘Selected Teacher’ feature.

Projected Program Graduation report and Student Status Report can be used to monitor students’ overall progress toward completion and graduation. These reports can be found in WISE as follows:

1. Go to WISE2.ChurchofJesusChrist.org
2. Click on Administrative Tools desired report under Wise Graduation Reports
3. Click on Graduation Tab
4. Click on Program Makeup Work Report

In consultation with the principal or coordinator, the administrative assistant helps teachers monitor the progress of individual students. In addition, the administrative assistant identifies projected graduates both in the program and in the assigned stakes.

Program graduation reports and stake graduation reports are both found in PowerBI. Links to these reports are also found in WISE on the Graduation screen.

For Seminary Programs

Assists and ensures teachers (and stake seminary supervisors) are aware of students’ graduation and completion status, using the program reports: Projected Program Graduation and Status Report (see page 2). In consultation with the principal or coordinator, regularly follows up with teachers on student progress.

For Assigned Stakes

• Adds a new ceremony in WISE for each assigned stake listed on the left-hand side of this page. This stores information that is only seen by the administrative assistant and principal or coordinator. This task may be completed at the beginning of a new school year or anytime thereafter.
• In consultation with the principal or coordinator, uses the Projected Stake Graduation report to send assigned stake and ward leaders lists of projected graduates and seminary students who will complete the year’s course of study. Sends the list to assigned stake and ward priesthood leaders, regularly, beginning at least six weeks prior to seminary graduation. These lists are meant to help assigned stake and ward leaders in planning graduation and to endorse students (see The Seminary Ecclesiastical Endorsem*nt, Stake Seminary Graduation Guide). Priesthood leaders do not consult with S&I personnel concerning students who are or are not endorsed.
• Monitors student progress in assigned stakes.
• Sends a link to, or copy of, the Sample Seminary Graduation Program to each stake representative responsible for stake graduation (see Sample Seminary Graduation Program, Stake Seminary Graduation Guide). Seminary programs do not create stake graduation programs.
• Orders covers and diploma paper and prints diplomas and certificates of completion from Power BI with links from WISE
• Seminary and Institute Diploma Cover (item #10474000), and Seminary and Institute Diploma Paper (item #06029000) should be used for all Seminary Diplomas. These items are available at store.ChurchofJesusChrist.org or through local service centers where the online store is not available. Certificates are printed on a high-quality paper of your choosing.

• Assists in creating a program and stake culture where completion of courses and graduation is important and valued.
• Is familiar with and communicates the contents of the Stake Seminary Graduation Guide and 15.1.5 Credit and Graduation from the General Handbook with stake representative.
• Assists in preparing annual graduation ceremony with assigned stakes. This duty may be assigned to an S&I stake representative.
• Assists administrative assistant with all graduation reports and preparations (see administrative assistant section above), including publicizing completion and graduation requirements and following up with faculty efforts to invite projected graduates and course-completers to take part in annual graduation.
• In collaboration with the administrative assistant, ensures assigned stake and ward leaders are aware of students’ graduation and completion status. Ensures priesthood leaders understand that only those students who complete academic requirements will have awards printed for graduations held after school ends. 
• Assists (or assigns an S&I stake representative to help) in preparing stake graduation ceremony with the individual (stake seminary supervisor or assigned high councilor) responsible for stake seminary graduation.
• Invites assigned stake and ward leaders to endorse qualified applicants in a timely manner. Explains the ecclesiastical endorsem*nt to stake presidents and answers questions about endorsem*nt (see The Seminary Ecclesiastical Endorsem*nt, Stake Seminary Graduation Guide). 
• Assists administrative assistant with all seminary graduation preparations for assigned stakes (see administrative assistant section above).    
• Provides diplomas, diploma covers, and certificates to assigned stakes.
• If possible, attends and speaks, if invited, at assigned stake seminary graduation ceremonies, supporting students in their achievement. This duty may be delegated to an S&I stake representative.    
• In consultation with the principal or coordinator, identifies projected graduates both in the program and in the assigned stakes.