Graduation Apparel

Academic Attire

 
Gowns are black for bachelor and master's students, silver for doctoral students.  The shape of the sleeve indicates the level of degree. They are untrimmed, except for the doctoral gown, which has black velvet panels down the front and black velvet bars across the sleeves.

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Hoods are worn by graduate students and are lined with the color(s) of the college or university conferring the degree. The trim on the hood is the color of the discipline to which the major field of study belongs. Note: In the case of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree, royal blue is used, representing a mastery of the discipline of the learning and scholarship, regardless of the discipline.

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The tassel for the bachelor's degree is the color of the discipline to which the major field of study belongs. Masters' and specialists' tassels are black. Doctoral tassels are old gold.

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Honor cords are given to degree candidates who qualify for academic honors. Honor cords worn at commencement represent tentative honors based upon grade point average at the end of the previous semester. Honors requirements vary by college. Graduate degree candidates do not receive honors.