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PhD & Doctoral Regalia | Hoods, Gowns, & Accessories

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Elevate Your Ceremony With Our PhD & Doctoral Regalia

Elevate your commencement ceremony with regal PhD gowns, intricately designed hoods, and tasteful accessories that symbolize the culmination of years of dedication and scholarly pursuit. Imbued with quality craftsmanship, our regalia ensures a distinguished presence on your graduation day. From the elegant doctoral graduation gowns to the precisely detailed hoods, each element is tailored to honor the esteemed journey of earning a doctoral degree. Explore our exclusive range of regal accessories that signify the pinnacle of scholarly excellence, making your doctoral graduation a moment to be cherished.

Elevate your ceremony to the pinnacle of academic distinction with our exquisite PhD & doctoral regalia collection. Meticulously designed to reflect the culmination of scholarly endeavors, our regalia boasts premium doctoral gowns, beautifully detailed doctoral hoods, and tasteful accessories. Immerse yourself in the regal essence of this significant milestone, as each piece is a testament to your unwavering commitment to academic excellence. Our custom gowns are crafted with precision and adorned with sophistication, so our regalia ensures you stand out on your graduation day. Symbolizing the profound achievement of earning a doctoral degree, our graduation regalia includes the highest quality graduation cap and gown packages, hood packages, and other doctoral regalia. Doctoral robes are available in both shiny and matte finishes. Trust in the quality and prestige of our collection to make your ceremony truly exceptional.

What Do Doctoral (PhD) Graduation Gown Colors Mean?

With so many collegiate traditions and classifications, it can be hard to understand the difference between the colors. With the wide array of customization options for regalia such as graduation gowns, caps, and tams it can get even more challenging.

We've created a PhD gown color guide that explains the meaning behind the difference customizations & color variations. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the colors for phd regalia signify.

The colors in PhD academic regalia hold symbolic significance, representing the academic discipline and degree earned. The academic gown's black velvet trim and hood's lining colors signify specific fields of study. For instance, blue often denotes philosophy, while green can represent medicine. Gold typically designates science and white stands for arts and humanities. The hood's length, width, and the color of the lining further indicate the level of the degree. Understanding these color codes adds depth to the regalia, allowing graduates and attendees to visually recognize and appreciate the academic achievements and expertise of the individual. The tradition of color-coded regalia enhances the ceremony, fostering a rich and meaningful connection to academic disciplines.

What is the difference between a doctoral hood and a master's hood?

The key distinction between a doctoral hood and a master's hood lies in the length and design, signifying the level of academic achievement. A doctoral hood is typically longer and features a wider band of velvet compared to a master's hood. The velvet band on the doctoral hood often extends down the entire length, while on a master's hood, it covers only a portion. Additionally, the width of the hood itself varies, with doctoral hoods being wider. These differences in length and width serve as visual indicators, allowing for an immediate recognition of the wearer's academic accomplishment, whether it be a master's or doctoral degree, contributing to the rich tradition and symbolism of academic regalia.

What hat does a PhD candidate wear?

PhD candidates traditionally wear a mortarboard or tam as part of their academic regalia during graduation ceremonies. The mortarboard is a square cap with a flat, horizontal top, adorned with a tassel. The tassel's position can hold significance, with some institutions having candidates start with the tassel on the right and move it to the left after receiving their degrees. Alternatively, a tam is a softer, round cap often associated with doctoral regalia. Tams typically feature a gold metallic button at the center, and the tassel is attached to it. The choice between a mortarboard and a tam may depend on institutional traditions, and both add a distinguished finishing touch to the regalia, symbolizing the academic achievement of a doctoral degree. Our velvet tam packages provide just what you need for your graduation day. A beefeater is another doctoral cap worn by some PhD candidates. The beefeater is a velvet color cap with a tied tassel and a stable brim around the cap.

What are the various pieces of doctoral regalia?

Doctoral regalia comprises several key components that together form a distinguished ensemble. The central element is the deluxe doctoral gown, typically made of high-quality fabric, featuring full-length sleeves with velvet trim. The hood is another essential component, characterized by its length, width, and the color of its lining, denoting the academic discipline. The hood also showcases the velvet trim, indicating the degree level. Completing the regalia is the cap, with PhD candidates commonly wearing a mortarboard or a soft tam. The mortarboard is a square cap with a flat top, while the tam is a round, softer alternative. These pieces collectively symbolize the academic accomplishment and expertise of the individual, creating a visually striking representation of scholarly achievement during graduation ceremonies.

What is the significance of the doctoral hood?

The doctoral hood is a crucial and symbolic element of academic regalia, holding deep significance in its design and hood colors. Its length, width, and velvet trim convey the wearer's academic achievements. The colors of the hood's lining, chevrons, and velvet represent the field of study and the level of the degree earned, enriching the ceremony with symbolism. Beyond its visual appeal, the hood carries historical roots, tracing back to medieval times when scholars wore hoods to combat cold and damp conditions. Today, it serves as a tangible representation of scholarly accomplishments, reflecting the wearer's expertise and dedication. Donning the doctoral hood during graduation not only adds a sense of tradition and solemnity to the ceremony but also fosters a connection to the rich history and traditions of academia.

What is the significance of the tassel on the tam?

The tassel on the tam is a distinctive and symbolic element that carries historical and ceremonial significance. Traditionally, the tassel symbolizes the transition from candidate to graduate. During the ceremony, candidates wear the tassel on the right side of their cap, and upon receiving their doctoral degree, they move it to the left. This symbolic gesture represents the academic journey's completion and the attainment of the highest level of scholarly achievement. The movement of the tassel is often accompanied by a ceremonial turning of the hood as a visual marker of the transition. Beyond its ceremonial role, the tassel also contributes to the overall aesthetics of the academic regalia, adding a touch of tradition and symbolism to the distinctive attire worn during the momentous occasion of graduation. Tassels are frequently worn in school colors, but they can also be used to signify areas of study. You can find tassels available in many different colors, such as antique gold, light blue, royal blue, maroon, emerald green, and many others.

Does a PhD graduate wear a cap or a hood?

A PhD graduate traditionally wears both a cap and a hood as part of their academic regalia during graduation ceremonies. The cap is often a mortarboard or a soft doctoral tam, contributing to the overall distinguished appearance. The doctoral hood, however, holds particular significance. It features distinctive elements such as length, width, and colors that symbolize the candidate's academic discipline and degree level. The academic hood is typically draped over the candidate's shoulders and worn with the cap. The cap, adorned with a tassel, is usually worn in accordance with institutional traditions, starting on the right side and moved to the left after the degree is conferred. Both the cap and hood together represent the culmination of the candidate's scholarly journey and are essential elements in the visual representation of academic achievement during graduation ceremonies.

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Left: PhD hood on deluxe doctoral gown (with black velvet). Right: PhD hood on deluxe PhD gown (with PhD blue velvet).

Following a custom established in the 14th century, modern-day scholars display their academic achievements by wearing academic graduation hoods commencements and other important academic ceremonies.

All of our university regalia strictly complies with the guidelines set forth by the Committee on Academic Customs and Ceremonies, appointed in 1959 by the American Council on Education.

The velvet of the hood represents your degree.

We have listed the most common degree velvet colors below: Agriculture / Maize; Arts, Letters, Humanities / White Business (accountancy, commerce) / Drab Communications (includes Journalism) / Crimson Dentistry / Lilac Economics / Copper Education / Light Blue Engineering / Orange Fine Arts (including Architecture) / Brown Forestry / Russet Journalism - Communications / Crimson Law / Purple Library Science / Lemon Yellow Medicine / Hunter Green Music / Pink Nursing / Apricot Oratory (Speech) / Silver - Gray Pharmacy / Olive Green Philosophy /PhD Rich Royal Blue Physical Education / Sage Green Public Administration (includes Foreign Service) / Peacock Blue Public Health / Salmon Pink Science / Gold Social Work / Citron Theology (Divinity, Ministry, Religion) / Scarlet Veterinary Science / Gray Customized deluxe J.D. doctoral hood with doctoral gown. Purple velvet on both gown and hood. Bright gold piping added to both gown and hood.

In addition to the degree colors, each school generally has its own colors. If you know the colors that you need, be sure to let us know. Otherwise, let us know which school is your alma mater, and we will look up the colors for you.

Deluxe MBA Master's hood with faculty master's gown. Navy & White lining. No additional piping added.

As each hood is custom-made according to your school colors, degree colors, and type of degree (BA, MA, or PhD), we ask that you give us about +/- 8 weeks to process your order, especially during the graduation season. What if you don't have that much time to wait?

All hoods are priced by quantity. You do not have to purchase every hood the same to receive a the discount. For example, if you are ordering a large quantity of caps, gowns and hoods for faculty use but require your hoods to be in many different colors (as your faculty has graduated from different universities and holds different degrees), you would still receive the quanity discount!

What kind of hood do you need? You should purchase your hood to match the gown you have selected.

Deluxe quality PhD hoods / Doctoral hoods

The correct velvet for all Ph.D degrees is dark blue, representing the mastery of the discipline of scholarship. On the other hand, the correct velvet color for all non PhD doctoral holders (as well as masters and bachelors) would be that of their particular field. That means that while a Doctor of Education (EdD) would receive light blue velvet, a PhD in English would receive the dark blue velvet. A non-PhD Doctor of Science would receive Gold velvet, but a PhD in Science would receive the dark Blue Velvet. A non PhD Doctor of Engineering would receive Orange Velvet, but a PhD in Engineering would each receive the dark blue velvet. To avoid confusion, it is very important therefore for all doctors ordering hoods to clearly specify whether they are a PhD (and would be receiving the dark blue velvet regardless of their field) or a Doctor of …

Academic hoods are available with or without piping.

Deluxe Ed.D. doctoral hood with doctoral gown. Light blue piping added to both gown and hood.

Piping is often added to customized doctoral hoods to match doctoral gowns with piping.

Deluxe doctoral gown and Ed.D. doctoral hood. Gold piping added to both gown and hood.

Alternatevely, piping may be added to PhD hoods for PhD holders wishing to indicate their field of discipline. For example we could add gold piping to hood of a PhD of Science, or Light Blue piping for a PhD of Education to indicate their particular field of study since otherwise one would only be able to recognize that the person has a PhD (from their velvet), but not know what the PhD is in.

Deluxe Customized PhD gown and PhD hood. Light blue piping added to both gown and hood to represent PhD in Education.

The price for deluxe hoods with piping is $145.00 The price for deluxe hoods without piping is $130.00 The price for souvenir - student hoods (no piping) is $80.00

Deluxe PhD hood shown above, with gold piping added. Royal & Gold lining.

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Collection: academic hoods - associates, bachelors, masters, doctoral graduation hoods, associates custom hood - college graduation hood - custom your own, deluxe bachelors graduation custom hood - academic hood - custom your own, deluxe masters graduation custom hood - academic hood, deluxe doctoral graduation custom hood - academic regalia, deluxe masters graduation custom hood - faculty hood, academic regalia hoods color list your hood colors are a significant piece of your arrangement of academic regalia for graduations incorporates a hood, hat, and outfit. the hood, through the scholastic formal attire hues, more than some other thing speaks to your degree or control, alongside the school you joined in. the velvet edge speaks to your college or school discipline, the glossy silk hues your school and the general size and shape speak to the accomplishment of your degree. the following is a graduation hood color list. your scholarly hood hues are eventually the choice of your degree-conceding foundation and you. nonetheless, these are the official scholastic graduation attire hues. academic hood colors.

Additional Hood Specifications Hoods must be equipped with a lining that features the official colors of the institution conferring the degree; if more than one color is shown in the field, it will be divided with one or more chevrons. The pattern used on the hoods must be approved by the American Council on Education. Souvenir quality hoods are intended to be kept by students following the graduation ceremony; for the sake of economy, the lining of these hoods is generally the same fabric as the shell. Likewise, velvet is swapped out for velveteen colored trim in these instances. As outlined in the chart below, the trim color should indicate which degree subject a student is receiving. To be clear, a student receiving a Master of Science in Education should wear a hood trimmed with light blue as this color represents education, not yellow (which represents science).

No hood should feature a divided trim in an effort to represent multiple degrees or subjects. Instead, many institutions have simplified the process by not recognizing certain disciplines with a specific hood color, and rather categorizing them based on larger disciplines. For example, journalism graduates might wear white trim when graduating with their Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (since white represents arts and letters) as opposed to the specific trim color of crimson for journalism.

Understanding The Academic Hood

The color-coded system of hoods is critical to academic regalia as it identifies the degree and institution of the wearer. Oddly enough, graduation hoods are also the most misunderstood and improperly worn piece of graduate paraphernalia.

The Early History Of Academic Hoods

Academic hoods trace their history back to the medieval time period. There were colorful silk hoods and fur-lined hoods that were worn by academics in the 16th century. They became associated with learned people since hoods had mostly fallen out of fashion after window glazing became common among laymen in the 15th century.

The length and shape of the hood itself are designed to show the level of education the wearer has received. For example, a bachelor’s hood has a “simple” design, meaning it only has a cow and lira pipe (tail,) and was only three feet in length. The master’s hood, was similar, but had a lirapipe of four feet in length.  Due to its high cost and low prestige, it was often omitted from academic dress – a tradition that continues today. Standardizing The Hood With The 1895 Intercollegiate Code

The 1895 Intercollegiate Code was one of the first documents used to standardize academic hoods. It initially stated that the hood should be edged with either stain, silk or velvet – in a special color that would show the degree title of the wearer, as it appears on their diploma.

This lining was originally intended to be no wider than six inches. However, some major universities like Yale and University of Pennsylvania stipulated a width of no more than four inches. Even more specifically, Princeton’s regulation required the hood to have:

• Velvet edging 2 inches wide for bachelor’s hoods
• Velvet edging 3 inches wide for master’s hoods
• Velvet edging 5 inches wide for doctoral hoods

These standards were quickly adopted by other manufacturers. Velvet was the most often-used material, as it provided a good contrast to the softer, silken material and complemented other design aspects of the doctoral gown.

However, as there were hundreds of different educational institutions in the US, it became difficult to assign a unique lining pattern for the hood. By the early 1930s, the Bureau only offered unique hood linings to schools that offered doctoral programs.

Understanding The Roots Of Modern Academic Hoods

Though the 1895 Intercollegiate Code was the first major document to standardize modern academic hoods, today’s hoods have other influences, too. Harvard University is one of these.

In 1902, Harvard specified that all master’s hoods worn at the school would be 3.5 feet in length. Within just a few years, a length of 3.5 feet became standard at almost every school in the United States.

In addition, Harvard required the doctor’s hood to have a “full” rather than “simple” shape. This means that it has multiple “panels” (also known as a “cape”) on either side of the hood. It was required to be 4 feet in length.

The shape of the hood has also changed over time. It began with a fully-rounded bottom. However, by 1902, most manufacturers had flattened this curvature – likely to help cut production costs and expenses.

All hoods created in America are based on the same template – the Oxford University Bachelor of Arts hood from the 1890s. This used a unique “split salmon” design that allowed the wearer to fold the cowl back and show off more of the interior lining, compared to other standard hoods used in Britain.

Another common feature of modern bachelor’s and master’s hoods is a liripipe (trail) with crescent-shaped cutouts that match those of the bottom of the sleeves of a master’s gown. In contrast, a doctoral hood has a rectangular liripipe and lacks these cutouts. It also has a rounded cape that helps complement the bell-shaped, rounded sleeves of the doctoral gown.

For most bachelor’s hoods, the exterior is created from worsted wool, which is also used for traditional bachelor's gowns. Silk is used to match the smoother material of the master’s and doctor’s gowns. Regardless of the outside material, though, today’s hoods typically use a silk lining in the colors of the college that conferred the wearer with their degree.

Academic Hoods Have A Long History!

Though modern standards for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s hoods have changed and today’s hoods are thoroughly modern, they still have a long history that traces back more than 500 years – and it’s interesting to understand how and why traditions like these hoods, which are often taken for granted, have come to be!

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Designed to convey an individual’s rank, discipline, and achievements, the graduation hood is unique to each graduate. Create a custom look for each graduate by correctly choosing the color code for each graduation hood.

Designed to be worn with any of our gowns, a graduation hood comes in a variety of colors. Many universities and colleges choose to use formal black for the gown, but choose to show the particular degree by the hood color. Our hoods are worn over the gown, but held securely in place by the clever shape and design details.

Made up of several different quality fabrics, our specialty graduation hoods pay fine attention to detail, style, and color placement. Faculty or graduates can wear hoods denoting their particular level of education and course of study.

Our Graduation Hood options include:

• A full compliment of color to denote any discipline or field of study
• Use of the highest quality fabrics to ensure durability
• Ease of styling that allows for ease of wear

Understanding Graduation Hood Colors: Symbolism and Meaning

Graduation ceremonies are steeped in tradition, and the academic regalia worn during these events carry significant symbolism, particularly the hoods. The colors and designs of these hoods represent various academic achievements and degrees. Let's delve into the meanings behind the colors of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral graduation hoods.

Bachelor's Degree Hood Colors:

Bachelor's degree hoods typically feature a simple design. The color of the hood's lining often corresponds to the graduate's field of study or the institution's official colors. While variations exist among different universities and disciplines, some common colors include:

• White : Often represents arts and humanities
• Light Blue : Associated with learning and education
• Gold/Yellow : Linked to science and knowledge
• Brown : Symbolizes social science and related fields

Master's Degree Hood Colors:

Master's degree hoods usually feature a more elaborate design compared to bachelor's hoods. The hood's color often reflects the specific area of study or faculty. Common colors for master's degrees include:

• Various Shades : Different shades of the color associated with the respective field of study during the bachelor's degree.

For example:

• Green : Frequently denotes degrees in medicine or healthcare-related fields
• Gold/Yellow : Common for degrees in business or management
• Purple : Often linked with law or humanities

Doctoral Degree Hood Colors:

Doctoral hoods are the most elaborate and ornate, signifying the highest level of academic achievement. The colors and designs of these hoods typically carry more intricate meanings, often linked to the specific field or discipline of the doctorate. Some common colors include:

• Dark Blue : Common for degrees in philosophy (Ph.D.) and representing the mastery of learning
• Gold/Yellow : Associated with degrees in science or engineering
• Maroon : Often linked to degrees in theology or law

Understanding the symbolism behind graduation hood colors adds depth and significance to the celebratory occasion of academic achievement. While colors may vary across institutions, these traditional representations remain an integral part of the rich history and symbolism of academic regalia.

Whether it's the pursuit of a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree, the colors woven into graduation hoods symbolize the dedication, perseverance, and expertise acquired by graduates during their academic journey.

Academic graduation hoods feature a wide array of colors that symbolize various fields of study and degrees. The color chart for academic hoods typically includes a range of hues, each associated with specific disciplines or areas of expertise. Here's an extensive list of colors and their meanings commonly used in academic regalia:

• White : Often signifies the arts, humanities, and letters. It's also sometimes used for disciplines like English, literature, and the liberal arts.
• Light Blue : Represents learning and education, commonly associated with degrees in education and pedagogy.
• Gold/Yellow : Signifies science and knowledge. It is often seen in academic hoods for degrees in the sciences, such as mathematics, physics, and biology.
• Brown : Symbolic of social science disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and anthropology.
• Green : Commonly used for degrees in medicine, pharmacy, and other health-related fields. It also represents the field of physical sciences in some cases.
• Purple : Historically associated with law, this color is also used in hoods for degrees in humanities and theology.
• Dark Blue : Frequently denotes philosophy degrees (Ph.D.) and signifies the mastery of learning.
• Maroon : Seen in hoods for degrees in theology, law, and sometimes economics or business.
• Orange : Represents engineering and typically appears in hoods for engineering degrees.
• Salmon Pink : Often associated with degrees in music.
• Citron : Commonly used in hoods for degrees in information technology or computing.
• Copper : Represents economics and commerce-related disciplines.
• Apricot : Occasionally used for hoods in nursing and allied health programs.
• Peacock Blue : Can symbolize degrees in public administration or public health.
• Silver Gray : Sometimes used for degrees in veterinary science.
• Scarlet : Associated with degrees in fine arts and theater.
• Olive Green : Found in hoods for degrees in pharmacy and pharmacology.
• Drab : Historically used for degrees in accounting.
• Teal : Represents degrees in counseling and psychology.
• Russet : Seen in hoods for degrees in forestry and environmental studies.
• Magenta : Occasionally used in hoods for degrees in communication or journalism.
• Gold Yellow and Brown : Combining gold yellow and brown, this combination sometimes represents degrees in business administration and management.

Remember, these colors may vary among different institutions, and some universities might have their specific shades or variations for certain disciplines. However, this comprehensive color chart provides a general overview of the diverse colors and their meanings within academic graduation hoods, signifying the rich tapestry of knowledge and expertise within different fields of study.

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Academic Hoods Explained – Everything That You Need To Know!

Whether you’re grad student about to graduate, or you’re interested in purchasing academic hoods for your faculty, it’s important to understand the basics about academic hoods, and how they are used to define the specialty, education, field of study, and other information about the wearer.

The subject of academic hoods and graduation hoods can be quite complex. So we’ve broken down everything you need to know in the following article. Take a look now, and get all the information you need about academic hoods.

Understanding Academic Hoods – The Four Parts Of An Academic Hood

Modern academic hoods typically comprise four different, distinct components, as follows:

• The shell fabric (exterior of the hood)
• The velvet edge, which runs along the edge of the shell fabric
• The satin field (or “lining), which makes up the interior shell of the hood
• A chevron is used to divide the colors of the satin field, if necessary (due to school colors, earning of two degrees, etc.)

We will discuss all of these components in-turn, so that you have a full understanding of academic hoods, and how they are designed.

The Velvet Edge Trim – Choosing A Color

The trim of an academic hood is, arguably, the most important component of its design. The velvet edge of the hood is what represents your specific degree or discipline. Depending on the field in which you study, a different edge color will be required. Below is a list of some of the most common fields of study, and the associated colors of velvet trim:

This is only for reference. While this is the official academic regalia hood color list, your school and educational institutions are responsible for deciding what colors will be used in your hood. Make sure to confer with the appropriate personnel at your school, to make sure you get the proper velvet edge trim.

The length of the velvet edge trim is also important. The length should be:

• 2 inches for a bachelor’s degree
• 3 inches for a master’s degree
• 5 inches for a doctoral degree

Only one color of trim can be used. If you have multiple degrees, you must use the hood and color that represents your highest ranking degree , with Doctoral degrees as the highest, followed by masters, Bachelors, and Associate.

If you have two equal, but different degrees – a Masters in both Engineering and City Planning, for example, you would use the degree which was awarded to you the most recently.

Hood Shell Color

The hood shell color is almost always black. This is the traditional color of an academic hood and graduation hood, as the rest of the academic dress for master’s and doctoral students is black.

In rare cases, this may be different. However, it is very unlikely – so we recommend ordering your hood with a black hood shell color, unless you have specifically been told to do otherwise.

Interior Lining Color And Chevron

The interior lining color of a graduation hood can have a bit of variation, depending on the college or university that is issuing the degree. Typically, the hood is lined with the official color/colors of the college that is issuing the degree.

One solid color is the most common. However, if multiple colors are used – for a school both blue and gold official colors, for example – a chevron pattern is used to divide each color.

Again, your academic institution will have the appropriate guidelines on file, so make sure to inquire and get the details about what’s expected of your academic hood, and how it should be designed.

Understanding Hood Shape – And What It Means

The shape of a hood is also important for academic regalia. Different levels of education require a differently shaped and sized hood.

• Associate’s degree – A hood is not used for associates degrees. Instead, a special cowl is used, if traditional mortarboard hats are not used at the graduation ceremony.
• Bachelor's degree – A hood for a bachelor’s degree is relatively short. The hood is three feet in length.
• Master’s degree – The hood for master’s degree is more sharply-pointed than that for a bachelor’s, and must have a length of 3.5 feet.
• Doctoral degree – The doctoral hood is even more pointed and sharp, compared to the master’s hood, and must have a length of 4 feet.

Purchasing Academic Hoods And Graduation Hoods – What You Need To Know

 According to the Academic Costume Code and Academic Ceremony Guide, each academic costume company has complete records of approved colors for each college and educational institution – but this is no longer the case.

Because there are so many colleges all around the country and many new degrees and fields of study being developed, it’s difficult for wholesalers like us to keep up. Each school has their different practices for academic regalia design, colors, and other specifics, we cannot guarantee that you will get the proper hood – unless you make sure to review your own academic policies.

 But, as a direct manufacturer of academic regalia, we are the best choice for graduation hoods and academic hoods. We can create custom hoods based on the requirements of your school – at a much lower cost than our competitors.

However, before you place your order for academic regalia, it’s important to do the following things.

• Make sure you clearly understand your school’s policy about academic dress, colors for hood trimmings and linings, chevrons, and other such details about the hood
• If a tam or mortarboard is worn by the graduates
• Whether a six-sided or eight-sided tam is used (if applicable)
• Whether the standard black is used for the gown and hood shell, or if another color is used
• Whether there is an embroidered symbol placed on the gown velvet (which is rare, but still done at some schools)
• If there are any special aspects of the hood and regalia which are not covered by these above questions

Typically, if you have questions about academic regalia, you may ask them at your university bookstore. As this is where regalia is typically purchased, they will have the details about regulations and requirements for academic dress.

Shop Now – And Save

Whether you’re interested in purchasing your own robe and graduation hood for a discount – compared to the price from your university bookstore – or you’re a faculty member at a major college or university, and are looking for an inexpensive, reliable supplier of academic regalia, Graduation Cap and Gown is an ideal choice for bachelors, masters and doctoral hoods.

Start shopping our selection of academic hoods and graduation regalia now, and see how much you can save by ordering directly from a wholesale manufacturer.

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• Academic Hood Colors List

Official Degree Color Chart

This Academic Hood Colors List serves an important function for your set of graduation Academic Regalia (hood, tam, and gown). The regalia hood colors typically include four sections: shell fabric, velvet edge, satin field, and satin chevron. The color of the velvet edge is determined using this official degree color chart . That velvet edge hood color, sometimes known as Academic Regalia Inter-Collegiate Colors, represents your specific degree or discipline. The satin field and chevron (the hood lining colors) represent your university or college school colors. The overall size and shape represents the type of degree: bachelor's, master's, or doctoral (with the narrow end getting progressively longer with the higher ranking degrees). Finally, the fabric shell color simply matches the fabric color of the graduation gown, which is usually black but sometimes is another color depending on the degree-granting institution. Associate degrees use a special cowl instead of a hood. Below is the official academic regalia hood color list. Your academic hood colors are ultimately the decision of your degree-granting institution and you. However, these are the official academic regalia colors.

See the footnote for PhD degrees, rules regarding multiple degrees, and determining your field and chevron colors.

Academic Regalia Inter-Collegiate Colors

* In determining your academic regalia colors, please note the following: All PhD degrees (as opposed to Doctorate degrees) use "PhD Blue", which is dark blue, in the academic colors. For example, a Doctorate in Psychology would include in your academic hood colors the color Gold, however a PhD in Psychology would use dark blue. If you are unsure if your degree is a Doctorate or PhD, please contact your administrative advisor to determine your precise degree title and academic regalia hood colors.

If you have multiple degrees , the rule is that you use only one hood, and only one degree/discipline color. You use the hood and color that represents your highest ranking degree (with Doctoral as highest, Masters as second highest, Bachelors as third highest, and Associate as the lowest). If you have two different degrees at the same highest ranking degree, you generally use the most recently awarded degree as your hood.

If you have an unlisted degree , there is no official color and it is dependant on the individual college or university to determine the color to be used for your hood. Typically, the most similar degree on the official chart is chosen. For example, if your degree is in an advance computer science field, usually the school chooses Science Gold for the degree color.

Hood Lining Colors (Field and Chevron)

The above list describes only your velvet colors. There are three additional colors that typically go into your hood. They are the shell fabric (usually black, but sometimes the color of your robe if your robe is a special color that your university uses), and the lining colors.

Hoods are lined with the official color or colors of the college or university conferring the degree. More than one color is shown by division of the field color in a variety of ways. Most schools divide the color by using a single chevron. Occasionally, a school might use more than one chevron, no chevron but instead a single field color, an equal division, a reverse chevron, a straight bar, or other methods. While Academic Apparel can make any variety of hood, please note that the online ordering system assumes a single field and a single standard chevron. For other unusual types of hoods, you will have to use our downloadable fax forms.

Starlight Washable Satin (for hood school colors - Professional Style Hoods Only )

* Indicates a color not yet available in washable satin. These are instead substituted with acetate satins, which must be dry cleaned.

Polyester Taffeta (for hood school colors - Verona Style Hoods Only )

The official "Academic Costume Code and Academic Ceremony Guide" includes a sentence that reads as follows: "The various academic costume companies maintain complete files on the approved colors for various institutions."

Once upon a time long ago, that sentence was correct. However, that was before colleges started springing up across the nation at a rapid rate in the last 50 years or so, and before institutions started the practice of changing their hood colors depending on style or taste or the desires of the student body or economics for bulk manufacturing (sometimes even on a yearly basis).

We are the direct manufacturer of academic regalia.  This means one good thing and one bad thing (from your perspective). 

The good thing is our prices are significantly lower than your degree-granting university would charge to sell them to you, yet the quality is the same or better than what they offer.  That's because we are a relatively lean organization, independent, with over 60 years of experience, and we do not pay sales representatives, or have retail stores, or have a large advertising and marketing budget.

The bad thing is we cannot keep up with the changes each university makes to their regalia each year, and therefore require that our customers make their own inquiries to their degree-granting universities to discover what the current regalia colors are supposed to be for that school before placing an order.

We suggest you find out in advance of ordering what your school colors are, and which goes in the field and which goes in the chevron of the hood. You might also ask the following additional information: 1) whether they use 6 or 8 sides for their tam (if you are buying a tam); 2) whether they use a tam or a mortarboard for a Master's degree (if you are inquiring about a master's gown regalia set); 3) whether they use the standard black for the gown and hood shell color or if they have a special color; 4) whether they use an embroidered school emblem or symbol on the gown velvet an dif so what it looks like (these are fairly rare, but a few schools use them); 5) and if there is anything special about the regalia not covered by those questions. 

Generally the best source for this information is the University book store or student store. Someone at most bookstores has all of this information.

You should know that you have the right to purchase your gown from any manufacturer, and not just the company that has a contract with your university. By getting this information on your own and purchasing your regalia from Academic Apparel, you will be saving money, and getting a regalia set that looks at least as good as what your school offers, and often it looks and feels significantly better than the bulk manufactured chinese gowns many colleges are now selling (and ours will last longer than those gowns too).

While we would really like to help you obtain this information, and hope to some day send out surveys each year to each university asking for this data, it is beyond our abilities to do so right now. If you are willing to do the footwork to find this information out, we know you will get a superb robe, hood, and tam from us, at prices that cannot be beat.

• Order Online
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Related Pages

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• Graduation Ceremony How To

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See also Deluxe Doctoral Gowns Custom Doctoral Gowns Doctoral Tams

In the case of Ph.D. hoods, the wearer will normally wear the Ph.D. blue velvet on his or her hood regardless of the field or discipline of their Ph.D. This means, for example, that whereas a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) would wear sky blue velvet representing Education, a Ph.D. in Education would wear the darker Ph.D. blue. For that reason, it is important that Ph.D. holders order their hoods as Ph.D. hoods rather than Doctor of... hoods. The cost of Ph.D. and doctoral hoods, and post-doctoral Masters hoods is $145.00 with piping, or $130.00 without piping.  

Deluxe Ph.D. gown with Gold Piping shown with Ph.D. hood with Gold Piping.

Doctoral Regalia Order Form

Deluxe Ed.D. - Doctor of Education Hood with Sky blue velvet (for edu).

Deluxe Doctoral Gown, black velvet, shown with Deluxe Hood without piping.

Custom Regalia

Specialty regalia for a special occasion.

Oak Hall’s custom regalia is considered the finest in the industry. We use only the highest quality materials and velvets in manufacturing. Our requirements dictate that each robe is individually tailored giving you unparalleled quality, comfort, and fit.

Many colleges and universities have established their own distinctive color for their academic regalia. Oak Hall is pleased to have been included in designing and manufacturing these unique garments. We would love to have the opportunity to work with you on designing unique regalia for your college or university.

Traditional Academic Regalia

Tired of continually renting? Look your best with regalia that has been custom tailored to your measurements, a perfect fit at all times.

Presidential Regalia

A President of a college or university needs to look their best on commencement day. Order a custom, high-quality gown designed specially for you and featuring your school's emblem.

Trustee and Marshal Regalia

Specialty regalia for trustees of colleges and university is a growing trend. Trustees and marshals can order custom gowns to match their school colors.

Special Regalia

Your academic regalia is as personal to you as the honor it represents. Oak Hall partners with colleges and universities across the United States to establish distinct regalia that is custom to their school.

Golden Grad Regalia

Honor your Golden Grads! Oak Hall has a variety of options available; from rental or purchase of rich golden gowns, to specially designed medallions.

Academic Hoods, Caps, & Tams

From Associate to Doctoral, and everything in between, Oak Hall's academic hoods, caps, and tams are of the highest quality and are made in accordance with the American Council on Education's Academic Costume Code.

Have A Question?

We can answer any sizing or color questions you may have and get your order started.

(800) 223-0429

Call Between 8:15 AM and 5 PM EST or Email us at [email protected]

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Academic hood degree color chart.

Doctoral Degree Academic Hoods, PhD Doctorate Academic Regalia

Masters Graduation Hoods for University

Bachelors Degree Hoods, Academic Regalia

Academic regalia hood diagram.

When ordering a bachelor's, master's, or doctor's hood, you will need to know what colors you want for each of these four areas:

1. Velvet Color: Based on degree and discipline. 2. Lining Color: 1st school color, in the large area. 3. Chevron Color: 2nd school color, in the center. 4. Fabric Color: The standard fabric is black.

Collegiate Degree/Lining/Chevron Colors for Academic Regalia

• Agriculture
• Blue-Violet
• Architecture
• Arts in Education
• Business Administration
• Business Education
• Chiropractic
• City Planning
• Civil Engineering
• Commercial Science
• Communication
• Conservation
• Counseling and Guidance
• Science Gold
• Criminology
• Midnight Blue
• Criminal Justice
• Dental Surgery
• Dramatic Arts
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Foreign Affairs
• Peacock Blue
• Foreign Service
• Health and Rehabilitation
• Industrial Arts
• Industrial and Labor Relations
• Jurisprudence
• Library Science
• Mathematics
• Kelly Green
• Military Science
• Personnel Services
• Philanthropy
• Philosophy*
• Physical Science
• Police Science
• Political Science
• Public Administration
• Salmon Pink
• Public Health
• Public Service
• Regional Planning
• Religious Education
• Sacred Theology
• Sanitary Science
• Social Ethics
• Social Science
• Social Service
• Social Work
• Surgical Chiropody
• Urban Planning
• Veterinary Science

Additional Lining & Chevron Colors

• Emerald Green
• Bachelor's Degree Hoods
• Master's Degree Hoods
• Doctoral Hoods
• Bachelor's Graduation Hoods
• Master's Graduation Hoods
• Doctorate PhD Hoods

GRADUATION HOODS FOR YOUR GRADUATION

Graduation Hoods and Academic Hoods on sale at Graduation Shop. Our Graduation Hood and Academic Hood departments include bachelor academic hoods, masters academic hoods, doctorate academic hoods for your college and university. Browse through our complete selection of graduation academic hoods to find the graduation hood that best suits you for your collegiate graduation commencement. The Academic Hood is a very important part of your graduation. At Gradshop we will help you choose the right colors and style for your graduation.

Featured Graduation Hoods

Bachelors Graduation Hoods for University

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For other doctorates ( non PhD ) or degrees, the hood velvet colors are listed below:

Agriculture -Maize Arts / Letters / Humanities - academic hood velvet: White Business / Accountancy / Commerce - academic hood velvet: Drab Communications / Journalism - academic hood velvet: Crimson Dentistry - academic hood velvet: Lilac Economics - academic hood velvet: Copper Education - academic hood velvet: Light Blue Engineering - academic hood velvet: Orange Fine Arts (including Architecture) - Brown Forestry - academic hood velvet: Russet Journalism - Communications / academic hood velvet: Crimson Law - academic hood velvet: Purple Library Science - academic hood velvet: Lemon Yellow Medicine - academic hood velvet: Hunter Green Music - academic hood velvet: Pink Nursing - academic hood velvet: Apricot Oratory (Speech) - academic hood velvet: Silver - Gray Pharmacy - academic hood velvet: Olive Green Philosophy - academic hood velvet: PhD Rich Royal Blue Physical Education - academic hood velvet: Sage Green Public Administration (includes Foreign Service) - academic hood velvet: Peacock Blue Public Health - academic hood velvet: Salmon Pink Science - academic hood velvet: Bright Gold Social Work - academic hood velvet: Citron Theology (including Divinity, Ministry, Religion) - academic hood velvet: Scarlet Veterinary Science - academic hood velvet: Gray

That means that while a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) would receive light blue velvet, but a PhD in English would receive the dark blue velvet. Similarly

a non-PhD Doctor of Science would receive Gold velvet, but a PhD in Science would receive the dark Blue Velvet.

a non-PhD Doctor of Engineering would receive Orange Velvet, but a PhD in Engineering would each receive the dark blue velvet.

To avoid confusion, it is very important therefore for all doctors ordering hoods to clearly specify whether they are a PhD (and would be receiving the dark blue velvet regardless of their field) or a Doctor of …

For that reason, we offer the option of added piping on our PhD gowns and hoods, for example light blue piping for a PhD in education; scarlet piping for a PhD in theology, etc., such that PhD's in fields other than philosophy can "show their discipline" at the same time that they show their PhD.

Generic gold piping is also an option for doctors wanting to "dress up" their gown and/or hood.

Piping is often added to customized doctoral hoods to match doctoral gowns with piping.

In addition to the degree colors, each school generally has its own colors. These "school colors" are represented by the colors of the satin lining in the back of the hood.

As each hood is custom-made according to your school colors, degree colors, and type of degree (BA, MA, or PhD), we ask that you give us about +/- 8 weeks to process your order, especially during the graduation season. What if you don't have that much time to wait? No problem -- ask us about our free loaner hood program!

The price for deluxe hoods with piping is $145.00 The price for deluxe hoods without piping is $130.00 The price for souvenir - student hoods (no piping) is $80.00

Online Order Form for All Doctoral Graduation Regalia

[email protected]

Information About Academic Hoods

Hoods in the medieval period were lined with fur in the winter and colorful silk in the summer and were a part of academic dress by the 16 th century, having fallen out of fashion among laymen after the introduction of window glazing in the middle of the 1400s.

It was the academic hood that most fully achieved the goal of the Intercollegiate Commission of Academic Costume to create a sartorial taxonomy that indicates the wearer’s degree and the college or university that conferred the degree.

The technical advisor to the commission was Gardner Cotrell Leonard, President of the Intercollegiate Bureau of Academic Costume and the head of the academic costume division of his family’s Cotrell & Leonard firm in Albany, New York. After the Intercollegiate Code of Academic Costume was ratified on 16 May 1895, Leonard described it as being

a statute that might be adopted by any institution, classifying the types of gowns, and doing a valuable constructive work in the sections which arranged a scheme of pattern and coloring to make the hood a plain badge of the degree, be it Bachelor, Master or Doctor; of the department of learning, be it Arts, Philosophy, Law, Theology or other; and of the institution granting the degree or with which the holder was then connected.

The level of the degree is communicated by the length and shape of the hood. A bachelor’s hood is three feet in length and is of “simple” shape, which means it has a cowl and liripipe (the “tail”) only. Due to cost, the bachelor’s hood was not commonly worn, an omission that continues today. A master’s hood is also of simple shape and was originally four feet in length. In 1902 Harvard University stipulated that its master’s hoods would be 3½ feet in length, and within a few years this became the standard length for all master’s hoods tailored in the United States. The doctor’s hood is of full shape, which means it has a cape (or “panels”) on either side of the cowl, and is four feet in length. Originally the shape of the cape was fully rounded at the bottom, but by 1902 manufacturers had begun to flatten the curvature of the bottom of the cape.

Whether simple or full, the American hood was based on the Oxford University Bachelor of Arts hood of the 1890s, with a “split salmon” shape that allowed the cowl to be folded back to display more of the lining than was typical of British hoods. On American hoods, a black cord and button are used to keep the two halves of the hood lining in close proximity.

The hood is worn around the neck, held in place by a black cord that can be attached to a button on the front of the wearer’s shirt.

The liripipe of the bachelor’s and master’s hoods have crescent-shaped cutouts on the trailing edge. This shape is echoed in the cutout at the bottom of the sleeves of the master’s gown . The liripipe of the doctoral hood is rectangular, with no crescent-shaped cutout, and the rounded shape of the hood’s cape echoes the rounded, bell-shaped sleeves of the doctor’s gown .

Today the Burgon Society uses the Groves Classification System to describe various types of academic hoods. The American doctoral hood is classified as pattern [f14]. The American bachelor’s and master’s hoods are not assigned a unique pattern in the Groves system; they are an amalgamation of the contemporary Oxford University simple [s1] and Wales University simple [s5] patterns.

The exterior of the hood is tailored from the same black “worsted stuff” (bachelor’s) or silk (master’s and doctor’s) fabric as the gown, but the hood is lined with silk in the colors of the college that conferred the degree. The 1895 Intercollegiate Code stated that the hood’s lining colors could also represent the college or university at which the faculty member was employed, but this practice was never common and began to fall out of favor in the 1930s.

The school colors in the hood lining are divided using various heraldic patterns so that each college or university that registered with the Intercollegiate Bureau of Academic Costume was assigned a hood lining pattern unique to that school. About a quarter-inch of this silk lining would be carried over the edge of the doctoral cape so that the shape of the black cape could be seen against the black gown; better made hoods would edge the cape with cording (or “piping”) in one of the colors of the hood lining.

According to the 1895 Intercollegiate Code, the hood should be edged with silk, satin, or velvet in a color that would indicate the “Faculty” of the degree title as it appears on the diploma of the wearer. In practice, velvet was almost always used, probably because it provided a nice contrast to the silk lining fabric and complemented the velvet facings and sleeve bars on the doctoral gown. Initially the 1895 Code said that this trim should be no wider than six inches, but the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University stipulated that it be no wider than four inches. Princeton’s regulations (written in late 1895 or early 1896) were more specific; there the width of the trim indicated the level of the degree: bachelor’s hoods used velvet edging two inches wide, master’s hoods used velvet edging three inches wide, and doctoral hoods used velvet edging five inches wide. These widths were quickly adopted by most academic hood manufacturers, although some doctoral hoods were trimmed with velvet four to 4½ inches wide to avoid giving a disproportionately exaggerated appearance to the hood edging.

Due to a misinterpretation of a photograph and caption in a 1939 pamphlet entitled The Story of Caps and Gowns written by Helen Walters and published by academic costume manufacturer E.R. Moore, some academic costume manufacturers and at least one or two colleges thought that the heraldic pattern in the academic hood lining signified the level of one’s degree. One example of this misinterpretation can be seen in article entitled “To Increase Your Enjoyment of Commencement Pageantry” in the May 1959 edition of the Southern California Alumni Review , which erroneously stated that two chevrons indicated a Bachelor’s degree, a parti per chevron division indicated a Master’s degree, and a single chevron indicated a Doctor’s degree. Fortunately, this misunderstanding of the Intercollegiate Code never became widespread.

As seen in the photograph to the right, a feature unique to American academic hoods is a cord used to pull the two sides of the hood lining together so that the colors and heraldic pattern are more clearly displayed. Originally incorporated by Gardner Cotrell Leonard on the hoods produced at Cotrell & Leonard, this cord quickly became standard on hoods produced by all American academic costume manufacturers. The cord also helps to keep the hood on the wearer’s shoulders and close to the neck. Photographs in early Cotrell & Leonard catalogues show that Leonard intended the cord to be passed through the braided loop and button on the back yoke of the gown , to help prevent the hood from slipping down the wearer’s back, due to its weight. But this method of wearing the hood cord was soon forgotten and today the braided loop and button on the gown’s yoke is merely a vestigial decoration.

Initially, the Code also permitted professors who had earned more than one doctoral degree to divide the velvet trim on their hood and gown to display two or more Faculty colors, but this was rarely seen in practice. It was officially proscribed by the 1935 Academic Costume Code as “bad form”, because “the imagination dislikes to contemplate the results to which such a proposal might lead if, as often happens, the wearer held doctorates in three or more subjects”.

Approving new Faculty colors and assigning a unique hood lining pattern to every college and university that requested one were the responsibilities of the Intercollegiate Bureau of Academic Costume. Gardner Cotrell Leonard, the Bureau’s president until his death in 1921, said that the Intercollegiate Commission had given the Bureau this authority “to avoid confusion, easily arising from independent action in the choice of colors representative of the degrees, or in the combination of colors in hood linings.”

Since there were hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States, assigning a unique hood lining pattern to each was a herculean task. Unfortunately, Leonard’s successors at the Bureau were not interested in maintaining this system, and very quickly it fell into disarray. But even while Leonard was alive the Intercollegiate Bureau began to cut corners. Synonymous color descriptions (like “dark blue”, “navy blue”, “Yale blue”, and “deep blue”) were often used to hide the fact that two or more schools had been assigned hood lining patterns that were, in fact, identical.

By the early 1930s, the Bureau seems to have stopped assigning unique hood linings to schools that only offered bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Only colleges and universities with doctoral programs would be assigned individualized hood lining patterns, as these were the only hoods that would be used professionally, by faculty.

Collegiate colors

Heraldic patterns

Faculty colors

UC celebrates record graduating class at commencement

Family and friends cheer grads during four ceremonies at fifth third arena.

The University of Cincinnati celebrated its largest graduating class in its 205-year history during three days of commencement ceremonies.

Thousands of friends and family filled Fifth Third Arena on Saturday for the last of four ceremonies honoring the spring class of 2024.

In his commencement address, UC President Neville Pinto noted that the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced the cancellation of many high school graduations across the country.

“I recognize that for some of you, this is your first graduation ceremony,” he said. “So I want you to have a fun and enjoy this for both graduations.”

Pinto quoted 1980s cultural icon Ferris Bueller in urging graduates to embrace the important things: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Pinto told graduates to make time for themselves to think and reflect — moments of mental rest that creative geniuses from Albert Einstein to Lin Manuel Miranda credit for their greatest inspirations.

And he closed with the abiding philosophy of writer Henry David Thoreau, who spent two years contemplating the world from a tiny cabin next to a Massachusetts pond: “ I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, to discover that I had not lived.”

Miss the ceremony? Watch it here

Find the commencement program or watch the livestream of the four ceremonies that make up UC's largest-ever commencement.

President Neville Pinto addresses students during UC's Doctoral Hooding and Master's Recognition Ceremony at Fifth Third Arena. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

About the spring class of 2024

UC conferred 7,521 degrees to 7,391 students during its spring commencement. (Some students earned multiple degrees.) Both represent new records dating back two centuries at UC for a single graduating class, based on preliminary figures from UC's Office of Institutonal Research.

UC awarded 539 associate degrees, 4,549 baccalaureate degrees, 252 doctoral degrees, 1,886 master’s degrees, 3 micro-credentials and 292 professional certificates.

This year 15% of graduates are first-generation college students. And 210 students come from Cincinnati Public Schools. Nearly 3% of grads are U.S. veterans or dependents of veterans.

New this year, three students graduated from UC’s micro-credentialing program as electronic health records specialists. UC also celebrated its first spring graduating class in the new master’s of legal studies program.

The spring class of 2024 has the largest-ever percentage of master’s and doctoral graduates, representing more than 28% of graduates. And nearly 15% of grads participated through distance learning programs.

Graduates hail from 84 of Ohio’s 88 counties, a new record. They come from all 50 states and 81 countries as far away as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Philippines and Japan.

Undergraduate student speaker Ritika Joshi from UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science tells graduates that they will always be united as Bearcats. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

Marking milestones

In her student address to undergraduates, UC College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate Ritika Joshi said her classmates all belong to a special community.

“Each of us has embarked on our own wild ride, navigating twists, turns and unexpected detours to arrive on this incredible day,” she said. “Here we are today, united as Bearcats and bound by our victories. ”

Joshi, a computer science major, referenced UC's motto, Juncta Juvant , or strength through unity.

“UC has prepared us for the global stage with the empowering mantra Next Lives Here by providing transformative co-ops, global opportunities, cutting-edge research and lifelong connections through student organizations,” she said. “We are eternally grateful for these invaluable experiences.”

There has never been a better time to be a Bearcat.

Phil Collins, Chairman of UC's Board of Trustees

UC Board of Trustees Chairman Phil Collins congratulated graduates on behalf of the board. He is a 1989 graduate of the Lindner College of Business.

“Our board views commencement as the most important day in the life of the university,” Collins said. “There has never been a better time to be a Bearcat.”

Collins offered grads some advice from personal experience.

“I strongly encourage you to stay close to the friends you made here,” he said. “I have come to learn there is something very special about the friends you make in college and if you invest in those relationships, they're a lifelong gift.

“There has never been a better time to be a Bearcat,” he said.

UC President Neville Pinto, left, presents an honorary degree to UC graduate and Allbirds co-founder Timothy Brown during commencement. Brown graduated from UC's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning in 2005. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

Homecoming for Brown

The Board of Trustees awarded a Doctor of Arts and Humane Letters  Honoris Causa  to UC graduate and standout soccer player Timothy Brown, co-founder and chief innovation officer for the sustainable shoe and clothing company Allbirds.

Board of Trustees member Michelle “Shelly” Gillis presented the honorary degree to Brown “for his deep understanding of the study of design, his expertise in entrepreneurship and his commitment to sustainability.”

Brown studied graphic design in UC's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning before turning pro, playing for the Richmond Kickers in Virginia, the Newcastle Jets in Australia and the Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand.

“A quarter century ago, you followed a soccer scholarship 8,000 miles from New Zealand to Cincinnati to chase a childhood dream,” Pinto said.

At UC, Pinto said, Brown developed the entrepreneurial spirit that would inspire him to create a publicly traded company valued today at $1 billion.

“Later, as vice captain for the New Zealand All Whites, you led your soccer team to the pinnacle of success, the FIFA World Cup,” he said.

Brown used his experience as a professional athlete and designer to make what Time magazine called “the world’s most comfortable shoe.” Allbirds uses natural and sustainable fibers like wool.

Pinto referenced UC's strategic direction called Next Lives Here in praising Brown's accomplishments.

“Tim Brown, you are the embodiment of what 'next' truly is: innovative, entrepreneurial, future-focused and socially conscious,” Pinto said.

President Neville Pinto honors UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services Dean Lawrence Johnson with the President's Award for Excellence during commencement. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

Other notable awards

Pinto surprised UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services Dean Lawrence Johnson with the President's Award for Excellence. Pinto said it marks just the fourth such award he has presented during his seven years as president.

“I consider it the highest honor that I can bestow as a president,” Pinto said. 

Under Johnson, the college has seen its enrollment triple in size over the past two decades.

Johnson is known to many at UC for hosting an annual back-to-school barbecue on UC's Uptown Campus. Pinto announced that the site of those welcome-back parties is now called the Lawrence J. Johnson Lawn. 

“What we will miss most about you doesn't come from your kitchen. It comes from your heart,” Pinto said. “It is your leadership, your compassion and your love for learning.”

Pinto also recognized students Shelby Hetzer, Mia Morales, Rebekah Littlepage, Lance Entsuah, Gibin Mannathikulathil Raju and Maya Goertemoeller, recipients of UC's Presidential Leadership Medal of Student Excellence.

UC graduate Cesseli Chambers-Thacker delivers the student address at UC's Doctoral Hooding and Master's Recognition Ceremony. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

Bearcat pride

Carl H. Lindner College of Business graduate Cesseli Chambers-Thacker presented the student address to her classmates during the Doctoral Hooding and Master's Recognition Ceremony.

“Some of us are the first in our families to reach this milestone while others come from a long line of scholars,” she said.

“Though our paths may differ, they converge at this triumphant moment of unity. We stand together not only as graduates but as resilient individuals and architects of change, laying a foundation for a just and sustainable global society,” she said.

“At the University of Cincinnati, 'Next Lives Here,' which means we are next. Congratulations, Bearcats! We did it.”

UC College-Conservatory of Music student Jadyn Riggs sang the national anthem and led graduates in the singing of the Alma Mater backed by the UC Bearcat Band.

Some graduates of UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science wear decorated hardhats to commencement. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

Making up for lost time

UC graduates such as Raya Fitch missed out on celebrating their high school graduations in 2020 after the pandemic prompted the cancellation of public events.

Fitch studied political science in UC's College of Arts and Sciences. She said it was important both to her and her family to celebrate her accomplishments together in person now that they could.

“It means a lot to me,” she said. 

UC Blue Ash nursing student Madeline Martin posed for photos for her family in the plaza outside Fifth Third Arena. She and her classmates likewise missed out on her high school graduation in 2020, she said.

“I didn't get to walk in graduation, so this is extra special," she said.

“She got her diploma from the principal in her driveway," her mom added.

UC celebrated its largest-ever spring graduating class during commencement at Fifth Third Arena. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

UC graduates celebrate on the floor of Fifth Third Arena. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

The UC Bearcat photo bombs graduates during commencement. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

A graduate celebrates during commencement at Fifth Third Arena. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

Some graduates decorated their mortarboards for the occasion. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

UC's Pershing Rifles Color Guard presents the colors to open commencement at Fifth Third Arena. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

UC grads take a selfie during commencement. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

UC graduates celebrate commencement at Fifth Third Arena. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

UC's graduating Bearcat, a two-time national champion, hugs the incoming Bearcat. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

Confetti falls from the rafters during commencement Friday at Fifth Third Arena. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

The UC Bearcat helps graduates celebrate commencement. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

A UC grad waves to supporters from the floor of Fifth Third Arena. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

UC Professor Brian Howe records his colleague and UC College of Law graduate Kanisha Ervin, who worked with him as a postdoctoral fellow on the Ohio Innocence Project before earning her master's degree this week in public administration. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

UC students sing the Alma Mater at the conclusion of commencement at Fifth Third Arena. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

Carl H. Lindner College of Business graduate Ejiro Agoba recites an original poem to classmates for commencement. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

UC is celebrating its largest-ever spring commencement. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

UC students take photos during commencement. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

Become a Bearcat

Whether you’re a first-generation student or from a family of Bearcats, UC is proud to support you at every step along your journey. We want to make sure you succeed — and feel right at home.

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School of Medicine conducts 44th doctoral graduation, 2nd physician assistant hooding ceremony

The Marshall University   Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine  awarded  61  doctoral degrees and recognized 23  Master of Medical Science graduates  at ceremonies this week.

At its 44th annual doctoral graduation and investiture Friday, April 26, at the Marshall Health Network Arena in Huntington, Marshall University President Brad D. Smith and David Gozal, M.D., M.B.A., Ph.D. (Hon), vice president of health affairs and dean of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, conferred 58 Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degrees, two Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in biomedical research and one combined M.D./Ph.D. degree. 

Members of the M.D. class matched to residency training programs at locations including Duke University Medical Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, University of Florida College of Medicine and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Two Marshall students matched in military residency programs and one student matched in Marshall’s new rural psychiatry residency program. Thirty-one students will remain in West Virginia to complete their residency training. 

Vineet Arora, M.D., MAPP, professor and dean for medical education for the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, delivered the keynote address to the Class of 2024. Caroline B. Briggs, president of the class of 2024, delivered remarks, and Kelsey A. Matusic, M.D., was selected by her classmates to lead the recitation of the Oath of Hippocrates. 

The  Marshall University Physician Assistant (PA) Program  celebrated its second graduating class Friday morning at the  Marshall Health Network Arena.  Stephen Wilson, M.D., professor of surgery and medical director of the PA program, recognized and hooded 23 graduates from the program. Grace Edmunds, president of the class of 2024, Dean Gozal, and Marshall University Assistant Provost Carl Mummert, Ph.D., delivered remarks. Members of the Pi Alpha Honor Society inductees were also recognized.  

With their Master of Medical Science degrees, PAs are prepared to evaluate, diagnose and manage patients in primary and specialty care across all stages of life and in culturally diverse and rural settings.  Marshall’s 28-month PA program was established in 2018 in response to increased demand for physician assistants across the nation’s health care workforce. The degrees for the PA graduates will be conferred April 27 during the Marshall University commencement ceremony.  

The event was streamed live and is available for viewing at  www.facebook.com/MUSOMWV  and  www.marshall.edu/livestream .

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History of the hooding ceremony.

A special ceremony that many students have probably been looking forward to since becoming law students is the hooding ceremony. The hooding ceremony confers a special recognition upon those graduating, not just for law students, but anyone receiving a master’s or doctoral degree.

The hooding ceremony originated in European universities in the 11th or 12th century and was introduced as a way to distinguish graduating students as they began their academic careers. Hooded robes, often required for warmth in unheated medieval libraries, were first used as a sort of practical uniform for scholars as they studied and produced written works. However, over time the robes became largely symbolic. Universities then added colors to the robes to differentiate students by their academic majors, and the hoods later became detached ornaments, presented to graduates as part of the commencement. Hoods are still used today to represent a commitment to a scholarly life. While modern day undergraduates wear robes and caps, those with master’s or doctorate degrees are presented with hoods to show their continued pursuit of knowledge. Such hoods are an expression of tradition and are used to communicate the wearer’s school, degree, and field of study for the rest of their lives. At this ceremony our new graduates will proudly be wearing University of Wisconsin colors, but a fun aspect of the ceremony is seeing the faculty representing the colors of the institutions from where they earned their law degrees from.

This year’s Law School Hooding Ceremony will be Friday, May 10, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the beautiful Monona Terrace Convention Center. Guests, family members and friends are welcome to attend. There is no ticketing for attendance and seating is general admission, but if you do plan on attending it has been requested that graduates and their guests register for the event for planning purposes. You can follow this link to register.  

CONGRATULATION 2024 GRADUATES!

Submitted by Scott Park on April 26, 2024

This article appears in the categories: Law Library

Commencement Update, April 25, 2024

This update provides information about our upcoming 2024 commencement events. To ensure we host commencement activities and celebrate our graduates safely, we will be implementing additional security measures. These include ticketing of all commencement events taking place on May 8-11 and directing all campus access through specific points of entry.

We are in the process of finalizing details, and all schedules, ticketing processes, and additional materials will be posted on our  commencement  website by Tuesday, April 30, 2024.  Once posted, we will do our best to minimize changes so as not to disrupt your planning.

Events and Schedules:

As in previous years, the university will be hosting dozens of commencement events,  including all the traditional individual school commencement ceremonies where students cross the stage, have their names announced, are photographed, and receive their diplomas.  In keeping with tradition, we will be hosting all doctoral hooding ceremonies, special celebrations, and departmental activities and receptions.

With the new safety measures in place this year, the time needed to process the large number of guests coming to campus will increase substantially.  As a result, we will not be able to host the main stage ceremony that traditionally brings 65,000 students, families, and friends to our campus all at the same time and during a short window from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

We understand that this is disappointing; however, we are adding many new activities and celebrations to make this commencement academically meaningful, memorable, and uniquely USC, including places to gather with family, friends, faculty, and staff, the celebratory releasing of the doves, and performances by the Trojan Marching Band.

Ticketing and Safety Measures:

1. Tickets will be required to access campus and all commencement events taking place on May 8-11, 2024.  Graduating students will be able to reserve, free of charge, tickets for themselves and up to eight named guests. Tickets will not be transferrable. There will be an appeal process if more tickets are needed. We will begin reserving tickets early next week.

2. Prior to entering commencement events, we will screen people and bags, using security measures similar to those for attending athletic events at the Coliseum and before entering many other large venues.

3. Please note, we will have a clear bag policy.

4. You should allow more time  — to park, go through security, enjoy campus, and get seated at the various ceremonies.  Commencement ceremonies take place at different times and various locations on or adjacent to our campus.  Guests and graduates will be able to plan their arrival times to meet their own needs. There will be hospitality areas, a variety of places to sit, rest, and hydrate in the shade before and after your ceremony.

Conferring of Degrees:

The most important part of commencement is the presentation of degrees, which will take place at our individual school ceremonies. For those who have never attended a graduation (like many students this year), we’ve created  a gallery of photos from ceremonies of previous years  so you can see how joyful and special these are.

Further Information:

Further information, including detailed maps, parking instructions, ADA accommodations, public transportation, ticketing information, and our code of conduct and expectations, can be found at the  2024 Commencement website . Demonstration and free speech zone policies will be posted, as well, so everyone understands how we will ensure a safe and orderly commencement. This is a one-stop site that will be updated regularly.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make our arrangements for a celebratory and significant experience for our 2024 Trojan graduates.

The Graduate College at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The career center: 2024-25 graduate assistant for international student career development, organization, description, responsibilities, and qualifications.

• Recruit, train, and lead students who volunteer as a group leader for the Career Certificate - International Students Program (CC-I)
• Maintain and update career resources for international students, including the weekl newsletter and blogs
• Develop and present workshops for international students in collaboration with The Career Center, campus partners, and RSO’s
• Reach out to international student organizations to promote services and resources provided by The Career Center
• Assist in creating and developing opportunities for international students to connect with alumni and employers
• Collect and summarize data for semester reports, conduct program evaluations, and recommend modifications
• Provide one-on-one resume, cover letter, and Linked-In profile reviews
• Coach students on career exploration and job/internship search strategies, individually and in groups
• Collaborate with The Career Center staff and other campus partners
• Meet regularly with the supervising Assistant Director or Sr. Assistant Director
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant Director or Sr. Assistant Director
• Experience working with diverse groups of students; knowledge and appreciation of culturaldifferences
• Exceptional leadership, organizational, communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills
• Experience developing and/or presenting programs or workshops
• Experience with information technology, including use of online resources and presentationsoftware
• Excellent customer service and public relations skills
• Able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and occasional weekends, ability to balance assistantship duties with coursework/class schedule
• Prior experience with and knowledge of career planning resources and activities is preferred
• Experience of having lived outside the U.S. for more than three years is preferred
• Lived experience as an international student in the U.S. is preferred
• Ability to speak additional languages besides English is preferred

Compensation

Application procedure.

Apply to the position:  go.illinois.edu/2024-25INTLGA. Application Deadline: 04/30/2024 11:59 pm. 

Evaluation of qualified applicants will begin immediately and continue until a candidate is selected. Interested candidates should complete an application and submit a resume and a cover letter describing how this GA position connects to their field of study and career goals. Interested applications must submit their application here: go.illinois.edu/2024-25INTLGA. For questions regarding the position or application process, reach out to Dr. Pankaj Desai, Senior Assistant Director for Inclusion Initiatives at [email protected].

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Innovation Meets Creativity

Innovation meets creativity at Imagine RIT

Artificial intelligence, robots, glass blowing, virtual reality, and performing arts were just a sampling of what thousands of visitors experienced at the 2024 Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival on April 27.

Since 2008, the campus at Rochester Institute of Technology has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors one day each spring to get a glimpse of the creativity and innovation that RIT students, faculty, and staff have every day.

“ The festival inspires the next generation of problem solvers by connecting young people to the wonders of science, technology, engineering, math, design, business, health sciences, the liberal arts, and the arts, ” said RIT President David Munson. “ This is the showcase event for the university. It just gets better every year. ”

More than 400 exhibits were on display, up by nearly 50 from last year. And more than 2,700 students, faculty, and staff accompanied those exhibits. Some were class, senior, or capstone projects. Others were demonstrations from some of the more than 300 student clubs and organizations at RIT. All were prime examples that you can have fun while learning.

Inspiring Minds

Mechanical engineering students Ryan Catunto, second from right, and Ibrahim Gusau, far right, explain how their electric motorcycle operates to a group of local youth from the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) in the RIT K-12 University Center. Credit: Carlos Ortiz

Visitors enjoy a digitally responsive tactile experience that puts a flattering spotlight on a mundane subject: mold. The digital petri dish game was created by a team of 10 students from the new media design and new media interactive development programs. Credit: Traci Westcott

Ronan Sinha, left, of Rochester gets a lesson in small simple computers from Thomas Kinsman, computer science senior lecturer. Kinsman’s “Computer Petting Zoo” displays the interactive nature of computer toys. Credit: Travis LaCoss

Marlena Cukteras, right, an ecology professor at RIT Croatia’s Dubrovnik campus, enjoys a light moment with Julia Autovino, 12, far left, and Ellie Finger, 11, both of Penfield, N.Y., at the EChOes of the Neretva Delta: Wings of the Wind exhibit, created by interest in understanding the human impact on nature and climate change. Credit: Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito

Garrett Maury, a computing and information technologies major, shows off what’s under the hood of his custom pinball machine. RIT’s Computer Science House built the machine from the ground up, including soldering transistors and using a CNC router in the SHED. Credit: Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito

A long line of visitors wait to enjoy liquid nitrogen ice cream. The exhibit was provided by students from the College of Science. Credit: Traci Westcott

Prototype to Production

Self-propelling wheelchair

Industrial design student Chase Kahn, center, demonstrates the self-propelling wheelchair she designed with Matt Meleski, from E-Bikes East. They plan to seek a patent for their device. Credit: Carlos Ortiz

Virtual reality

Pratheep Kumar Chelladurai, a human computer interaction master’s student, helps a visitor try a VR prototype. The prototype enhances sound perception by converting sounds into distinct vibration patterns with the goal of enhancing VR gaming experiences for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Credit: Traci Westcott

Brace yourself

Biomedical engineering students Lydia Blatnik, far left, and Margaret Carey explain how a newly designed cervical collar was designed for emergency medical services. The student team built a prototype that is more comfortable and able to attach to a backboard. The design prototype will undergo further testing with the hope of commercialization. Credit: Carlos Ortiz

Improving healthcare

Working with a physician, mechanical engineering students, from left to right, Will Christ, Matthew Butkevitch, and Wyatt Kaneps talk about a new CPAP machine with Mike Ritter from Syracuse, N.Y. The students designed a cost-effective CPAP machine that can assist individuals with breathing difficulties. Credit: Carlos Ortiz

Extraordinary on Display

Discover the Future

Recycling plastics

Mechanical engineering technology student Will Roberson demonstrates a system for recycling 3D-print waste to make new prints. The exhibit is a project of RIT’s chapter of the Society of Plastics Engineers, which promotes a more sustainable maker experience at RIT. Credit: Carlos Ortiz

Global connection

Rejane Kastrati, a computing and information technologies student at RIT Kosovo, helps Maya Proano Alm, 11, of Pittsford, N.Y., get ready to enter the JoySphere, an exhibit inspired by Kosovo’s hospitality and joyous culture. The exhibit inside Gordon Field House utilized adaptive AI algorithms and sensory integration to personalize happiness experiences like a beach or forest. Credit: Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito

Experimenting with color

Rochester residents Porter, right, and Bailey Ellis experiment with color under unusual lighting. The exhibit was run by students from the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science. Credit: Traci Westcott

Exploring space

Aubrey Tarmu, left, a computer engineering student, and Chelsea Taylor, an industrial and systems engineering student, show a containment system that can be used by NASA to collect and preserve samples from asteroids. The prototype will be sent to NASA this summer for additional testing. Credit: Carlos Ortiz

We hope you can join us next year on April 26, 2025!