Academic Attire

The costume of those in the academic procession has a specific symbolism that dates back to at least the 14th century. Academic institutions in the United States adopted a code of academic dress in 1895 that has been revised from time to time. The dress of institutions in other countries varies, and there is not a worldwide code, but the basic elements are present in all academic costumes.

CAPS — In the United States, the mortarboard is most commonly used. The tassel is fastened to the center of the cap and normally worn in the left front quadrant of the cap. The tassel for the doctoral cap is gold.

GOWNS — The bachelor’s gown has long, pointed sleeves; the master’s gown has an oblong sleeve open at the wrist (some older gowns may be open near the upper part of the arm); the doctoral gown is fuller than the others with full-length velvet panels on the front and three velvet crossbars on each sleeve. The bachelor’s and master’s gowns are red.

HOODS — The hood, draped over the shoulders and down the back, indicates the wearer’s alma mater and the discipline in which the degree was conferred. The level of the degree is indicated by the size of the hood. The bachelor’s hood is 3 feet long, the master’s is 3- and-one-half feet long and the doctoral hood is 4 feet long. The binding of the hood is velvet. The binding is 2 inches, 3 inches and 5 inches wide for the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, respectively. The lining of the hood is colored according to the institution conferring the degree. The lining of the doctoral hood is revealed more than that of the master’s hood. Much less of the lining is revealed in the bachelor’s hood.

The colors associated with the degrees are as follows: