How to Order
Bachelor’s and Master’s candidates will have 3 options to receive their regalia:
- Pick up at Grad Fair on April 16-17 (no shipping fees, must order by April 8)
- Ship to home. Additional shipping fees will apply.
- Pick up at Norris Center Campus Store on or after June 2 (no shipping fees, for orders between April 18 and May 16)
PhD Candidates will need to pick up their regalia in the Norris bookstore on or after June 2. No other shipping options are available for PhD regalia.
Purchase your Fine Quality Doctoral Regalia*
*Please note: Orders take up to 8 weeks for delivery.
In preparation for Graduation Weekend, the Norris Center Campus Store will offer extended hours to accommodate regalia pick-up:
June 9 - 12: 9AM-5PM
June 13: 9AM-7PM
June 14: 8AM-5PM
June 15: 1PM-7PM
June 16: 9AM-6PM
About Your Regalia
Purple “souvenir regalia” is custom designed for Northwestern featuring the University crest. The standard regalia must be worn by all participating candidates.
Bachelor’s degree regalia includes a souvenir stole. Advanced degree candidates wear hoods. The lining of the Northwestern hood is purple and gold, and the color of the velvet border of the hood indicates the academic area.
- Dual degree Bachelor/Master candidates who are finishing both degrees by June should order the Master's cap/gown/hood. Additional tassels or basic stoles, etc., can be purchased on the website during the ordering process. If you are finishing the Master's degree after June, order the Bachelor's regalia.
- Dual bachelors degree candidates should order one set of regalia and specify one of the two schools for the order. A tassel for the second school can be purchased at the Northwestern Bookstore, so that two tassels, one color for each school, are worn during graduation ceremonies.
How to Care for your Regalia
When you receive your gown, remove it from its packaging and place it on a hanger to allow any folds or wrinkles to fall out. If an iron is needed, turn the gown inside out and use a warm (NOT HOT) iron. Steaming is also an option.
- TIP: Hanging your gown in a high humidity area, such as your bathroom, will help the folds and wrinkles fall out faster.
- TIP: To ensure you don’t lose any pieces from your regalia package, hang your gown on a hanger and use the plastic bag provided to store your stole, cap, and tassel.
How to Wear Your Regalia
Bachelors Cap and Gown
Masters Cap and Gown
Doctoral Cap and Gown
Regalia Guidelines
Adornments
Any adornments to the regalia should remain in good taste, fitting for a ceremonial occasion. Discriminatory, vulgar, threatening and hateful content is prohibited.
Honor Cords and Stoles Guidelines
Degree candidates may wear honors cords that have been awarded by their schools or other campus organizations. School/organizations determine guidelines and distribution. Please note that Latin honors are not awarded until after Graduation Weekend so there are no honors cords at graduation for Latin honors.
Bachelor’s students may wear affinity stoles if desired.
College/School Honor Cord
College/School honor cords may be awarded to undergraduate and graduate degree candidates for honors awarded by their respective school or college.
Membership, Leadership & Service Honor Cords, Stoles & Pins
These honor cords, stoles, and pins may be worn to designate membership, achievement, leadership or service. Please check with your respective student organization or campus department for honor cord, stole, and pin guidelines and distribution.
Guidelines for Receiving Honor Cords
Eligible students who receive membership, leadership and service honor cords, stoles, and pins will receive their honor cords, stoles and pins from the respective department or organization awarding the honor. The Office of Graduation & Senior Year Experiences does not distribute honor cords or pins. Please note that final grades are not yet conferred by the day of Commencement or in time for convocations, so a majority of ceremonies will not include honors recognition.
Additional Regalia Information
- Balfour is our partner for class rings and announcements.
- The Northwestern Barnes & Noble Bookstore carries diploma frames and additional spirit apparel.
Financial Aid
- For graduate students with financial need, the Office of Graduation & Senior Year Experiences may provide financial assistance toward your regalia. Please email the Graduation Office for information. Please note, financial assistance is not available for FINE QUALITY regalia purchases.
- For undergraduate students with financial need, the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid provides funding directly to your student account to assist with the cost of your regalia. Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid for more information.
Still Have Questions?
Please email regalia@northwestern.edu.