Regalia
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 should order the cap and gown of the higher degree being awarded. Additional tassels or basic stoles, etc., can be purchased on the website during the ordering process.
- 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.
Tassel and Hood Colors
- Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
- White
- School of Communication
- Silver gray
- School of Education and Social Policy
- Light blue
- Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
- Orange
- The Graduate School Tassel
- Black
- The Graduate School Borders
- Master of Arts
- White
- Master of Fine Arts
- Brown
- Master of Public Health
- Salmon
- Master of Science
- Yellow gold
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Dark blue
- Master of Arts
- Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications
- Crimson
- Pritzker School of Law
- Purple
- J.L. Kellogg School of Management
- Acorn
- Feinberg School of Medicine
- Green
- Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music
- Pink
- School of Professional Studies Tassel and Borders
- Master of Arts
- White
- Master of Science
- Yellow gold
- Master of Arts
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.
Regalia Guidelines
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, identity or affinity stoles, and/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 can provide financial assistance toward your regalia rental/purchase. Information for 2024 Graduate Financial Assistance will be forthcoming.
- For undergraduate students with financial need, Student Enrichment Services provides funding directly to your student account to cover the cost of your regalia. Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid for more information.
Ordering Your Regalia
Please note, the regalia portal is now open for Fall 2023 graduates. Students graduating in Spring 2024 will have a separate ordering portal to be opened early 2024. More information regarding Spring 2024 will be forthcoming.
To order your regalia, please visit this site
Ordering Fine Regalia
If you have/are planning to have a career in academia and need to own your own fine-quality regalia:
Still Have Questions?
Please contact the Graduation Office.