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Selecting the Proper Hood Color

Master's degree students process during Graduate School Commencement Ceremonies

Regalia must be worn by all students and faculty members participating in commencement. Standard academic regalia (gown, cap, tassel and hood) can be purchased through the University Bookstore. If you wish to order a custom doctoral gown and hood, select your preferred supplier online, such as Oak Hall, GraduationAttire, Herff Jones, and others at least 8 weeks in advance to allow sufficient time for delivery.  

Doctoral Regalia

The hoods for the Doctor of Philosophy regalia are edged with dark blue; Doctor of Education (EdD) hoods are edged with light blue. Doctoral gowns are faced with black velvet with three bars across the sleeves. Tassels for doctoral students are gold.

Master's Regalia

The colors for the edging of hoods for master's students are determined by the college and discipline granting the degree, as listed in the table below. The tassels of caps for Master's students are black.

 

Academic Regalia Colors by College

College Discipline Color
Agriculture & Life Sciences  

 

All Disciplines with 1 Exception Maize (Pale Yellow)

 

Biochemistry Bright Gold (Golden Yellow)
Architecture, Arts, and Design  

 

Schools of Architecture and Design Blue Violet
  School of Visual Arts Brown
  School of Performing Arts Brown
Pamplin College of Business  

 

All Disciplines Drab (Yellow-Brown)
Engineering    

 

All Disciplines Orange
  Environgmental Design & Planning (Ph.D.) Ph.D. Blue
Interdisciplinary Degrees    

 

All Disciplines White
Liberal Arts & Human Sciences  

 

Apparel, Housing & Resource Management Maroon

 

Communication Crimson

 

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Light Blue

 

English

White

 

Foreign Language & Literatures

White

 

History

White

 

Human Development

Maroon

 

Interdisciplinary Studies

White

 

International Studies White
  Music Pink

 

Philosophy Ph.D. Blue

 

Political Science

White

  Public Administration Peacock Blue

 

School of Education Light Blue

 

Science & Technology in Society

White

 

Sociology

White

 

Teaching & Learning Light Blue
Natural Resources    

 

All Disciplines

Russet (Rust)

Science
   

 

All Disciplines with 1 Exception Bright Gold (Golden Yellow)

 

Economics

Copper

Veterinary Medicine
 

 

VM

Gray

 

PhD Gold Tassel / Blue Hood

 

MS Black Tassel / Yellow Hood
  MPH Salmon Pink

For more information on academic regalia, please contact the Virginia Tech Bookstore .