Selecting the Proper Hood Color
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 tassels of caps for Master's students are black. The colors for the edging of hoods for master's students are determined by discipline and type of degree. Below is a list for guidance, based on Herff Jones definitions. Students participating in commencement are welcome to wear the hood color of their choice, whether based on the available selection in the VT Bookstore, the list below, or some other source.
Academic Regalia Colors by College
| College | Discipline | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture and Life Sciences | ||
| All except BCHM | Pale yellow | |
| Biochemistry | Bright gold | |
| Architecture, Arts and Design | ||
| Architecture | Blue violet | |
| Visual & Performing Arts | Brown | |
| Pamplin College of Business | ||
| All | Drab (yellow-brown) | |
| Engineering | ||
| All | Orange | |
| Interdisciplinary | ||
| All | White | |
| Liberal Arts & Human Sciences | ||
| Communication | Crimson | |
| Educational Leadership & Policy Studies | Light blue | |
| Education | Light blue | |
| English | White | |
| Foreign Languages & Lit | White | |
| History | White | |
| Human Development | Maroon | |
| Philosophy | White | |
| Political Science | White | |
| Public Administration | Peacock Blue | |
| Science & Technology in Society | White | |
| Sociology | White | |
| Urban Affairs and Planning | Blue violet | |
| Natural Resources and Environment | ||
| All | Russet (rust) | |
| Science | ||
| All | Bright gold (golden yellow) | |
| Economics | Copper | |
| Veterinary Medicine | ||
| Biomed & Veterinary Sci | Yellow | |
| Public Health | Salmon Pink | |
For more information on academic regalia, please contact the Virginia Tech Bookstore .
