Cap & Gown Information

The University Commencement Ceremony is an academic ceremony; therefore all participants must wear traditional academic regalia.

Commencement Regalia Uniform Code

In 1896, colleges and universities throughout the United States adopted a uniform code governing academic dress, and all graduates from the University of Colorado wear black gowns. Those who are receiving a master's or doctor's degree wear hoods lined with the university colors, silver and gold. The velvet border of the hood indicates the degree and master’s graduates wear a black cap and tassel, while the doctor graduates have a gold bullion tassel attached to their tam.

Master's and Doctoral Students

Students graduating with their master’s degree wear a black cap and black tassel. They also wear a hood that indicates their field of study. Tassels are worn to the right front of the cap before the degree is conferred, and over the left thereafter.

• Arts White
• Business: Royal Blue
• Education: Light Blue
• Engineering: Orange
• Fine Arts: Brown
• Law: Purple
• College of Communication, Media, Design and Information: Red
• Music: Pink
• Science: Gold

Students graduating with their doctoral degree wear a black tam and gold tassel. They also wear a hood that indicates their field of study. Tassels are worn to the right front of the cap before the degree is conferred, and over the left thereafter.

• Audiology Green
• Law: Purple
• Musical Arts: Pink
• Philosophy: Royal Blue

Undergraduate Students

Students graduating with their bachelor’s degree wear a black cap and a colored tassel that indicates their field of study, except for the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from the College of Arts & Sciences, whose undergraduate candidates wear white tassels. Tassels are worn to the right front of the cap before the degree is conferred, and over the left thereafter.

• Arts and Sciences: White
• Business: Sapphire Blue
• Education: Light Blue
• Engineering: Orange
• Environmental Design: Lavender
• Fine Arts: Brown
• College of Communication, Media, Design and Information
  • Red (Historical CMCI Departments)
  • Lavender (Historical Program in Environmental Design)
• Music: Pink

All students are required to purchase regalia for the ceremony from the CU Book Store, located in the UMC. Regalia will be available for purchase at the cashiers in the lower level of the bookstore beginning February 2. Regalia can also be purchased online from the CU Book Store's website. Please view our regalia pages for detailed product information. Regalia purchased is non-returnable.

The CU Boulder regalia from Jostens features the Evolution Collection, and made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic.

The University of Colorado Boulder welcomes Native American and Indigenous students and their families to wear and display traditional Native American or Indigenous regalia at graduation. Regalia might include accessories such as beads, jewelry, feathers or leis and clothes, blankets and footwear. Only enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe should wear or possess eagle feathers.