Academic hoods are among the most colorful and meaningful pieces of graduation regalia. While a graduation masters gown may be mostly black or another institution-approved color, the hood can feature several contrasting colors in its lining, edging and outer shell.
Those colors are not necessarily decorative.
In academic dress traditions commonly used by colleges and universities in the United States, different parts of an academic hood can communicate information associated with the graduate’s institution and academic discipline.
However, there is an important rule to understand before using any academic hood color guide:
Your college or university determines the academic regalia required for its commencement ceremony.
Institutions may use their own designs, colors or interpretations. Therefore, a general degree color chart should be treated as an educational reference—not as a substitute for your school’s current regalia specifications.
This guide explains the major parts of an academic hood, what commonly used academic colors can represent, how master’s and doctoral hoods differ, and what you should verify before ordering graduation regalia.
What Is an Academic Hood?
An academic hood is a traditional component of academic dress commonly associated with graduate degrees.
Despite its name, the modern academic hood is usually displayed down the graduate’s back rather than worn over the head during commencement.
An academic hood can include several major visual components:
- Outer shell
- Interior lining
- Velvet or other edging
- Degree-level construction
- Institution-specific color arrangement
Understanding these separate components is the key to understanding academic hood colors.
Academic Hood Colors Do Not All Mean the Same Thing
When looking at an academic hood, you may see two, three or more colors.
Do not assume that every color represents the graduate’s field of study.
Depending on the academic-dress system being used, different areas of the hood can communicate different information.
A useful way to think about it is:
- Hood lining: commonly associated with the degree-granting institution in academic-dress traditions that use institutional lining colors
- Velvet or edging: commonly associated with an academic discipline or field
- Outer shell: part of the hood’s overall academic construction and design
Exact specifications should always be confirmed with the institution.
What Does the Inside Lining of an Academic Hood Mean?
The colorful lining visible on the back of an academic hood is often one of its most distinctive features.
In academic-dress systems that use institutional lining colors, the lining can identify or represent the degree-granting college or university.
The lining may use:
- One primary color
- Two colors
- Multiple colors
- A divided arrangement
- A chevron-style arrangement
- Another institution-specific configuration
The exact arrangement matters.
Are Hood Lining Colors the Same as University Colors?
Sometimes they may be related, but you should not assume that ordinary university branding tells you the exact academic hood specification.
A university can have colors used for:
- Academic dress
- Official branding
- Athletics
- Merchandise
- Digital design
- Student organizations
The academic hood may use a specific combination or arrangement.
Do not simply look at a university logo and attempt to recreate the hood from those colors.
What Does the Velvet Color on an Academic Hood Mean?
In commonly referenced U.S. academic-dress traditions, the velvet or edging of an academic hood can be associated with the academic discipline represented by the degree.
This is the portion students often mean when they ask, “What is my degree color?”
However, there is an important distinction:
Your major, department name, concentration and degree classification are not necessarily interchangeable.
The appropriate academic color should therefore be confirmed with your institution.
Commonly Referenced Academic Discipline Colors
The following are examples of traditional academic colors commonly associated with certain disciplines in U.S. academic dress.
Use this list as a general educational reference. Your college or university should confirm the color required for your specific degree and ceremony.
Arts, Letters and Humanities — White
White is traditionally associated with arts, letters and humanities in commonly referenced academic color systems.
Depending on the institution and degree structure, this may be relevant to certain liberal arts and humanities degrees.
Business and Commerce — Drab
Drab is traditionally associated with commerce, accountancy and business-related academic fields.
The exact shade may appear tan, beige or light brown depending on fabric and manufacturer.
Students receiving business-related graduate degrees should still verify the required color with their institution.
Education — Light Blue
Light blue is traditionally associated with education.
Graduates in education-related degree programs may encounter this color on academic hood edging or other institution-approved regalia.
Engineering — Orange
Orange is traditionally associated with engineering.
Engineering graduates should verify how their institution applies academic colors, particularly when specialized or interdisciplinary degrees are involved.
Fine Arts — Brown
Brown is traditionally associated with fine arts.
This can include certain degrees in areas of artistic study, but institutions determine how individual programs are classified.
Law — Purple
Purple is traditionally associated with law.
Graduates receiving professional law degrees should follow the academic-regalia specifications provided by their law school or university.
Library Science — Lemon
Lemon is traditionally associated with library science.
Because degree names and academic programs evolve, verify the appropriate classification for your particular program.
Medicine — Green
Green is traditionally associated with medicine in commonly referenced academic-dress color systems.
Healthcare education includes many distinct disciplines, however, so students should not assume that every health-related degree uses the same academic color.
Music — Pink
Pink is traditionally associated with music.
Students receiving music degrees should verify their institution’s specific regalia requirements.
Nursing — Apricot
Apricot is traditionally associated with nursing.
Do not assume that apricot applies to every medical, allied-health or healthcare degree simply because the program is health-related.
Philosophy — Dark Blue
Dark blue is traditionally associated with philosophy.
This color is particularly important to understand when discussing doctoral regalia because the Doctor of Philosophy degree has its own academic-dress considerations.
Physical Education — Sage Green
Sage green is traditionally associated with physical education.
Related modern programs may be classified differently by individual institutions.
Public Administration — Peacock Blue
Peacock blue is traditionally associated with public administration.
Students in public affairs, policy or related programs should confirm the color assigned to their exact degree.
Public Health — Salmon Pink
Salmon pink is traditionally associated with public health.
Because public health can include many specialized concentrations, the institution’s degree classification should control the final selection.
Science — Golden Yellow
Golden yellow is traditionally associated with science.
Science encompasses many disciplines, and universities may distinguish among specific degrees and professional fields.
Social Science — Citron
Citron is traditionally associated with social science.
Students should verify how their institution classifies interdisciplinary or specialized social-science programs.
Theology and Divinity — Scarlet
Scarlet is traditionally associated with theology or divinity.
Seminaries and universities may have institution-specific academic-dress practices, so verify requirements before ordering.
Quick Academic Degree Color Reference
- Arts, Letters and Humanities: White
- Business / Commerce / Accountancy: Drab
- Education: Light Blue
- Engineering: Orange
- Fine Arts: Brown
- Law: Purple
- Library Science: Lemon
- Medicine: Green
- Music: Pink
- Nursing: Apricot
- Philosophy: Dark Blue
- Physical Education: Sage Green
- Public Administration: Peacock Blue
- Public Health: Salmon Pink
- Science: Golden Yellow
- Social Science: Citron
- Theology / Divinity: Scarlet
Important: This is a general reference based on commonly used academic-dress traditions. It is not a universal ordering chart. Always confirm your institution’s current requirements.
Why You Should Not Pick a Hood Color Based Only on Your Major
Suppose you studied a subject that combines business, technology and science.
Which academic color should you select?
You cannot reliably answer that question from the program name alone.
Your institution may base its academic-regalia specification on:
- The degree being awarded
- The academic school granting the degree
- The discipline classification
- Institution-specific academic-dress practices
That is why students should obtain the official specification before purchasing a hood.
Degree Name vs. Major: Why the Difference Matters
Consider two graduates who studied similar subjects.
One might receive a Master of Arts degree while another receives a Master of Science degree.
Even though their coursework overlaps, the academic-regalia classification used by their institutions may differ.
Do not determine your hood edging solely from the subject printed on your program description.
Does a Master of Science Always Use Golden Yellow?
Do not make that assumption without checking.
Golden yellow is traditionally associated with science, but universities determine the academic-regalia requirements for their degrees.
A specialized professional or interdisciplinary graduate program may be treated according to another classification.
Does an MBA Always Use Drab?
Drab is traditionally associated with business and commerce, but students receiving an MBA or another business degree should still verify their university’s specifications.
The fact that a color is commonly associated with a discipline does not override institution-specific requirements.
Does a Master of Education Always Use Light Blue?
Light blue is traditionally associated with education.
However, the final regalia specification should come from the degree-granting institution.
What About Interdisciplinary Degrees?
Interdisciplinary degrees are one of the strongest reasons not to rely exclusively on a general color chart.
A program might combine:
- Business and technology
- Science and public policy
- Education and psychology
- Healthcare and administration
- Engineering and management
The university decides how the degree is classified for its commencement regalia.
What Do Master’s Hood Colors Mean?
A master’s academic hood can combine institutional and discipline-related colors within its design.
When the applicable academic-dress system uses these conventions:
- The lining can identify the degree-granting institution
- The edging can represent the academic discipline
- The hood construction reflects the graduate degree level
The exact hood should be confirmed for the graduate’s degree and institution.
Are All Master’s Hoods the Same Size?
No assumption should be made that every academic hood has identical dimensions or construction.
Academic level, manufacturer, design and institutional specifications can affect the product.
When purchasing a hood, choose one specifically intended for the appropriate academic level.
What Do Doctoral Hood Colors Mean?
Doctoral academic dress can also use hood colors to communicate academic information.
Doctoral regalia may additionally include gown features that distinguish it from master’s regalia, such as velvet panels or sleeve bars depending on the gown design.
The academic hood remains a separate component and should meet the specifications for the doctoral degree and institution.
Do Master’s and Doctoral Graduates Use the Same Hood?
Not necessarily.
Master’s and doctoral hoods can differ in size, construction and academic-level specifications.
A master’s graduate should purchase a master’s hood when that is what the institution requires, rather than selecting a doctoral hood because it appears more elaborate.
Do Bachelor’s Graduates Wear Academic Hoods?
Bachelor hood practices vary considerably.
Many colleges and universities do not use academic hoods for bachelor’s graduates, while other institutions or academic traditions may use them.
Students should check their own commencement requirements.
Academic Hood vs. Graduation Stole
These are different pieces of graduation apparel.
Academic Hood
Part of academic dress when required and typically associated with graduate-level regalia.
Graduation Stole
A recognition accessory that may represent an organization, achievement, program, cultural affiliation or other authorized distinction.
A stole does not automatically substitute for an academic hood.
Academic Hood vs. Honor Cord
Honor cords are also separate recognition accessories.
Cord colors can have different meanings among institutions and organizations.
There is no reason to assume that the color of an honor cord has the same meaning as the same color on academic hood edging.
Why the Same Color Can Mean Different Things on Different Regalia
Context matters.
For example, a particular color might appear as:
- Academic hood edging
- Hood lining
- An honor cord
- A graduation stole
- A tassel
- A school branding color
The meaning may be different in each situation.
Never interpret academic regalia solely from color without considering where that color appears.
Do Tassel Colors Match Hood Colors?
Not necessarily.
Tassel requirements vary among institutions and academic programs.
Your tassel may use a discipline color, school color or another institution-approved configuration.
Verify the tassel separately from the hood.
Can Your Graduation Gown Be a Different Color From the Hood?
Yes.
A graduation bachelors gown and academic hood serve different functions within academic dress.
A black gown, for example, may be worn with a hood containing several contrasting colors.
Some institutions also use gowns in school-specific colors.
Do School-Specific Gowns Change Hood Colors?
Not automatically.
If your institution uses a custom gown, it may also have particular hood requirements.
Do not attempt to coordinate the hood visually with the gown. Follow the complete academic-regalia specification.
Can You Tell Someone’s Degree Just by Looking at the Hood?
An academic hood can provide clues about the wearer’s academic dress, but identifying a specific degree from appearance alone can be unreliable.
Institutional variations, interdisciplinary programs, custom regalia and different academic-dress practices can make visual interpretation uncertain.
Do not assume a person’s exact degree solely from the hood.
Why Academic Hood Colors Can Look Different in Photographs
Fabric colors are affected by:
- Lighting
- Camera settings
- Screen calibration
- Fabric texture
- Surrounding colors
For that reason, do not choose a hood by trying to match an online graduation photograph pixel-for-pixel.
Color Names Can Also Be Confusing
Traditional academic colors may have names such as:
- Drab
- Citron
- Apricot
- Peacock blue
- Golden yellow
- Salmon pink
- Sage green
These names may not correspond exactly to the colors you imagine from everyday usage.
Use the product’s stated academic color options and your institution’s specification rather than selecting by appearance alone.
How to Find Your Correct Academic Hood Colors
Use this process before ordering.
Step 1: Identify Your Exact Degree
Write down the complete degree name and abbreviation.
Step 2: Identify the Degree-Granting Institution
Confirm which college or university is officially awarding the degree.
Step 3: Find the Current Commencement Requirements
Review information supplied by the institution.
Step 4: Confirm the Academic Hood Level
Determine whether you need a master’s, doctoral or another hood configuration.
Step 5: Confirm the Hood Lining
Obtain the required institutional lining colors and arrangement.
Step 6: Confirm the Edging
Ask which academic discipline color applies to your degree.
Step 7: Confirm the Outer Shell
Check any shell color, material or finish requirements.
Step 8: Confirm Whether Independent Regalia Is Permitted
Some institutions may require school-specific regalia or use designated ordering sources.
Step 9: Compare the Product Specifications
Make sure the hood you are considering matches the verified requirements.
Step 10: Order With Enough Time to Inspect It
Allow time for processing, delivery and resolution of any eligible ordering issue before commencement.
Where Can You Find Your University’s Hood Requirements?
Possible sources include:
- Commencement office
- Graduate school
- Registrar
- Academic department
- University bookstore
- Regalia coordinator
- Official commencement website or instructions
What Should You Ask Your University?
If the information is unclear, ask specific questions:
- What academic hood is required for my exact degree?
- What lining colors and arrangement should it have?
- What edging color is required?
- What shell color is required?
- Is a particular hood style required?
- Can I purchase compatible regalia independently?
- Is the hood included with my university regalia package?
How to Shop for an Academic Hood Online
If your institution permits independent purchasing, compare the verified requirements with the product description.
Look for information about:
- Academic level
- Hood style
- Outer shell
- Lining options
- Edging options
- Customization
- Processing time
- Shipping
- Returns or exchanges
Be Careful With Customized Academic Hoods
A hood configured with specific institutional and discipline colors may be considered customized merchandise.
Before ordering, check:
- Production time
- How specifications are submitted
- Whether changes can be made after ordering
- Cancellation terms
- Return eligibility
- Exchange eligibility
Verify every color before submitting a custom order.
Common Academic Hood Color Mistakes
Choosing the University’s Athletic Colors
Athletic branding does not automatically establish academic hood specifications.
Choosing a Color From the Major Name
Your institution may classify the degree differently.
Assuming Every Degree Uses a Universal Color
Traditional color associations exist, but institutions control their own commencement requirements.
Copying Another Student
The other graduate may be receiving a different degree.
Matching an Online Photograph
Photography and screens can distort textile colors.
Confusing Hood Lining With Discipline Color
The lining and edging can serve different purposes.
Confusing Stole Colors With Hood Colors
Stoles and academic hoods are different types of regalia.
Ordering Before Checking the Degree Level
Master’s and doctoral hoods should not automatically be treated as interchangeable.
Academic Hood Color Verification Worksheet
- Institution: ____________________
- Exact degree: ____________________
- Degree abbreviation: ____________________
- Academic hood level: ____________________
- Outer shell: ____________________
- Lining color 1: ____________________
- Lining color 2: ____________________
- Lining arrangement: ____________________
- Edging / velvet color: ____________________
- Institution-approved specification verified: Yes / No
- Independent purchase permitted: Yes / No / Confirm
- Date needed: ____________________
Academic Hoods and Graduation Regalia From Cap and Gown Outlet
Cap and Gown Outlet is an independent academic regalia retailer serving individual graduates and qualifying group and institutional customers.
Depending on current inventory and product availability, graduation merchandise may include:
- Master’s academic hoods
- Doctoral academic hoods
- Master’s graduation gowns
- Doctoral graduation regalia
- Bachelor’s graduation gowns
- Graduation caps
- Doctoral tams
- Graduation tassels
- Graduation stoles
- Honor and recognition cords
- Diploma covers
- Graduation regalia packages
Academic hood styles, colors, configurations and availability vary by product. Graduates should verify the appropriate degree-level hood and academic colors with their college or university before purchasing independently.
Independent Retailer Disclosure
Cap and Gown Outlet is an independent academic regalia retailer and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by or officially authorized by any college or university unless an actual relationship has been established.
The availability of a hood, color combination or academic-regalia product does not establish that it is approved for a particular institution, degree program or commencement ceremony.
Frequently Asked Questions About Academic Hood Colors
What do academic hood colors represent?
Depending on the academic-dress system, hood lining colors can be associated with the degree-granting institution while velvet or edging colors can be associated with an academic discipline. Institutional requirements determine the correct configuration.
What part of the academic hood represents the degree?
In commonly referenced U.S. academic-dress traditions, the velvet or edging can indicate an academic discipline. The institution should confirm the correct color for the degree being awarded.
What part of the hood represents the university?
In systems using institutional lining colors, the interior lining can be associated with the degree-granting institution.
What color is business academic regalia?
Drab is traditionally associated with commerce, accountancy and business-related disciplines. Verify the required color for your specific degree with your institution.
What color represents education?
Light blue is traditionally associated with education in commonly referenced academic color systems.
What academic color represents engineering?
Orange is traditionally associated with engineering. Institution-specific requirements should still be confirmed.
What color represents nursing?
Apricot is traditionally associated with nursing. Other healthcare disciplines may use different academic colors.
What academic color represents science?
Golden yellow is traditionally associated with science, but the exact degree classification should be verified with the institution.
What color represents law?
Purple is traditionally associated with law.
Why does my hood have more than one color?
Different parts of the hood can represent different academic information. For example, the lining and edging may serve different functions within the academic-dress system.
Are graduation hood colors universal?
No. Traditional academic color conventions are widely referenced, but colleges and universities can establish their own academic-regalia requirements.
Can I select my academic hood from a color chart?
A color chart can help you understand academic-dress traditions, but you should verify the final hood specifications with your institution before ordering.
Is my hood color based on my major or my degree?
Do not assume the major name alone determines the color. Your institution should confirm how the degree is classified for academic-regalia purposes.
Do master’s and doctoral hoods use the same colors?
They may use related institutional and discipline color concepts, but the hood construction and degree-level requirements can differ. Verify the appropriate hood for your academic level.
Are honor cord colors the same as academic hood colors?
No universal connection should be assumed. Honor cords and academic hoods are separate types of graduation regalia and their colors can communicate different information.
Use Academic Colors as a Guide—Then Verify Your Exact Hood
Understanding academic hood colors becomes easier once you separate the different parts of the hood.
The lining can be associated with the degree-granting institution, while velvet or other edging can be associated with an academic discipline within commonly used academic-dress traditions. The hood itself also needs to correspond to the appropriate academic level.
Traditional degree colors such as light blue for education, orange for engineering, purple for law, apricot for nursing and golden yellow for science can provide useful background knowledge—but they should not become automatic purchasing instructions.
Your exact degree, institution and commencement requirements matter.
Before ordering, identify the degree you are receiving, obtain the institution’s hood specifications, verify the lining and edging colors, confirm the appropriate academic level and determine whether independently purchased regalia is permitted.
That approach gives you something far more useful than simply knowing what a color traditionally means: it helps you choose an academic hood that is appropriate for your actual graduation ceremony.
