At California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), all graduates must wear formal academic regalia — including a graduation gown, cap, tassel, and where applicable, hoods or stoles — to participate in the commencement ceremony. According to the university’s commencement program, the standard gown is black, with bachelor’s and master’s gowns having untrimmed sleeves. Doctoral gowns include black velvet panels and three velvet bars on the sleeves.
Caps are traditional mortarboards, and undergraduates wear their tassel on the right until their degrees are conferred; master’s candidates wear the tassel on the left and carry their hoods into the arena. The university’s colors are reflected in the lining of graduate hoods: the silk lining shows CSUSB’s institutional colors, while the velvet edging represents the graduate’s field of study.
CSUSB recognizes honor distinctions for undergraduate students: Cum Laude (GPA ≥ 3.5) wear a maroon honor cord, Magna Cum Laude (GPA ≥ 3.75) wear a gold cord, and Summa Cum Laude (GPA ≥ 3.9) wear gold and maroon cords together. Graduate students do not wear honor cords.
In addition to cords, stoles are offered (such as recognition stoles, departmental or cultural stoles), and these along with caps, gowns, tassels, and hoods are available via Jostens (the official vendor) or from the CSUSB Coyote Bookstore. For faculty and doctoral regalia, full academic dress is required: PhD hoods use dark blue velvet, while master’s/doctoral velvet edging matches the academic discipline.
Walk across the CSUSB stage in full academic regalia — graduation gown, cap, tassel, hood, cords, and stoles — designed to reflect California State University, San Bernardino’s commencement traditions.
Order your official CSUSB cap, gown and tassels set today for a memorable commencement experience.
Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at California State University San Bernardino, you can reach out directly to the college's administration or the office responsible for commencement and student services. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding academic regalia.