Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University (CSU) holds its commencement ceremonies in May and December, typically using the Wolstein Center for undergraduate and master’s events, and Waetjen Auditorium for doctoral graduates. According to CSU’s protocols for commencement day, graduates must arrive fully dressed in their academic regalia, which includes a mortarboard cap with tassel, a gown, and for eligible students, a hood for master’s or doctorate degrees. The order for wearing regalia is clearly defined: gown first, then stoles/cords, then medallion (for undergraduates), and hood last (for advanced degrees).

CSU specifies how tassels should be worn: undergraduate students wear the tassel on the right side until instructed to move it to the left during the ceremony, while master’s students keep it on the left throughout. Their honors system includes medallions rather than standardized honor cords for GPA-based honors: students with 30+ credit hours and GPAs between 3.30 and 4.00 earn Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Summa Cum Laude recognition via honors medallions.

When it comes to stoles and cords, CSU lets student affinity groups (like TRIO, student-athletes, honor societies) provide their own approved cords or stoles, which can be purchased from the Viking Outfitters bookstore or via group-specific orders. The CSU “Quick Guide” also clarifies that these cords and stoles layer over the gown before the medallion or hood.

For faculty regalia, CSU supports a rental system via Viking Outfitters. Professors, administrators, and platform party members pick up their robes before commencement and return them afterward. The academic program (commencement program) describes standard black gowns for undergraduates, velvet-faced master’s gowns, and doctoral gowns with three velvet bars on each sleeve, with discipline-specific hood facing colors. Colors noted in CSU’s regalia program include: apricot for Nursing, peacock blue for Public Administration, salmon pink for Public Health, citron for Social Work, dark blue for Philosophy, gold for Science, white for Arts & Humanities, light blue for Education, orange for Engineering, red for Urban Studies, purple for Law, pink for Music.

In summary, Cleveland State University’s commencement tradition combines classic black graduation gowns, discipline-colored velvet for hoods, thoughtfully placed tassels, and regulated honor medallions and cords, all reinforcing its academic regalia standards and giving clear guidance to students shopping for graduation gown, graduation cap, and cap, gown and tassel sets.

Cleveland State University Academic Regalia Kit

Complete commencement bundle—cap, gown, tassel, and optional honors/hood options—designed to align with CSU’s official regalia standards.

Gown Color: Black graduation gown, following CSU’s tradition.
Cap: Square mortarboard with standard tassel.
Tassel Placement: Undergraduates start on the right; master’s wear it on the left.
Royals & Hoods: Master’s or doctoral hood available—velvet corresponds to your field (e.g. Nursing apricot, Engineering orange, Law purple).
Honors Medal: Eligible undergraduate students receive an honors medallion instead of a cord (Cum Laude, Magna, Summa).
Stoles & Cords: Custom stoles or cords from honor societies / student groups via Viking Outfitters or your organization's vendor.

Pro tip: Verify your group’s approved cord or stole color with the CSU Registrar or Viking Outfitters before ordering custom regalia.

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Cleveland State University, 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.