SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University holds its commencement ceremonies in Brooklyn, typically in May. For example, the 2024 ceremony was held on May 15, with the School of Health Professions and College of Nursing marching at 11 AM and the College of Medicine, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Public Health at 3 PM. The 2025 commencement is scheduled for May 20, 2025, similarly structured.

In terms of academic regalia, Downstate requires standard graduation gowns and mortarboard caps. While the official program lists hooding for certain degrees (such as Doctor of Physical Therapy in the Health Professions school), Downstate does not publicly provide a detailed color-chart for tassels, velvet trims, or hoods by discipline.

Honor cords, stoles, and insignia are supported in a controlled way: Downstate’s student handbooks state that cords, stoles, medallions, or honor insignia may be worn at commencement only if earned via recognized honor societies, service organizations, or military service. Any honor-society or organization that wishes to issue cords or stoles must get approval from the Department of Student Life. The funding for these accessories does not come from student activity fees.

For Latin honors, Downstate defines cum laude (3.50–3.74), magna cum laude (3.75–3.89), and summa cum laude (3.90–4.00) in its Commencement Handbook. However, the publicly available handbooks do not specify fixed colors for honor-cords or stoles based strictly on Latin honor tiers. This implies honor regalia is likely handled on a per-society or per-department basis, rather than via a universal university palette.

As for faculty regalia, Downstate follows traditional academic dress practices for its faculty and administrators, but its publicly available commencement program and student handbooks do not publish a full, standardized color scheme for faculty hoods or gown velvet trim.

In summary, SUNY Downstate’s commencement emphasizes formal academic regalia — traditional black gowns, mortarboard caps, degree hooding when appropriate — while honors cords and stoles are permitted but organized through recognized societies, with color and funding determined at the program level. Because regalia color-codes are not fully standardized and documented, students or vendors should verify with Downstate’s Student Life or Registrar for custom orders.

Downstate Cap, Gown & Academic Regalia

Order your official SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University graduation attire — cap, gown, hood, and honors gear — in line with Downstate’s commencement dress code.

• Gown & Cap: Black graduation robe and mortarboard for all students. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
• Academic Hood (if applicable): Required for master’s and doctoral degrees; trim color varies by school and discipline. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
• Tassel Options: Black for most students; doctoral tassels may be gold or discipline-specific. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
• Honor Cords & Stoles: Used for recognized honors, service, or military; cord/stole color is chosen by the issuing organization. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
• Faculty / Doctoral Regalia: Velvet-trim robes and hoods represent faculty and doctoral graduates, per academic tradition.
• Important for Buyers: Customizing tassels, cords, or stoles? Confirm Downstate-approved colors and policies with the Registrar or Student Life office before placing your order.

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Downstate Health Sciences 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.