Graduation at Houston City College culminates with the Commencement Ceremony, where eligible graduates apply for graduation and register via the Tassel platform to secure a ceremony time‑slot and receive a StagePass. Only students who complete both application and registration by the deadlines are permitted to walk the stage. Guests require valid tickets, and livestream is provided for remote viewers.

Required Graduation Cap, Gown & Tassel

To participate in the ceremony, graduates must wear an approved academic regalia: a black graduation cap, black graduation gown, and black tassel. Regalia may be ordered online or purchased in person at HCC Bookstore. Bachelor’s regalia is available only at HCC’s Central Campus Bookstore.

Honor Cords for High‑Achieving Graduates

Graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.35 or higher are eligible for honor cords: 3.35–3.59 for Honors, 3.60–3.79 for High Honors, and 3.80–4.00 for Highest Honors. Honor cords can be collected before the ceremony or at a dedicated table on the day of Commencement. Students completing only certificate‑level programs are not eligible for cords.

Houston City College Graduation Cap & Gown – Official Academic Regalia

Key Features

• Standard Black Graduation Gown: Official HCC‑approved academic gown in classic black — required for all graduates.
• Black Graduation Cap (Mortarboard): Traditional flat‑top cap included; mandatory to participate in Commencement.
• Black Tassel Included: Tassel attaches to the cap — the standard color for all graduates per HCC “know before you go.”
• Honor Cord (if eligible): Eligible graduates (GPA ≥ 3.35) receive an honor cord reflecting their academic distinction. Pink cords available for Honors, High Honors, Highest Honors (per HCC Honors eligibility criteria).
• Officially School‑Approved Regalia: This cap, gown, tassel, and cord set meets all requirements of HCC’s Commencement Ceremony.
• Available Via HCC Bookstore or Online Purchase: Bachelor’s‑level regalia is available at the Central Campus bookstore — or order online before the deadline.

Details & Eligibility

Graduates must apply for graduation, register for Commencement by the published deadline, and purchase the approved academic regalia in order to walk the stage. Honor cords are awarded based on cumulative GPA: 3.35–3.59 (Honors), 3.60–3.79 (High Honors), and 3.80–4.00 (Highest Honors). Certificate‑only graduates are not eligible for cords.

Regalia Rules

• Cap and gown must be worn properly (cap flat, gown zipped) to participate.
• Only black cap, gown, and tassel are approved for the general Commencement ceremony. No publicly available policy for colored stoles, cords or discipline‑based regalia.
• Honor cords are optional and only awarded to qualifying graduates; stoles or department cords are not listed in HCC’s official graduation guidelines.

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Houston Community College, 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.