According to Howard University’s regalia and commencement‑program documentation, the standard academic costume for graduates consists of cap, gown, hood (if applicable), tassel, and black shoes.

For bachelor (baccalaureate) graduates, the gown is the traditional pleated‑front style, with flowing pointed sleeves. Master’s gowns are worn open with elbow‑slit sleeves; doctoral gowns carry broad velvet panels and three velvet sleeve bars.

Caps (mortarboards) for bachelor’s and master’s candidates generally use black tassels. Doctoral candidates’ caps typically use gold bullion tassels.

The hood worn at conferral carries significant symbolism: its silk lining displays the colors of the awarding institution; its velvet border color indicates the academic discipline. For example: medicine – green; nursing – apricot; business – drab; engineering – orange; social work – citron; arts/letters/humanities – white; and others per discipline color chart.

Additionally, HU uses a distinctive blue Kente stole, commissioned in 1996, that some graduates wear—reflecting heritage, solidarity, and institutional tradition.

For academic honors, eligible graduates receive an Honor Medal and Honor Cord: a silver cord symbolizes “magna cum laude” and a gold cord signifies “summa cum laude.”

Howard University Graduation & Academic Regalia – Cap, Gown, Hood & Tassel Guide

Academic Regalia for Howard University Graduates

• Bachelor’s (Undergraduate) Gown & Cap: Traditional gown and mortarboard cap — black or official HU color — with tassel.
• Graduate / Master’s / Doctoral Gown & Hood: Full academic gown, appropriate hood representing field of study, mortarboard cap (or tam for doctoral), and tassel.
• Hood & Velvet Border: Hood silk lining shows awarding institution colors (HU’s indigo‑blue/red/white); velvet border indicates discipline/field of study (e.g. green for medicine, apricot for nursing, olive for pharmacy, peacock‑blue for public administration, gold-yellow for science, etc.).

Tassel, Hood & Stole Colors by Discipline

• Tassel: Standard tassel attached to the cap; color may follow traditional academic color (often black), unless custom per program.
• Hood Velvet Border (Field of Study): Medicine – Green; Nursing – Apricot; Pharmacy – Olive Green; Public Administration – Peacock Blue; Science – Gold Yellow; Social Work – Citron; Theology – Scarlet; Architecture – Blue‑Violet; Arts/Letters/Humanities – White; Business – Drab; Education – Light Blue; Engineering – Orange; Fine Arts – Brown; Law – Purple; Dentistry – Lilac; Philosophy / Dark Letters – Dark Blue. (Last published guide list) :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
• University‑wide Stole (optional): Blue Kente stole (Nkasewa pattern) — a traditional heritage stole symbolizing unity and institutional identity, used at Howard graduations since 1996. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

Honors: Honor Cord & Medal

• Magna cum laude: Silver Honor Cord + Honor Medal
• Summa cum laude: Gold Honor Cord + Honor Medal
• Cum laude / other honors: Medal or cord depending on level — per HU honors policy. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

Ordering & Regalia Guidelines

• Cap, gown, hood and tassel must be ordered via the HU Bookstore; ordering deadline is published each year before Commencement Week. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
• Graduates must wear full academic regalia for commencement — personal decoration (messages on caps, unapproved cords/stoles) is generally discouraged unless officially approved. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}

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