Maryland Institute College of Art

Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) Commencement & Academic Regalia Guide

The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) commencement ceremony celebrates graduating students across undergraduate and graduate programs with formal academic regalia traditions. Unlike many colleges, MICA’s graduates wear a traditional black velvet beret instead of a mortarboard graduation cap, paired with a classic black graduation gown for all degree candidates. MICA’s regalia honors creativity, scholarly achievement, and institutional history.

Graduation Gown & Cap Traditions

MICA’s commencement attire emphasizes artistic heritage. Graduates wear a black velvet beret symbolizing the freedom and dignity of scholarship rather than the mortarboard typical of many universities. The graduation gown is uniformly black for Bachelor’s (BFA, BA) and graduate (MA, MFA, MPS) degree candidates. Graduates may customize berets and gowns to reflect personal artistry and identity within ceremony guidelines.

Tassels, Hoods & Advanced Regalia

Unlike most institutions, MICA does not use a tassel on the beret; instead, advanced degree candidates (Master’s programs) wear academic hoods. These hoods are lined with MICA’s official colors — black and gold — with velvet trim representing degree type: brown for MFA, white for MA and MPS, and light blue for MAT. The hood conveys degree level and field of study in academic tradition.

Honor Cords & Stoles

Honor cords at MICA recognize academic distinction and leadership. Undergraduate Bachelor’s (BA, BFA) honor cords include Cum Laude (green), Magna Cum Laude (red), and Summa Cum Laude (gold). Additional cords include bright blue for student leadership and dark blue and gold for military service. Leadership in Diversity stoles and cords celebrate inclusive excellence with vibrant colors such as red, green, and rainbow for specific heritage and identity groups. These stoles visually honor community engagement and academic accomplishments.

Faculty Regalia, Academic Colors & Ceremony Notes

Faculty and institutional leaders wear traditional academic regalia, including gowns with disciplinary velvet panels and hoods reflecting earned degrees. MICA’s commencement emphasizes artistic tradition, academic pride, and ceremonial excellence, using regalia that balances historical academic standards with creative expression.

MICA Graduation Regalia Essentials – Cap, Gown & Ceremony Accessories

Detailed academic regalia information for Maryland Institute College of Art commencement — including graduation gown color, graduation cap alternative, hoods, honor cords, and stoles. Perfect for graduates, supporters, and campus stores.

Graduation Gown & Cap Alternative: Undergraduate and graduate candidates wear a black graduation gown with a distinctive black velvet beret instead of a mortarboard cap, reflecting MICA’s artistic tradition.
Bachelor’s Tassel & Honor Cords: MICA bachelor’s regalia does not include a tassel on the beret. Honor cords signify academic achievement: green (Cum Laude), red (Magna Cum Laude), gold (Summa Cum Laude), light blue (Art Education), and bright blue (leadership). Military service cords feature dark blue and gold.
Master’s Regalia & Hoods: Graduate candidates wear academic hoods with velvet trim: brown (MFA), white (MA/MPS), and light blue (MAT). Hoods are lined with gold and black chevrons representing MICA’s colors. Graduate honor cords recognize leadership, international, and military achievements.
Stoles & Cultural Honors: Leadership in Diversity stoles are red with symbolic Adinkra designs. Multicultural stoles include Asian Silk, Faith‑based, Heritage, Hispanic, Kente African, and LGBTQIA rainbow patterns, each honoring personal or cultural identity.
Faculty Academic Regalia: Faculty attire features discipline‑specific gowns and hoods based on academic degree and field, aligning with traditional academic regalia standards.
All Discipline Regalia Colors: MICA emphasizes black gowns and velvet berets, with regalia accents (cords, stoles, hoods) that visually represent achievement, field of study, identity, and community contributions.

Celebrate your MICA commencement with the right academic regalia that honors both scholarly accomplishment and personal expression. 5}

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