Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Massachusetts College of Art and Design hosts an annual commencement ceremony celebrating student achievement with traditional academic regalia. Graduates are encouraged, but not required, to wear full academic attire including a graduation gown, graduation cap, and matching tassel provided with cap and gown sets available at the campus bookstore. MassArt’s commencement reflects classic academic dress traditions where the mortarboard cap and gown denote scholarly accomplishment within a creative college environment

MassArt graduates typically wear a black graduation gown following the widely accepted academic costume code. The gown’s flowing silhouette and traditional black color symbolize academic accomplishment and unity among graduates. A mortarboard graduation cap with a matching tassel completes the ensemble, with many students choosing to personalize yet maintain decorum. Tassels are a key element of academic regalia and are worn on the cap during the ceremony. Although the MassArt site does not publish specific tassel color codes by discipline, the classic tassel color normally aligns with institutional attire or student selections consistent with academic traditions. ([massart.edu](https://massart.edu/commencement/candidate-information/?utm

While the official MassArt commencement information does not list a detailed color chart for honor cords or stoles, academic honor cords and stoles are common in many U.S. college ceremonies. These adornments are often worn to signify membership in honor societies, academic achievement, or organizational involvement and are worn over the graduation gown. Students typically obtain honor cords or stoles through recognized institutional programs or external honorary societies according to U.S. academic regalia practices.

Faculty participating in MassArt’s commencement wear traditional academic regalia with gowns and hoods that reflect their highest earned degrees. Faculty hoods and robes often include velvet panels and lining colors that denote discipline and academic achievement, following established academic dress codes seen across higher education institutions.

MassArt’s commencement regalia blends honored academic traditions with opportunities for graduates to express individual achievements while respecting the historic cap and gown symbolism

Massachusetts College of Art and Design Academic Regalia Collection

Official graduation gown and commencement accessories for MassArt graduates, including black graduation gowns, mortarboard caps with tassels, honor cords, and stoles that reflect academic achievement and creative distinction.

Graduation Gown & Cap: Black academic gown and mortarboard graduation cap with tassel — the foundation of MassArt commencement attire.
Bachelor’s Tassel & Honor Cords: Graduates wear tassels on their caps; honor cords from approved societies highlight academic or artistic achievements (color varies by organization).
Bachelor’s Stoles: Optional stoles may be worn to represent affiliations or honors; stoles reflect colors of the honoring organization or society.
Master’s Tassel & Hood: Master’s candidates wear a coordinating tassel and may add a hood representing degree and discipline colors following academic tradition.
Master’s Honor Cords & Stoles: Graduate cords and stoles celebrate higher academic distinction, leadership, and involvement.
Faculty Regalia Colors: Faculty regalia includes hoods and velvet trim in discipline colors representing advanced study and scholarly commitment.
All Other Academic Regalia: While the central gown color is black, tassel, hood, cord, and stole accents reflect tradition and recognition at MassArt commencement ceremonies.

Perfect for campus stores and graduation planners — ensure your MassArt commencement attire is complete and meaningful.

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