National Louis University

National Louis University (NLU) hosts its annual commencement ceremony to celebrate graduates across associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral programs. The commencement typically spans multiple days in June, with processions beginning before the ceremony and graduates arriving early to check in and don their academic attire. NLU clearly states that full academic regalia is required, including the graduation gown, graduation cap (mortarboard or tam), tassel, and hood for eligible degrees. Students must purchase their cap and gown from Herff Jones to participate in the ceremony. Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral regalia orders are handled through the NLU Herff Jones portal with deadlines prior to the ceremony.

For undergraduate degrees, graduates wear a black graduation gown and mortarboard cap with a tassel that starts on the right and moves to the left after the degree is awarded — a tradition that symbolizes the conferral of academic achievement. Undergraduate graduates also wear a Stole of Gratitude as part of their academic regalia, which complements the graduation gown and adds a ceremonial touch. The graduation gown color across degree levels is generally black, consistent with classic academic costume standards. NLU’s official guidance notes that tassel colors for undergraduates reflect their program major, although specific color codes for each discipline are not published on the public commencement pages.

At the master’s and educational specialist level, graduates wear a black graduation gown, tassel, hood, and mortarboard or equivalent academic cap. The hood border color and tassel color for graduate degrees typically indicate the graduate’s discipline, while the hood lining represents the alma mater — in NLU’s case, its institutional colors of platinum and blue. Doctoral graduates wear an advanced gown with sleeve chevrons and may choose custom doctoral regalia. Faculty participating in commencement wear faculty regalia consistent with their highest earned academic degrees; this includes velvet‑trimmed gowns and hoods that reflect discipline color conventions per academic regalia tradition.

NLU does not publish a full discipline or honor cord color chart on its public commencement pages, so students should verify tassel and academic regalia color specifics with Herff Jones or the NLU registrar when ordering.

National Louis University Cap & Gown Academic Regalia Set

• Black graduation gown with matching mortarboard cap
• Graduation tassel included — verify program color choices
• Undergraduate Stole of Gratitude
• Graduate hood and tassel denote field of study
• Doctoral regalia options available

Celebrate your National Louis University graduation with this complete academic regalia set. Ensure tassel, hood, and honor cord colors align with NLU requirements before ordering.

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