Norfolk State University

Norfolk State University’s commencement ceremony celebrates graduates’ academic success in a formal procession held on campus, typically beginning at 9:00 a.m. with family, faculty, and guests in attendance. Graduates must check in early and wear full academic regalia — including the official graduation gown, graduation cap, hood (for graduate degrees), and tassel — to participate in the academic procession. Only university-approved regalia purchased through the NSU Bookstore or designated vendor is permitted.

For both bachelor’s and master’s candidates, the traditional black graduation gown is required and must not be altered or decorated. Bachelor’s gowns feature standard sleeves, while master’s gowns include the distinctive long, pointed sleeve indicative of the degree level. The black mortarboard graduation cap is worn flat with the tassel positioned according to university instructions; graduates follow the tassel move tradition after degree conferral.

Norfolk State University supports the wear of approved honor cords and stoles that reflect academic distinction and organizational involvement. Latin honors aren’t specifically outlined in recent NSU documents, but university-sanctioned honor cords, stoles, and medallions may be worn with regalia to recognize achievement and membership in honor societies. Only official cords and stoles issued or sanctioned by the institution are permitted.

Faculty and staff participating in commencement wear traditional faculty regalia with doctoral and master’s robes that include velvet facings and degree hoods indicating discipline and academic status. Academic regalia for doctoral faculty often features velvet trim and hood linings with institution colors.

Overall, Norfolk State University’s commencement emphasizes respect for academic traditions and proper attire. Graduates should secure their complete cap, gown and tassels sets ahead of the ceremony, follow regalia protocols, and wear approved honor cords and stoles to showcase their scholastic and co-curricular accomplishments during this meaningful academic milestone.

Norfolk State University Academic Regalia & Commencement Colors Guide

At Norfolk State University (NSU), commencement is a formal celebration of academic achievement with graduates wearing approved academic regalia — including the official graduation gown, graduation cap, tassel, and optional honor cords or stoles. All regalia items must be purchased or ordered through the NSU Bookstore or official vendor and comply with the university’s commencement dress code. Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral candidates wear traditional black gowns with appropriate sleeves and hoods for advanced degrees, creating a unified yet scholarly commencement aesthetic. Tassels reflect degree earned and hoods for graduate degrees include velvet trim indicating field of study. Faculty regalia includes traditional doctoral gowns with velvet facings and hoods in discipline colors. NSU strictly enforces regalia decorum to preserve commencement dignity.

Amazon-Style Product Listing – NSU Regalia Essentials

• Norfolk State University Bachelor Cap & Gown Set: Black bachelor’s graduation gown + mortarboard graduation cap + tassel indicating degree earned (tassel color based on degree field).
• Bachelor Tassel & Colors: Degree-specific tassel colors representing academic fields as defined by NSU commencement guidelines.
• Honor Cord & Stoles for Bachelor Graduates: Approved honor cords and organization-specific stoles in green, gold, silver, white and many multi-color options.
• Norfolk State University Master Cap & Gown Set: Black master’s graduation gown with oblong sleeves, mortarboard graduation cap, green hood velvet trim per discipline (e.g., Golden Yellow for Computer Science).
• Master Tassel & Hood Colors: Black tassel worn left after degree conferred; hood velvet colors reflect major fields (e.g., Crimson for Media & Communications).
• Honor Cords & Academic Distinction: NSU approved cords include green & gold (Summa), green & silver (Magna), green & white (Cum Laude) and multi-organization cords.
• NSU Faculty Regalia Color: Faculty wear traditional doctoral robes with velvet facings and hoods denoting academic discipline.
• All Discipline Regalia Color: NSU’s academic regalia base color is black; hoods and accessories introduce discipline color accents.

Google Store Listing Bullets – NSU Commencement Regalia

• Official Norfolk State University Academic Regalia Cap, Gown & Tassels Sets.
• Black Graduation Gown & Cap – Classic Academic Regalia for Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees.
• Bachelor’s Tassel Colors – Degree-specific tassel reflecting field of study per NSU commencement guide.
• Master’s Hood Velvet Colors – Master’s degree hoods trimmed in discipline colors (e.g., White, Golden Yellow, Midnight Blue, Crimson).
• Approved Honor Cords – Green/Gold, Green/Silver, Green/White plus organization-specific cords.
• Stoles – NSU offers a wide range of approved stoles including white with green trim, royal blue, gold, red and multi-color designs.
• Faculty Academic Regalia – Traditional black doctoral gowns with velvet facings indicating discipline colors.
• All Discipline Regalia Colors – Base black gown with custom hoods and accessories showcasing academic achievements.

NSU’s commencement regalia and colors embody academic tradition and recognition. Graduates should order their cap, gown and tassel set early, choose approved honor cords and stoles to highlight scholarly and organizational achievements, and follow commencement attire guidelines for a memorable academic milestone.

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