Northwestern State University

Northwestern State University requires that all degree candidates obtaining associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist’s or doctoral degrees wear official academic regalia for commencement.

For associate, bachelor, master and specialist degrees, NSU uses a purple gown as the basic academic robe. The design and trimming of the gown varies by degree level: master’s and specialist gowns have long pointed sleeves with arm slits; doctoral gowns are made of silk, have rounded open sleeves, black velvet front panels, and velvet sleeve bars — with the velvet either black or colored per the faculty/subject.

Graduates wear a mortarboard cap; the tassel color reflects either degree type or academic discipline. At NSU, associate-degree graduates wear a purple tassel, while bachelor’s, master’s, and specialist graduates wear purple and white tassels. Candidates for advanced degrees (master’s, specialist, doctoral) wear a hood — lined with the university colors (purple and white) — with the hood’s velvet edging (trim) indicating their academic field or discipline.

For academic disciplines, the standard color-coding at NSU is publicly specified: Arts, Letters & Humanities use white; Business uses drab; Education uses baby blue; Music uses pink; Nursing uses apricot; Science uses golden yellow.

The university allows approved honor cords, medallions, or stoles (for recognized honor societies, fraternities, or special campus organizations) to be worn with the gown — but only those approved per NSU’s commencement guidelines.

In sum: Northwestern State University follows a traditional academic-regalia system: purple gowns for most degrees, discipline-based hood velvet for advanced degrees, tassels and hoods coded by degree and field, and allowance for approved honor cords/stoles. For vendors, graduates, or third-party sellers organizing NSU “cap and gown sets,” these publicly defined color and style rules provide a clear basis for correct academic dress compliance.

Northwestern State University – Official Academic Regalia & Graduation Apparel

This listing outlines the official cap, gown, hood, tassel and accessory requirements for NSU commencement — useful for graduates, families, or regalia suppliers sourcing degree‑appropriate attire.

• Cap & Gown Required for Graduation: NSU mandates approved academic regalia for all participating graduates.
• Gown by Degree Level: Purple gown for associate, bachelor, master, and specialist degrees; doctoral gowns with black‑velvet front panels and sleeve bars for doctoral degrees.
• Hood & Discipline Trim: Advanced‑degree candidates (master’s, specialist, doctoral) wear hoods lined purple & white; velvet edging trimmed in colors reflecting academic discipline (e.g. white for Humanities, drab for Business, baby blue for Education, pink for Music, apricot for Nursing, golden yellow for Science).
• Tassels by Degree & Discipline: Associate degree – purple tassel; Bachelor/Master/Specialist – purple & white tassel. For advanced degrees, a tassel color matching the academic discipline is used.
• Honor Cords & Stoles: Approved honor cords, stoles or medallions — awarded by recognized societies or campus organizations — may be worn with the regalia.

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