Northwestern University

Northwestern University requires all graduates who wish to participate in Commencement or hooding ceremonies to wear official academic regalia. Undergraduates and master’s‑level candidates use standard regalia, while doctoral (PhD / MFA) graduates follow a specialized hooding protocol.

For undergraduates and master’s students, the “souvenir regalia” includes a purple gown custom‑designed for Northwestern (featuring the university crest), and is mandatory for participation. Bachelor’s degree candidates also receive a “souvenir stole,” while advanced degree candidates (master’s / PhD / MFA) wear a hood instead of a stole.

The hood’s interior lining is purple and gold (Northwestern’s official colors), while the velvet border (trim) of the hood — and in many cases the cap’s tassel — reflect the graduate’s academic field (discipline). For example: arts and humanities fields use white, engineering uses orange, music uses pink, science uses golden yellow, etc.

The degree of the gown and hood also changes: for doctoral‑level graduates, the gown used in hooding ceremonies features bell sleeves with black velvet front panels, and a doctoral tam (a velvet cap) instead of a mortarboard cap, with a gold tassel for PhD graduates.

Regarding honor cords, stoles, and other distinctions: Northwestern allows degree candidates to wear approved honor cords and stoles — awarded by their school or recognized campus organizations — for achievements, leadership, service, or membership. Note: holders of Latin honors do not receive honor cords for the main Commencement (Latin honors are awarded afterward), so honor cords at Commencement reflect society or organizational honors, not GPA‑based Latin honors.

In short: Northwestern University’s commencement regalia is carefully structured — purple gowns with university crest for undergraduates/masters, hoods lined purple‑gold and trimmed in discipline‑specific velvet for advanced degrees, and the option of honor cords/stoles for organization‑ or achievement‑based recognition. While the general color‑by‑discipline scheme is public, students should confirm with the official ordering portal to ensure the correct hood velvet and tassel color for their academic area.

Northwestern University – Official Academic Regalia & Graduation Apparel

This listing outlines the official cap, gown, hood and accessory requirements for Northwestern University commencement — ideal for graduates, families, or regalia suppliers sourcing proper academic dress kits.

• Cap & Gown Required for Graduation: Northwestern mandates approved academic regalia for all participating graduates; undergraduates and master’s candidates receive purple “souvenir regalia.”
• Bachelor’s Regalia: Purple gown with university crest and a souvenir stole.
• Master’s Regalia: Purple gown, mortarboard cap, hood lined purple & gold with discipline‑specific velvet border.
• Doctoral / Advanced Degree Regalia: Bell‑sleeve gown with velvet facings, velvet tam cap (instead of mortarboard), doctoral hood lined purple & gold, hood velvet trim and hood/tassel color indicate academic area, gold tassel on tam for PhD.
• Hoods & Discipline Colors: Hood lining = purple & gold (Northwestern’s colors); velvet border (and tassel for many) reflects field of study: e.g. white for humanities, orange for engineering, golden yellow for science, pink for music, etc.
• Honor Cords, Stoles & Organizational Honors: Recognized honor cords and stoles are allowed — awarded by schools or campus organizations for membership, leadership, service, or achievements.

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