Northwood University

Northwood University holds formal commencement ceremonies — typically in December and in May — for eligible graduates.

According to the most recent publicly available commencement program, the regalia protocol at NU follows traditional academic‑regalia standards: the type of gown, hood, and sleeve style depends on the degree level (bachelor, master, doctoral/honorary).

For bachelor’s (and associate‑equivalent) degrees, the gown uses the “long or pointed sleeve.”

For master’s degrees, the gown uses “long, closed sleeve with arm slit”; master’s graduates wear a hood appropriate to their degree.

For doctorates or honorary‑degree recipients, NU uses the classic “bell‑sleeve” gown with velvet facings and sleeve bars; the doctor’s hood is large, and doctoral graduates may — at their discretion — wear a gold tassel on the cap.

Regarding color and discipline‑based distinction: the hood is lined with institutional colors (for the degree‑granting institution) and trimmed with velvet in a color that reflects the graduate’s field of study (e.g. humanities / social sciences, white; science, golden yellow; business and public management, drab; engineering, orange; etc.).

Moreover, Northwood’s regalia guidelines allow for a navy stole with a white academic seal to represent student achievement and success.

For graduates with active or veteran military status, red, white, and blue cords recognize their service.

However — while the style, hood‑lining/velvet‑trim and accessory options (stole, cords) are publicly described — there is no publicly available, up-to-date color‑chart mapping every major or discipline to a precise hood or velvet color. The 2024 commencement program provides some example categories, but not a full exhaustive catalog.

In sum: Northwood University’s commencement follows traditional academic regalia conventions — degree‑level appropriate gowns (sleeve/hood variations), hoods with velvet trim denoting discipline, optional honor cords/stoles, and in the case of doctorates, velvet gowns plus optional gold tassels. For exact hood‑color by major or accessory‑color by honor status, graduates or vendors should reference the latest commencement program or contact the university’s registrar/bookstore for confirmation.

Northwood University – Graduation & Academic Regalia

Prepare for Northwood University commencement with official academic regalia. Cap, gown, tassel, hood, and optional honor cords and stoles are required to participate in graduation ceremonies.

• Cap & Graduation Gown: Required for all graduates. Bachelor’s gowns have pointed sleeves; master’s gowns feature closed sleeves with arm slits; doctoral gowns have bell-shaped sleeves with velvet facings and sleeve bars.
• Graduation Gown Color: Bachelor, master, and doctoral gowns follow traditional NU styles. Exact velvet trim colors reflect the graduate’s discipline (e.g., white for humanities, golden yellow for science, drab for business, orange for engineering).
• Graduation Cap & Tassel: Standard mortarboard cap required. Doctoral graduates may wear a gold tassel. Bachelor’s and master’s tassels follow standard black with graduation-year charm.
• Hoods & Academic Regalia: Master’s and doctoral graduates wear hoods with institutional lining and velvet trim corresponding to their field of study. Hoods are a key element of academic regalia.
• Honor Cords & Stoles: Navy stole with white academic seal available for student achievement; red, white, and blue cords recognize active or veteran military service.
• Faculty Regalia Color: Faculty regalia may vary by degree and discipline; check with the Registrar or Bookstore for department-specific guidelines.
• All Other Discipline Regalia Colors: Velvet trim on hoods represents the graduate’s field. While general discipline colors are documented, a complete color chart for all majors is not publicly available.

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