At Pratt Institute, all graduates and faculty participating in Commencement are required to wear formal academic regalia. The standard set includes a graduation gown, mortarboard cap, and tassel, with additional braids or cords for distinctions. Regalia must be ordered in advance via the designated vendor and is typically available for pickup at the on-campus Grad Fair prior to Commencement.

All graduates wear a standard academic robe and mortarboard cap. The regalia set includes a tassel, and Pratt does not specify a fixed tassel color tied to degree level or major; the provided tassel is considered part of the official set.

Pratt Institute uses a color-coded braid and cord system rather than a traditional hood-color system to denote academic disciplines, honors, leadership, and special designations. Discipline colors include golden yellow for Science, orange for Engineering, brown for Fine Arts, blue-violet for Architecture, citron for Social Service, dark blue for Philosophy, white for Arts & Letters, light blue for Education, lemon for Library Science, pink for Music, and olive brown for Public Administration.

Honor and recognition braids include gold for departmental contributions, silver for academic honors, green for sustainability leadership, red for student affairs leadership, light blue & white for first-generation graduates, white for varsity student-athletes, and rainbow braids for LGBTQI+ graduates in Lavender Graduation.

Faculty participating in Commencement wear academic regalia (cap, gown, hood) according to their discipline and school colors. Faculty without personal regalia may rent attire through the provided RSVP or ordering process.

In summary, Pratt Institute’s commencement regalia centers on a classic black gown and mortarboard cap with tassel for all graduates. The braid and cord system allows visual differentiation based on academic discipline, honors, leadership roles, first-generation status, athletics, or affiliation with affinity groups. Gold, silver, green, red, white, rainbow, and discipline-specific braids or cords provide vibrant visual distinction, while faculty regalia follows discipline-based hood or gown coloring to maintain a formal, unified Commencement appearance.

Pratt Institute Commencement & Academic Regalia Overview

At Pratt Institute, commencement ceremonies are held annually (e.g. the 136th Commencement for class of 2025) at a formal venue, with all graduates required to wear academic regalia.

Cap, Gown & Tassel – Core Graduation Regalia

• All participating graduates wear a traditional graduation gown and mortarboard graduation cap as their base academic dress.
• The standard regalia set includes a tassel; Pratt’s public documentation does not assign a fixed tassel‑color code for bachelor, master, or doctoral levels. The provided tassel is considered official regardless of major or degree level.
• Graduates must order their regalia in advance, typically through a designated vendor; distribution happens via on‑campus “Grad Fair” before Commencement.

Braids, Cords & Honors — Discipline and Recognition Colors

Instead of using a traditional hood‑color system, Pratt uses a publicized color‑coded braid and cord system to denote academic disciplines, honors, leadership, and special designations.

• Discipline Colors: Each major or school is represented by a braid/cord color — for example: golden yellow for Science; orange for Engineering; brown for Fine Arts; blue‑violet for Architecture; citron for Social Service; lemon for Library Science; pink for Music; white for Arts & Letters; light blue for Education; dark blue for Philosophy; olive brown for Public Administration.
• Honor and Recognition Braids: Graduates may wear special braids or cords to highlight distinctions — e.g. silver braids for “Academic Honors/Distinction”, gold braids for departmental contributions, green braids for sustainability leadership, red braids for Student Affairs leadership/service, light blue & white braids for first‑generation graduates, white braids for varsity student‑athletes, and rainbow braids for LGBTQI+ graduates (worn at Lavender Graduation).

Regalia for Bachelor, Master & Doctoral Graduates

• Bachelor Cap & Gown: Black gown + mortarboard + standard tassel. Discipline / major color is shown via braid/cord rather than hood or tassel color. Optional honor/recognition cords or braids may be worn.
• Master / Doctoral Regalia: Similarly, graduates wear the standard gown and cap with tassel. Major/discipline is indicated with the braid/cord system. Honor or recognition braids (as above) may also apply.
• Faculty Regalia & Others: Faculty and other participants follow regalia guidelines; discipline and rank may be shown via appropriate regalia components (gown style, cord or braid colors) as per Institute policy.

Implications for External Listings — Cap & Gown Sets for Pratt Graduates

• Any “Pratt Institute cap & gown set” marketed for sale should default to the standard black gown and mortarboard with tassel, without making claims of a standardized tassel‑color by degree level.
• Discipline‑specific braid or cord color options should be offered separately (e.g. golden yellow, orange, brown, blue‑violet, citron, etc.) to reflect Pratt’s braid/cord color code used for majors and departments.
• Honor/recognition braid or cord sets (silver, gold, green, red, rainbow, etc.) should be clearly labeled as optional and purpose‑specific (honors, leadership, first‑gen status, athletics, etc.).
• Any listing should avoid implying that Pratt uses a traditional hood‑color academic regalia system, and instead emphasize the braid/cord‑based discipline and honors system that the Institute publicly documents.

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