Rider University

Rider University Commencement & Academic Regalia Overview

Rider University requires eligible graduates to pre‑order their academic attire for commencement. Cap, gown and tassel must be ordered in advance through the university’s commencement portal; pickup is distributed along with tickets and parking passes prior to the ceremony.

Undergraduate and bachelor‑degree graduates wear the standard black gown with pointed sleeves, a mortarboard cap, and a tassel. According to Rider’s official “Academic Heraldry” guidelines, the undergraduate tassel is black by default, but graduates earning honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) wear a white tassel to distinguish their achievement.

Graduate (master’s) candidates wear a gown with the distinctive master’s sleeve cut and also a hood appropriate to their discipline; the master’s tassel is cranberry for those graduating with distinction. Doctoral‑level regalia follows traditional format with velvet‑trimmed gown, hood, and doctoral cap/tam where applicable.

The hood’s velvet border (and gown trimming at doctoral level) uses a color code indicating the graduate’s field of learning: for instance Business uses drab, Education light blue, Liberal Arts white, Science gold, Nursing apricot, Fine and Performing Arts brown, etc.

Rider University also permits honor cords, stoles, or other approved academic‑regalia adornments when applicable (honor societies, special recognition), though the official “Academic Heraldry” focuses on cap, gown, hood and tassel — with cords/stoles treated as supplementary.

In summary: Rider University’s commencement attire policy revolves around traditional academic‑regalia — black gowns and mortarboard/suitable caps, tassels whose color signals honors status, and hoods/trimmings that reflect discipline at the graduate or doctoral level. Honor cords or stoles may be allowed in addition, but the core cap‑gown‑tassel (and hood for advanced degrees) set remains uniform, official, and required for ceremony participation.

• Black mortarboard cap, academic gown, and tassel — standard attire required for Rider University commencement graduates.
• White tassel for honor graduates (cum laude/magna/summa), standard black for others; cranberry tassel for master’s with distinction — aligned with Rider’s honors and degree‑level codes.
• Master’s‑level set includes hood; doctoral‑level set includes velvet‑trim gown, hood, and appropriate cap/tam — ideal for advanced‑degree graduates.
• Hood velvet trim and gown accents use discipline‑based colors (Business, Education, Science, Nursing, Arts, etc.), adhering to the field‑of‑study color code.
• Compatible with additional approved honor cords or stoles for honor societies or special recognitions. ([rider.edu Commencement Info])
• Ceremony‑ready, professional academic‑regalia — suitable for commencement processional, stage walk, diploma conferral, and graduation photos.

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