Ringling College of Art and Design

Ringling College of Art & Design Commencement & Academic Regalia Overview

Ringling College of Art & Design holds its annual commencement ceremony for graduates each May (e.g., the 2025 Commencement scheduled at Robarts Arena, Sarasota). Graduates must order their cap, gown, and tassel by the published deadline (e.g., March 25) via the Ringling College shop; regalia pick‑up typically begins in late April.

Undergraduate and graduate students both wear the official academic regalia set: a gown, cap (mortarboard), and tassel. Ringling’s commencement tradition permits the use of various colored cords at graduation to recognize “exceptional talent, leadership, and contributions to the College community,” including academic honors, leadership roles, military service, and other attributes.

Despite availability of cords and adornments, Ringling College does **not** publicly provide a detailed, public “color‑chart” that maps tassel, hood, or stole colors to specific academic disciplines or degree types. The publicly available graduate information page and commencement documents emphasize ordering a standard cap, gown, and tassel — without reference to color-coded hoods or discipline‑based tassels.

Because the regalia is centrally ordered and distributed, and because colored cords are used for honors or recognition rather than discipline‑based identification, Ringling’s commencement attire system balances uniformity with flexibility: all graduates wear the same baseline academic gown and cap, while cords (in various colors) highlight individual distinctions.

In summary: Ringling College’s commencement and academic‑regalia protocol centers on a standard graduation gown, cap, and tassel for all degree candidates. Color‑coded or discipline‑based tassels, hoods or stoles for different majors are not publicly documented. Instead, the institution leverages colored cords to recognize honors, leadership, or service — allowing personalization while maintaining consistency in graduation attire across majors and degrees.

• Graduation gown, mortarboard cap, and tassel — standard required attire for Ringling College commencement participants.
• Neutral‑color gown and cap — universal across all majors and degree types, since Ringling does not enforce discipline‑based tassel or hood colors publicly.
• Compatible with official honor cords — ideal for graduates recognized for academic honors, leadership, service, or other achievements.
• One‑size‑fits‑all kit — effective for undergraduates and graduates alike, simplifying the process for any Ringling degree holder.
• Clean, formal academic regalia — perfect for commencement ceremonies, diploma presentation, photos, and keepsake use.

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