Saint Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University — Commencement & Academic Regalia Summary

St. Cloud State University requires all graduating students who participate in commencement to wear official academic regalia. Black academic gowns and appropriate caps (mortarboard or tam) are required. Regalia may be ordered through the university’s official vendor or purchased elsewhere, and must be obtained before the Commencement Expo or at the campus bookstore.

Undergraduate Regalia

Undergraduate candidates wear the standard black gown and cap. Tassels for bachelor‑level graduates are in SCSU’s institutional colors — cardinal red and black. Honor graduates may wear cords: red cords for Cum Laude, silver for Magna Cum Laude, and gold for Summa Cum Laude.

Graduate & Doctoral Regalia

Graduate students wear gowns, hoods, and caps or tams depending on degree type. The hood’s velvet trim indicates the academic discipline (e.g. Business, Social Work, Education, etc.) while the hood lining reflects the university’s official colors (deep cardinal red and black). Tassel or hood‑trim colors vary by degree: for example, Master of Arts uses white, Master of Business Administration uses drab, Master of Public Administration uses peacock blue, Master of Science uses golden yellow, and so on. Doctoral gowns include velvet panels and bell sleeves to signify terminal‑degree status.

Honor Cords, Service & Special Recognition

In addition to standard honors cords, other cords are permitted: e.g. red‑white‑blue cords for veterans or active service‑member graduates. Also, participation in certain student‑success or honors‑college programs (e.g. “HuskiesAdvance” or University Honors) is represented by cords with specific colors (such as sage green & cream for HuskyAdvance, black/gold/red for Honors College). (

In summary: SCSU maintains a detailed academic‑regalia policy: undergraduates wear black gowns with cardinal‑red & black tassels, honors cords for GPA‑based distinctions; masters and doctoral candidates wear gowns, hoods, and degree‑specific hood‑trim/tassel colors; cords and stoles may also denote honors, veteran status, or program‑specific recognition. This ensures a consistent, formal academic dress code while allowing individual recognition for honors, discipline or service.

Short Description

Official‑style St. Cloud State University graduation regalia — gown, cap/tam, hood (if required), tassel and optional cords/ stoles — suitable for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral graduates.

Long Description – Cap, Gown, Tassel & Academic Regalia Details

St. Cloud State University requires all graduates who attend Commencement to wear academic regalia. Undergraduates wear a black gown and mortarboard cap with a tassel in the university colors (cardinal red & black). Honor‑eligible students may add cords corresponding to their honors level.

Graduate and doctoral‑level graduates wear gowns appropriate to their degree level, academic hoods lined in the university’s colors (deep cardinal red and black), and velvet‑trim edges in colors denoting their academic discipline — for example: golden yellow for Master of Science, drab for Business Administration, light blue for Education, peacock blue for Public Administration, citron for Social Work, and more according to SCSU’s official regimen.

Optional honor cords or stoles may be worn for academic honors, veteran status, honors‑college membership or special program participation. Approved colors reflect the type of recognition

Available Regalia Packages by Degree Level

• Undergraduate Package: Black gown + cap + cardinal red & black tassel + optional honor cord
• Graduate (Master’s) Package: Master’s gown + hood (discipline‑trim) + cap/tam + tassel
• Doctoral Package: Doctoral gown (velvet panels & bell sleeves) + hood + tam + tassel
• Accessory Add‑Ons (Optional): Honor cords, veteran cords, honors‑college stoles or program‑recognition cords — if eligible

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