South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Commencement & Academic Regalia Summary

SDSMT holds commencement ceremonies for graduates (Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.) at scheduled dates — for example, the next December commencement is set for December 20, 2025. Graduates must rent or order official regalia through the campus store (the “Rocker Shop”) before the ceremony to participate.

For Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree recipients at SDSMT, the required academic attire consists of a black mortarboard cap, a black gown, and a tassel. The rental package includes hat, gown, and tassel; gowns must be returned after the ceremony, while caps and tassels may be kept as mementos.

For Master’s‑ and Doctoral‑level graduates, SDSMT provides full academic regalia: gown, cap, hood (for master’s and Ph.D.), and tassel. Doctoral gowns and hoods may include velvet trim or other distinguishing features per academic tradition. Rental gowns are collected on‑site after the ceremony but graduates can keep their tassel and hood (if applicable) as keepsakes.

According to SDSMT’s own commencement‑program documentation, the university’s official colors — “Mines Navy” and “Mines Old Gold” — symbolize SDSMT’s identity, indicating that academic‑regalia items (hood trim, cords, stoles) may use these colors for institutional representation. The 2023–2024 commencement program states that the “color of the tassel on the hat and the outside velvet trim of the hood indicates the field of study.”

SDSMT’s commencement policy strictly prohibits unofficial modifications: only university‑sanctioned hats, gowns, hoods, stoles or honor cords are allowed. Unauthorized decorations or personal cords/stoles may lead to exclusion from the ceremony.

In summary: SDSMT graduation attire is a regulated academic‑regalia system. Associate and Bachelor’s graduates wear a black cap, gown, and tassel; Master’s and Ph.D. graduates also wear discipline‑color hoods (with velvet trim) and appropriate tassels; tassel/hood colors reflect academic field, and only approved cords/stoles are permitted. This structure ensures consistency, respect for tradition, and official acknowledgment of academic discipline in SDSMT commencement ceremonies.

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Commencement & Academic Regalia Overview

• Cap, gown & tassel mandatory for all graduates – Every SDSMT graduate must order/ rent approved regalia from the Rocker Shop to participate in commencement.
• Royal‑blue gown for undergraduates – Undergraduate (Bachelor / Associate) graduates wear a royal‑blue gown, black mortarboard cap, and tassel; no hood is worn.
• Hooded academic dress for graduate degrees – Master’s and Ph.D. recipients wear gowns with hoods; Ph.D. gowns include velvet trim and chevrons. Hood velvet trim and tassel color indicate academic discipline; hood interior shows school colors (Mines Navy & Old Gold).
• Only school‑sanctioned stoles/cords allowed – Personal cap decorations or unofficial cords are prohibited; only cords or stoles approved by SDSMT may be worn.
• Suggested listing language – “Official SDSMT cap & gown set — royal‑blue undergraduate gown or hooded graduate gown with discipline‑color trim, plus mortarb oard cap and tassel. Authorized stoles/cords only.”

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology , 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.