University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Commencement & Academic Regalia Summary

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) hosts annual commencement ceremonies celebrating the achievements of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. Graduates wear full academic regalia in accordance with UAB and Intercollegiate Code standards, including a green graduation gown for bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a mortarboard cap, and a tassel. Doctoral graduates wear more elaborate gowns with velvet facings, sleeve bars, and a tam with gold tassel.

Master’s and doctoral graduates also wear a hood lined with UAB’s green and gold colors. The velvet trim on the hood indicates the academic discipline: orange for Engineering, light blue for Education, golden yellow for Science, apricot for Nursing, and peacock blue for Public Administration. The hood visually highlights the graduate’s field of study while aligning with UAB’s traditional regalia system.

Undergraduate honor cords are awarded for Latin honors: cum laude (GPA 3.5–3.69), magna cum laude (GPA 3.7–3.89), and summa cum laude (GPA 3.9–4.0). Additionally, graduating veterans may wear red, white, and blue cords, and students may opt to wear stoles representing affiliations or achievements.

Faculty regalia follows traditional academic dress, with gowns representing the highest degree earned, velvet trim indicating discipline, and hoods featuring UAB’s green and gold colors. This ensures a consistent and professional presentation during the ceremony.

Overall, UAB commencement ceremonies showcase traditional graduation gowns, caps, tassels, hoods, honor cords, and stoles, reflecting academic achievement, degree level, and discipline. Graduates are advised to order regalia through the UAB Bookstore and confirm hood, tassel, and cord colors with the Registrar to ensure proper representation during commencement.