University of Dubuque Commencement Ceremony & Academic Regalia

The University of Dubuque (UD) celebrates its graduates in formal commencement ceremonies that reflect long-standing academic traditions. During the procession, faculty, trustees, distinguished guests, and students wear classic academic dress: caps, gowns, and hoods that symbolize degree level, institution, and field of study.

Graduates wear a black graduation gown: bachelor’s gowns feature pointed sleeves, while master’s gowns have oblong sleeves, and doctoral gowns are more elaborate, with bell-shaped sleeves, black velvet facings, and three velvet bars. The use of academic hoods at UD further distinguishes degree holders: the hood’s lining denotes the institution, and its velvet border reveals the graduate’s academic discipline through specific trimming colors.

UD follows a well‑defined color scheme for discipline-based velvet trim and tassels. The official regalia color chart includes maize for Agriculture, light blue for Education, orange for Engineering, golden yellow for Science, apricot for Nursing, dark blue for Philosophy, citron for Social Work, purple for Law, and many more.

Academic honors are clearly marked: graduates who attain cum laude or other honors wear distinguished cords. For example, UD issues gold cords for overall academic distinction, royal blue cords for its Honors Program, and blue and green cords for members of the Alpha Chi honor society. Veterans and military graduates are honored uniquely with a red, white & blue cord recognizing their service.

The faculty regalia at UD is grounded in the same traditional academic dress code. Faculty robes are differentiated by velvet trim and hood colors: velvet width changes by degree level, and trim color reflects faculty discipline.

In summary, University of Dubuque’s commencement ceremony weaves together tradition and academic symbolism. Through the correct use of graduation gowns, caps, hoods, tassels, and honor cords, each graduate and faculty member visually represents their academic journey, achievements, and disciplinary identity — making the ceremony both dignified and meaningful.

UD Academic Regalia – Cap, Gown & Accessories

• Graduation gown – traditional doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s styles in accordance with UD policy
• Mortarboard cap – classic square graduation cap for all degree levels
• Tassels in discipline‑specific colors – based on University of Dubuque’s academic color palette (e.g., white, copper, dark blue, orange, golden yellow, purple, citron, salmon pink)
• Academic hood available – with velvet edging and institutional lining to represent field and degree level
• Honor cords included – for students meeting academic honors; cords awarded at commencement line-up
• High-quality material – stage-appropriate fabric with a clean finish for graduation photos
• Design varies by degree – correct sleeve and trim styles for bachelor, master, and doctoral robes

Get ready for your University of Dubuque commencement with this fully compliant academic regalia set. It delivers the gown, cap, tassel, and hood options you need — with discipline‑correct color choices for a dignified, scholarly presentation.

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