University of New Mexico Graduation Regalia & Commencement Guide

The University of New Mexico (UNM) celebrates its graduates at formal commencement events where candidates don full academic regalia—including the graduation gown, graduation cap, tassel, honor cords and stoles. The university specifies that all graduates must wear approved regalia purchased through the UNM Bookstore.

Undergraduate candidates wear a bold red graduation gown and matching mortarboard cap when offered for certain programs, with a tassel whose colour is specific to their discipline. The under‑graduate “cap, gown and tassels set” may also feature approved honor cords or stoles to mark Latin honours or involvement in recognized student organisations.

Graduate and master’s candidates wear the black graduation gown with a mortarboard cap, black tassel, and the university‑approved hood lined in UNM’s school colours (cherry and silver) and trimmed in the discipline colour. Doctoral candidates wear a more elaborate regalia set—black gown with red panels/chevrons, velvet tam or mortarboard, and a gold tassel. :

The tassel colour and hood trim vary by academic discipline: examples include Apricot for Nursing, Lilac for Architecture, Orange for Engineering, Pink for Music, Golden Yellow for Science, Light Blue for Education. Honor cords and stoles must be from university‑recognised honour societies or approved campus organisations to be worn on the gown.

Faculty regalia at UNM follows academic dress tradition: faculty wear gowns, hoods and caps that reflect their highest earned degree and academic field, with the hood lining and velvet trim indicating discipline and institution. For students purchasing a “cap, gown and tassels set,” it’s essential to choose the correct graduation gown (appropriate to Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral level), the correct graduation cap style, the tassel aligned with your field, and to layer any honor cords or stoles according to UNM policy. This ensures a complete academic regalia set in harmony with UNM’s commencement traditions.

University of New Mexico Graduation Gown and Academic Regalia Guide

The University of New Mexico (UNM) celebrates graduates across all disciplines with formal commencement ceremonies, where students don academic regalia that includes graduation gowns, graduation caps, tassels, honor cords, and stoles. Each element of the regalia represents degree level, academic achievement, or field of study, ensuring a professional and cohesive appearance for all graduates.

Commencement Regalia Overview

UNM graduates wear standardized graduation gowns with mortarboard caps for a polished and unified presentation. The graduation gown color varies by degree and discipline, while tassels, honor cords, and stoles reflect honors, academic societies, or program affiliations. Faculty regalia includes gowns, hoods, and caps reflecting the highest earned degree and discipline, with hood linings displaying UNM colors and velvet trims indicating academic field.

Bachelor’s Degree Regalia

• Gown: Standard black or UNM red gown.
• Cap: Mortarboard with appropriate tassel.
• Tassel: Discipline-specific color or gold for honors.
• Honor Cords & Stoles: Gold or university-approved colors for academic excellence or society recognition.

Master’s Degree Regalia

• Gown: Black master’s gown with oblong sleeves.
• Cap: Mortarboard with tassel in field-specific color.
• Tassel: Gold or field-specific color.
• Hood & Stoles: Hood lined with UNM colors, trim matches academic discipline; stoles optional for honors and societies.

Doctoral Degree Regalia

• Gown: Doctoral gown with velvet panels and sleeve bars.
• Cap: Velvet tam with gold tassel.
• Honor Cord & Stole: Gold or discipline-specific colors for highest recognition.

Faculty Regalia

• Faculty wear gowns, hoods, and caps representing their highest earned degree.
• Hood lining displays UNM colors; velvet trim indicates academic discipline.

Discipline-Specific Regalia Colors

• Business – drab
• Education – light blue
• Engineering – orange
• Fine Arts – brown
• Music – pink
• Nursing – apricot
• Science – golden yellow
• Public Administration – peacock blue
• Arts & Humanities – white

Why Choose UNM-Approved Regalia

• Authentic academic regalia that meets UNM commencement standards.
• Complete cap, gown, and tassel sets for Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral students.
• Optional honor cords and stoles for recognition of academic distinction and society membership.
• Ideal for commencement ceremonies, professional photos, and keepsakes celebrating UNM achievement.

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