University of the District of Columbia Commencement & Academic Regalia

The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) holds its flagship commencement ceremony at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, typically in May, where graduates, faculty, administrators, and honored guests gather for a dignified procession. During the ceremony, the academic procession enters and exits in full regalia, underscoring the importance of tradition, achievement, and institutional pride.

Graduating students wear a classic black graduation gown and square mortarboard-style graduation cap, with each student’s tassel chosen during their regalia order via Herff Jones. Master’s and doctoral candidates also wear academic hoods; the length and velvet trim of the hood represent the student’s degree level, and its lining reflects UDC’s school colors or their major.

UDC follows the Intercollegiate Code for academic regalia, mapping velvet color trim and tassels to academic disciplines. For example, the code outlines white for Arts & Humanities, drab for Business, copper for Economics, light blue for Education, orange for Engineering, golden yellow for Science, purple for Law, sage green for Physical Education, citron for Social Work, and more.

Regarding honor cords, UDC provides gold cords for students graduating with honors (Cum Laude, Magna, Summa) as indicated by their public commencement materials. The university’s registrar office also handles the distribution of cords during commencement registration. There is no widely published theft‑or‑papercodified stole-color scheme in UDC’s public documents, suggesting that stoles may not be standardized centrally or may vary by program.

Faculty regalia at UDC is rooted in traditional academic dress: professors wear black gowns with velvet trim and hoods in the same academic-discipline colors as students, and the hood lining reflects where their terminal degree was earned.

In summary, the University of the District of Columbia’s commencement ceremony is a blend of formality and academic symbolism. Through the correct wearing of the cap, gown, hood, tassel, and honor cord, graduates visually represent their academic journey, programs, and honors, contributing to a ceremony that is both meaningful and historically grounded.

UDC Academic Regalia – Graduation Gown, Cap & Accessories

• Traditional black graduation gown – compliant with UDC commencement policy
• Mortarboard graduation cap – clean, classic academic style
• Tassel provided via Herff Jones – part of UDC’s ordered regalia set
• Optional academic hood – available for master’s and doctorates, velvet‑trimmed in discipline-specific colors
• Honor cord option – gold or special cords for high academic honors (High, Highest, Top) delivered through the Registrar’s office
• Quality fabric – lightweight and wrinkle-resistant, perfect for formal ceremonies
• Designed for comfort and tradition – meets UDC’s academic regalia expectations

Gear up for your UDC commencement with this complete academic regalia set — gown, cap, hood (if needed), and honor cord — tailored to align with the University of the District of Columbia’s regalia policies and traditions.

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