For bachelor’s candidates, the gown is black with a closed front and long, pointed open sleeves. The black mortarboard cap is worn, and the tassel – in the colour assigned to the major discipline – begins on the right side and is shifted to the left once the degree is formally conferred. Graduate (master’s) candidates wear a black gown with long, closed sleeves, a black mortarboard cap with a black tassel worn on the left throughout the ceremony; the academic hood reflects the graduate field of study via its velvet trim and lining. Doctoral candidates wear a distinctive black gown with bell‑shaped sleeves, velvet chevrons, an eight‑sided black velvet tam, and a gold tassel on the left. Their hood is more elaborate and further signals the discipline via velvet facing and institutional lining.

Tassel and hood velvet colours are discipline‑based. For example, at UW‑Madison bachelor’s tassel colours include orange for Engineering, white for Humanities & Arts, apricot for Nursing, citron for Social Work, and other defined colours for each major. Honor cords and stoles are used to recognize scholastic achievement: students graduating with distinction may wear a solid cardinal red stole; honours degree candidates may wear a white stole with cardinal red chevrons.

Faculty and other advanced‑degree holders at UW‑Madison wear full academic regalia consistent with their highest earned degree; the gown, hood and cap follow the same discipline‑based velvet striping and institutional lining protocol.

In summary, UW‑Madison’s commencement attire ensures that the graduation gown, graduation cap (or tam), tassel colour, hood velvet, honour stoles and cords all serve a symbolic role—marking degree level, academic discipline and scholastic distinction. The result is a unified and visually coherent ceremony that honours each graduate’s accomplishment with correct academic regalia.

UW‑Madison Graduation Regalia Set – Cap, Gown & Tassel for University of Wisconsin–Madison

Prepare for your big moment at UW‑Madison with a full academic regalia set: graduation gown, graduation cap, tassel and optional honor cord or stole. This set aligns with UW‑Madison’s official commencement attire—ensuring your graduation gown colour, academic regalia and graduation cap choices meet university guidelines.

Key Features

• Classic black graduation gown for bachelor, master and doctoral levels, with styles varying by degree.
• Graduation cap: black mortarboard for bachelor’s & master’s (tassel right then left), black velvet tam with gold tassel for doctoral.
• Discipline‐specific tassel and hood colours: e.g., apricot for Nursing, orange for Engineering, white for Humanities, citron for Social Work, and the wider hood velvet colours for graduate degrees.
• Optional honor cords and stoles for academic honors or distinction: e.g., white stole with cardinal chevrons for honors program, solid cardinal red stole for distinctive scholastic achievement.
• Faculty and advanced degree holders’ academic regalia: hoods, velvet facing and trimming reflect field colours and institutional lining in line with UW‑Madison standards.

Why It Matters

Choosing the correct graduation gown, graduation cap and academic regalia ensures you present your achievement with clarity and respect for tradition. Discipline‑colored tassels and hood trims visually identify your field of study, while the correct gown and cap style demonstrate alignment with ceremony protocol at UW‑Madison.

How to Order

Select your degree level and size, then pick your discipline’s tassel or hood colour. Add honor cords or stoles if eligible. Order early to ensure receipt, try‑on and preparation ahead of your UW‑Madison commencement ceremony.

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