The commencement ceremony at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (including the Washington County campus) features a formal procession of graduates in full academic regalia. Undergraduate (associate’s and bachelor’s) degree candidates wear a traditional black graduation gown with pointed sleeves and a black mortarboard graduation cap. The graduation tassel for bachelor’s candidates is placed on the right side of the cap prior to degree conferral and then moved to the left when the Chancellor declares the degree conferred. The tassel colour corresponds to the student’s field of study (for example: apricot for Nursing, orange for Engineering & Applied Science, white for Humanities & Social Sciences, citron for Social Welfare, gold for Science & Mathematics).

Master’s candidates wear a black gown styled with oblong sleeves, a black mortarboard cap and a black tassel worn on the left. The master’s program also includes an academic hood whose velvet trim indicates the field of study so the gown, hood and graduation cap together form the academic regalia.

Doctoral candidates wear a distinctive doctoral gown with velvet chevrons, a black tam (rather than mortarboard) and a gold tassel, and they are hooded on stage to complete their academic regalia. The doctoral hood and gown together identify the highest level of academic achievement.

Honor cords and stoles are optional but recognised accessories: graduates eligible for honours (e.g., high GPA, university honours) may wear a gold honour cord. Students may also wear stoles representing special programs or honours societies. The official regalia policy emphasises that the graduation gown, graduation cap, tassels and hood are the core of academic regalia; cords and stoles are supplementary. The same policy applies for faculty regalia: faculty members wear regalia consistent with their highest earned degree and follow the customary velvet trim/hue standard for their discipline.

In summary, the Washington County campus observes the UWM system’s graduation gown colour (black for gown, black cap or tam as appropriate), discipline‑based tassel and hood colours, and formal academic regalia structure for bachelor, master and doctoral candidates. This ensures consistency across campuses and helps graduates select the correct cap, gown, tassel, hood and honour cords in advance of the ceremony.

UWM Washington County Cap & Gown Academic Regalia Set

Get ready for your big moment with the official University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Washington County commencement attire. This academic regalia set includes the graduation gown, mortarboard cap (or tam for doctoral), tassel, and guidance for discipline colour choices, honor cords and stoles.

Key Features

• Traditional black graduation gown – bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral styles included.
• Matching graduation cap (mortarboard) or doctoral tam + tassel: black for bachelor & master, gold‑tassel for doctoral.
• Discipline tassel/hood trim colours at bachelor’s level – e.g., orange (Engineering), white (Humanities & Social Sciences), gold (Science & Mathematics), citron (Social Welfare) etc.
• Master’s hood and discipline colour velvet facing: light blue (Education), coral/salmon (Public Health), peacock (Human Resources & Labor Relations) etc.
• Honor cord and stole options: gold cord for high academic achievement, pewter stole for Honors College, black/gold stole for McNair Scholars, red/white/blue cord for service members.
• Faculty and other discipline regalia follow same velvet/hood colour codes so you match official academic regalia guidelines.

Why It Matters

Choosing the correct regalia ensures your graduation gown, graduation cap and tassel correspond to your degree level and academic discipline. Aligning with UWM’s official academic regalia policy guarantees you meet the commencement ceremony’s colour and styling requirements—whether for bachelor, master or doctoral degree.

Ordering Instructions

Select your degree level (Bachelor’s / Master’s / Doctoral), pick your preferred discipline tassel or hood trim colour if applicable, and add honour cord or stole options if eligible. Make sure to order in plenty of time for shipping and try on your gown ahead of ceremony day to ensure proper fit.

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