Vanderbilt University — Commencement & Academic Regalia (≈320 words)

Vanderbilt University’s commencement is a formal, campus-wide celebration requiring official academic regalia: a graduation gown, graduation cap (mortarboard or tam), hood for advanced degrees, and tassel. Graduates must order regalia through the university’s approved vendor (Oak Hall / Vanderbilt ordering portal) and wear the designated attire to participate. Undergraduates, master’s and doctoral candidates have distinct gown styles—bachelor’s gowns are the basic academic gown, master’s robes use oblong sleeves and include a hood, and doctoral robes feature velvet facings and sleeve bars. Hoods and tassels use discipline colours consistent with the American Council on Education/academic costume code; the university also specifies institutional accents in its regalia design. Venues and processional logistics (practice, Graduate/Undergraduate ceremony locations such as GEODIS Park or on-campus fields) are published yearly in the official Commencement schedule and program. Honor cords and other adornments are permitted only from organizations officially recognized by Vanderbilt; the Commencement adornment policy limits unofficial additions to ensure a unified academic appearance. For doctoral and faculty regalia, metallic gold tassels, velvet panels, and hood linings denote the highest earned degree and institutional colours. Vanderbilt’s Graduate School publishes additional guidance — including regalia ordering instructions and PhD regalia subsidies — and the Registrar posts timelines and check-in requirements to ensure graduates receive the correct gown, hood and tassel before the ceremony. Together, these rules ensure visual consistency, respect for academic tradition, and clear instructions for students and families buying cap and gown sets, tassels, stoles and honor cords for official use.

Vanderbilt University Academic Regalia & Graduation Gown Colours

At Vanderbilt University’s Campus of Applied Sciences & Technology, commencement ceremonies require official academic regalia including graduation gown, graduation cap, tassel, honor cords, stoles and faculty robes. All items follow academic regalia standards for ceremony readiness.

Bachelor Level Regalia

• Gown: black bachelor’s gown with pointed sleeves.
• Cap: black mortarboard worn flat on head.
• Tassel: discipline‑specific colour; select according to your major.
• Honor cords: offered for academic honours and campus organizations.
• Stoles: optional cultural or departmental recognition stoles in approved colours.

Master Level Regalia

• Gown: black master’s robe with oblong sleeves.
• Tassel: discipline colour or gold for distinction.
• Hood: often included, lined in institutional colours and trimmed per discipline.
• Honor cords & stoles: recognition of departmental or honor society achievement.

Doctoral Level & Faculty Regalia

• Doctoral gown: black robe with velvet facings and sleeve bars.
• Tassel: metallic gold or discipline‑specific colour indicating highest academic level.
• Faculty regalia: gown and hood reflecting highest earned degree, academic discipline and institutional colours.

Cap & Gown Tassel Sets (All Levels)

• Includes: cap, gown and tassel for the appropriate degree level (Bachelor, Master or Doctoral).
• Honor cords & stoles available separately—choose approved colours designated for Vanderbilt Campus of Applied Sciences & Technology.
• Meets Vanderbilt University’s official commencement attire criteria.

Discipline & Regalia Colour Details

• Tassel and hood trim colours correspond to academic fields (arts, science, business, education, music, etc.) following standard academic costume codes.
• Confirm your major’s approved tassel or hood trim colour with Vanderbilt before purchasing.

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