Western Michigan University Commencement & Academic Regalia

Western Michigan University (WMU) requires all graduates participating in the commencement ceremony to wear the official academic regalia. Graduates don a classic black graduation gown paired with a matching mortarboard or tam. The cap features a colored tassel representing the student’s degree or field of study. Master’s candidates wear a hood with colors corresponding to their academic discipline, while doctoral candidates have additional velvet trims on gowns to denote their level of achievement.

The university specifies field colors for bachelor’s degrees, including white for Arts, sapphire blue for Business Administration, orange for Engineering, pink for Music, apricot for Nursing, golden yellow for Science, and citron for Social Work. Master’s degrees follow similar guidelines, such as green for Medicine, salmon for Public Health, and peacock blue for Public Administration. Honor cords and stoles are also used to signify membership in honor societies, university honors, or military service recognition.

Faculty and staff participating in the ceremony must wear academic regalia consistent with their credentials. Doctoral faculty wear gowns with velvet trim and hoods representing their field of study. All regalia must be ordered or rented in advance, and master’s graduates are encouraged to confirm their tassel and hood colors per the university’s official color guide.

WMU emphasizes adherence to the official graduation attire; graduates not wearing the correct gown, cap, tassel, or hood may be deemed ineligible to participate in the ceremony. This ensures uniformity and honors the tradition of academic regalia at Western Michigan University.

Western Michigan University Graduation Gown & Academic Regalia

Celebrate your academic achievement at Western Michigan University with official graduation gowns, caps, tassels, stoles, and honor cords. WMU’s commencement ceremonies feature a structured academic regalia system that ensures all graduates present a professional and uniform appearance. Whether you are earning a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, the regalia is designed to highlight your academic accomplishments while following university traditions.

Bachelor Graduation Regalia

• Cap and Gown: Classic black gown with a matching mortarboard.
• Tassel: Color-coded according to your field of study.
• Honor Cords: Awarded for Latin honors or membership in approved honor societies.
• Stoles: Optional, based on student organization or academic recognition.

Master Graduation Regalia

• Gown: Black master’s gown with long, closed sleeves.
• Hood: Color-coded lining representing degree discipline.
• Tassel: Coordinated with degree level and field.
• Honor Cords & Stoles: As permitted by the university guidelines.

Doctoral Graduation Regalia

• Gown: Doctoral gown with velvet panels and stripes.
• Hood: Color-coded to your degree field and school.
• Cap: Tam with appropriate tassel color.
• Honor Cords & Stoles: Limited, in line with university policies.

Faculty Regalia

• Faculty wear full academic regalia with gowns and hoods representing their highest earned degree.
• Velvet trims and colors indicate specific disciplines.

All Other Discipline Colors

• Fields of study follow official WMU color codes: white (Arts), sapphire (Business), orange (Engineering), apricot (Nursing), golden yellow (Science), pink (Music), citron (Social Work), and others as per the university guide.

Every piece of WMU graduation regalia is designed to maintain a uniform, professional appearance for commencement ceremonies. Graduation gowns, caps, tassels, stoles, and cords are available for purchase or rental through the university-approved vendor. Following the official color and style guide ensures your participation in the ceremony meets all university standards.

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