Commencement

Regalia and Accessories

As you prepare to cross the stage, you'll wear the traditional brown cap and gown required for Western Michigan University's commencement. Your tassel color will reflect the degree you're receiving, and master's, specialist's and doctoral degree candidates will also wear a hood representing their field of study.

Graduation regalia is more than just a tradition. Its origins date back to European universities in the 14th and 15th centuries and has been worn in the United States since it was standardized by an Intercollegiate Code in 1895. Academic dress continues to symbolize academic accomplishment and pride today.

Gowns, caps and tassels

Each gown has it's own distinguishing characteristics, indicated below. Caps are mortar boards with the tassel worn over the left front quadrant. The tassel's color indicates the academic program area. 

Western Michigan University also acknowledges that accessories worn with a graduation gown may signify milestones of success during a student's studies. WMU salutes graduates wearing cords, medals, pins, stoles and sashes. A list of officially recognized accessories can be found in the latest commencement program on the archive page.

Bachelor's

The bachelor's gown features long, pointed sleeves and is the simplest of the academic regalia styles. It represents the completion of an undergraduate degree.

Master's

The master's gown is distinguished by its oblong-shaped sleeves. Master's graduates wear a hood that is lined with college colors and a trim color indicating their field of study.

Doctoral

The doctoral gown is the most formal style, featuring bell-shaped sleeves, velvet trim on the front and collar, and three velvet bars on each sleeve. Doctors wear the largest and most elaborate hood lined with college colors and a trim color indicating their field of study. Doctors wear a plush velvet tam.

Specialist's

The specialist's gown features bell-shaped sleeves, similar to a doctoral gown, but without the decorative sleeve bars. Specialists wear a hood that is lined with college colors and a trim color indicating their field of study. Specialists wear a plush velvet tam.

Degree designation

Each degree program is assigned a traditional academic color that appears on commencement regalia, such as hoods and tassels. These color designations recognize your field of study and follow long-standing academic traditions.

  • Arts: White
  • Business Administration: Sapphire blue
  • Education: Light blue
  • Engineering: Orange
  • Fine Arts: Brown
  • Music: Pink
  • Nursing: Apricot
  • Science: Golden yellow
  • Social Work: Citron

  • Arts and Development Administration: White
  • Business Administration and Accountancy: Sapphire blue
  • Education: Light blue
  • Engineering: Orange
  • Fine Arts: Brown
  • Medicine: Green
  • Music: Pink
  • Nursing: Apricot
  • Public Administration: Peacock blue
  • Science: Golden yellow
  • Social Work: Citron

  • Audiology: Gray
  • Education: Light blue
  • Philosophy: Dark blue
  • Public Administration: Peacock blue

  • Education: Light blue