Ceremony Attire

Academic regalia are the traditional dress for degree candidates and faculty participating in a Commencement ceremony.

Academic regalia (caps and gowns) is required for all degree candidates participating in Commencement. Degree candidates who register to attend Commencement will a confirmation message containing a link with instructions for purchasing regalia through Herff-Jones, the authorized regalia vendor. The last day to order regalia is April 30. 

sustainability

Greening Commencement

All degree candidate caps and gowns are made from 100% recycled materials. For every gown manufactured, 29 bottles are saved from the landfill.

Information & Guidelines

The set below is customized for Towson University graduates. It consists of a black mortarboard style cap and tassel, a black gown with the university seal and gold-trimmed sleeves.

As an alternative to purchasing regalia, bachelor's candidates may contact the  for approval to wear regalia you have borrowed from a recent graduate. 

The set below is customized for Towson University graduates. It consists of a black mortarboard style cap and tassel, a black gown with the university seal and gold-trimmed sleeves indicating graduate-level Master’s work, and an over-the-head hood with a velvet-like border indicating the degree awarded (see the Hood Degree Color Chart).

As an alternative to purchasing regalia, bachelor's and master's candidates may contact the  for approval to wear regalia you have borrowed from a recent graduate. 

The set below is customized for rental by Towson University doctoral candidates. The Office of Graduate Studies provides each degree candidate with an over-the-head hood with a velvet-like border indicating the degree awarded (see the Hood Degree Color Chart).

Doctoral students who wish to purchase a custom doctoral gown and tam must place an order with the six weeks before the ceremony. 

Degree candidates who will joined a branch of the United State's military as a commissioned officer may wear the formal military attire. Degree candidates choosing to wear military attire must contact the  for approval.

Cap or gown decorations must be generally flat and cannot extend beyond the border of the cap.

Decorations that are motivated by animosity against a person or group because of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, national origin, or homelessness, or which infringe on the rights and freedom of others will not be tolerated. Examples include: profanity, symbols for or references to alcohol or controlled substances, and hate speech.

A universal tip for all graduates is to take your cap and gown out of the package a few days prior to the ceremony to allow the wrinkles from packaging to fall. For perfect pictures, we encourage graduates to go the extra mile and low heat iron or steam their gown prior to ceremony day.

Most degree candidates wear business professional or business casual attire under their gowns. Because candidates may walk long distances to and from the ceremony, we also recommend that you wear comfortable shoes. Gowns must remained completely zipped for the duration of the ceremony.

Gown

  • Master's and bachelor's candidates wear a black, mid-calf gown with the university seal embroidered on the lapel. 
  • Appropriate business or business casual attire must be worn beneath the regalia. Shorts and tennis shoes are discouraged unless needed for mobility reasons. 

Cap & Tassel

  • Master's and baccalaureate candidates wear the black mortar board (cap) designated by the university. The caps are elasticized--one-size fits all.
  • The mortar board should be worn with the front point over the forehead below the front hairline, so the flat board is parallel to the floor. The cap is not worn on the back of the head with the board pointing upward.
  • Baccalaureate candidates traditionally wear the tassel on the right side of the mortar board until the regent formally confers the degrees upon the graduates during the ceremony. Master's candidates wear the tassel on the left side prior to degree conferral.

Degree Hood

  • Degree hoods are worn only by master's and doctoral candidates.
  • The degree level, as specified by the Academic Costume Code, determines hood dimensions. The gold and white satin lining represents Towson University colors. The velvet band color on the front of the hood signifies the degree earned.