Academic Regalia

Academic Honors and Regalia

The colorful pageantry with academic regalia and the formal academic processional has been in use in the United States since colonial times and dates back, in some form, to be the mode of attire at the famous medieval universities of Europe. In 1895, the Intercollegiate Commission adopted a code of attire which, with minor revisions, has been adopted and used by about 95 percent of the colleges and universities in this country. The code provides for three types of black gowns. Those for bachelor’s degrees have long pointed sleeves. The master’s degree gown bears an oblong sleeve open at the wrist, and the doctor’s degree gown is made with bell-shaped sleeves. Additionally, the doctor’s degree gown is faced with velvet and has three velvet bars on each sleeve. The velvet is either black or a color that also trims the hood and denotes the department or faculty to which the degree pertains, for instance: white for arts, dark blue for philosophy, scarlet for theology, royal purple for law, pink for music, and light blue for education. The black Oxford or mortarboard-style cap is worn for all degrees and bears a gold tassel for doctorate degrees.

The most distinctive feature of academic garb is the hood. The doctorate degree, master’s degree, and bachelor’s degrees hoods are four, three and one-half, and three feet in length, respectively. Besides a velvet border in a color denoting the degree field, the hood is lined with silk in the color of the institution from which the degree was earned.

At Rockford University, the processional is divided into distinctive groupings. Emeriti faculty and the faculty are followed by trustees and administrative officers. The faculty process according to rank: professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and instructors. The length of service to this institution determines an individual’s position within a given rank. The president’s party normally enters last and departs first. This group includes the chair of the board of trustees, the president, the academic vice president, and a guest appropriate to the occasion (usually our keynote speaker.)

Bachelor’s degree candidates wear traditional academic regalia consisting of a black gown with straight, pointed sleeves and a mortarboard cap topped with a tassel. The gown’s simple silhouette reflects the undergraduate level of academic achievement. Degree candidates typically wear their tassels on the right before degrees are conferred and move them to the left afterward, symbolizing their transition from student to graduate.

Master’s degree candidates wear a black gown distinguished by its oblong, extended sleeves, which are the hallmark of graduate-level academic dress. In addition to the gown and mortarboard, Master’s degree candidates also wear an academic hood. The hood features the University’s colors on the lining, and a velvet trim whose color represents their specific field of study. This combination of colors and materials signifies advanced scholarship and the completion of graduate-level work.

Honors Societies

  • Phi Beta Kappa inducts students based on overall academic achievement
    • Light Blue and Pink
  • Eta Sigma Phi, the honor society for students of Latin and/or Greek
    • Purple and Gold
  • Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology
    • Platinum & dark blue
  • Phi Alpha Theta, the International History Honor Society
    • Red and Light Blue
  • Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society
    • Blue and White
  • Chi Alpha Sigma, recognizes students who exemplify high achievements in both athletics and academics
    • Gold & Black
  • Alpha Sigma Lambda, recognizes achievements made by adult students
    • Burgundy and Gold
  • Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) recognizes academic achievements made by first-generation college students. 
    • Blue and White (Jess)
  • Global Scholar recognizes academic and extracurricular activities designated as globally focused coursework.
    • Teal

Please note: The gown and mortar for a Bachelor’s Degree differ from those worn for a Master’s Degree. 

Tassel Colors

Bachelor of Arts – White

Bachelor of Fine Arts – Brown

Bachelor of Science – Gold

Bachelor of Science in Management Studies – Gold

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Apricot

Hood/Tassel Colors

Masters of Arts in Teaching – Blue

Master of Business Administration – Ecru                                                                             

Master of Education – Blue

Master of Arts in Sports Management and Leadership – Sage Green

Master of Science in Exercise Physiology – Golden Yellow

Master of Science in Data Science – Golden Yellow