All participants must adhere to the following guidelines and wear appropriate University regalia at commencement. Michigan Tech allows for certain exceptions, such as religious clothing or military uniforms. For instance, it is perfectly appropriate for someone to wear a headscarf (hijab, niqab or burka), turban, skullcap or other customary religious headdress in place of the academic cap (or, in some cases, together with it). Other exceptions can be made for similarly religious or sacred items of dress.
Gowns feature distinct styles for Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degrees.
Associate’s Degree
Associate’s Degree candidates wear a solid black cap and gown. The gown has pointed sleeves and does not hang down. The caps come in one size fits most with an elastic back. The tassel color is gold.
Bachelor’s Degree
Bachelor’s Degree candidates wear a solid black cap and gown. The gown has pointed sleeves and does not hang down. The caps come in one size fits most with an elastic back. The tassel color is gold.
Master’s Degree
Master’s Degree candidates wear a solid black cap and gown and a hood. The gown has an oblong sleeve, open at the wrist, whose base hangs down in the traditional manner. The rear part of its oblong shape is square cut, and the front part has an arc cut away. The caps are one size fits most with an elastic back. The hood length is 3 ½ feet and is lined in the school colors of silver and gold. There is velvet trim on the front that is 3 inches wide and is a golden yellow for all masters degrees. The tassel color is gold.
PhD Degree
PhD Degree candidates wear a solid black tam and gown and a hood. The gown is faced down the front with PhD Blue velvet and three bars of velvet are used across the bell shaped sleeves. The tams are one size fits most with an elastic back. The hood length is 4 feet and is lined in the school colors of silver and gold. There is velvet trim on the front that is 5 inches wide. In the case of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, which is the only doctor-level degree issued by Michigan Tech, the dark blue color velvet is used to represent the mastery of the discipline of learning and scholarship in any field that is attested to by the awarding of this degree and is not intended to represent the field of philosophy. The tassel color is gold.
Faculty Participants
Faculty members participating in the commencement ceremony wear regalia based on the school they received their degree from. If faculty need to order regalia, orders may be placed through the Campus Store website.
Cords
Honor cords are issued to an undergraduate degree candidate based on the student’s GPA as determined by the University. The Campus Store will have a list of eligible candidates and the honor cords will be available upon pickup of regalia.
Student organizations recognized by the University will be allowed, as a group, to wear a cord or stole in the color of their choosing. The following cord colors are not to be used as they are reserved:
- Red, White and Blue (Veterans)
- Gold (Summa Cum Laude)
- Silver (Magna Cum Laude)
- Copper (Cum Laude)
- Black and Gold (University Athletes)
Each organization should purchase the cord/stole for all members walking, and not for individual recognition. These items must be ordered by the organization. Please plan to have cords/stoles ordered at least three weeks before the ceremony. Each organization will be responsible for purchasing, distributing, and collecting afterward (if desired) the cords/stoles.
For any questions regarding regalia, contact the Campus Store at 906-487-2410 or capandgown@mtu.edu.
For any questions regarding tickets, please visit commencement ticket page.