Attire

Black Cap, Tassel, Black Gown

The cap is worn parallel to the floor. Associate’s and Undergraduates who have not yet earned a first degree wear the tassel forward and to the right. Tassel color is determined by the degree received.

During the ceremony, when directed by the chancellor, the tassel is moved to the left, signifying the conferring of the degree. The bachelor’s gown has pointed sleeves and is worn at UWM without the hood.

Visit the reuse and recycle regalia page for information about obtaining gently used regalia for commencement.

Apricot

• All Majors
  • School of Nursing

Blue Violet

• All Majors
  • School of Architecture & Urban Planning

Brown

• All Majors
  • Peck School of the Arts

Citron

• All Majors
  • Helen Bader School of Social Welfare

Crimson

• Digital Arts & Cultures Majors
• Journalism, Advertising & Media Studies Majors

Dark Blue

• Philosophy Majors

Drab

• All Majors
  • Sheldon B. Lubar College of Business

Gold

• All Majors
  • School of Biomedical Sciences & Health Care Administration
  • School of Freshwater Sciences
  • School of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology
• Science & Mathematics Majors

Light Blue

• All Majors
  • School of Education

Orange

• All Majors
  • College of Engineering & Applied Science
  • School of Information Studies

Salmon

• All Majors
  • Joseph J. Zilber College of Public Health

White

• Humanities & Social Sciences Majors

Black Cap, Black Tassel, Black Gown, Hood

The black tassel on the master’s cap is worn to the left, signifying the possession of an academic degree. The master’s gown is designed with oblong sleeves, open at the wrist. The rear part of its oblong shape is square-cut and the front part has an arc cutaway. The hood hangs to the rear from the neck and may be fastened to the gown using either safety pins or Velcro.

The field of study is indicated by the color of the velvet on the facing of the hood. To avoid wearing the hood inside out, care should be taken that the velvet facing is visible under the chin and lies flat over the shoulders.

Visit the reuse and recycle regalia page for information about obtaining gently used regalia for commencement.

Apricot

• Master of Science in Nursing

Blue Violet

• Master of Architecture
• Master of Science in Architecture
• Master of Urban Design
• Master of Urban Planning

Brown

• Master of Arts in Art
• Master of Fine Arts in Art
• Master of Fine Arts in Dance
• Master of Fine Arts in Cinematic Arts
• Master of Science in Art Education

Citron

• Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology
• Master of Social Work

Drab

• Master of Science in Digital Supply Chain Management
• Master of Business Administration in Executive MBA
• Master of Science in Information Technology Management
• Master of Science in Management

Gold

• Full List of Gold Programs

Light Blue

• Master of Science in Administrative Leadership
• Master of Science in Cultural Foundations of Community Engagement & Education
• Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction
• Master of Science in Educational Psychology
• Master of Science in Exceptional Education
• Education Specialist in School Psychology

Orange

• Master of Science in Computer Science
• Master of Science in Connected Systems Engineering
• Master of Science in Engineering

Peacock

• Master of Human Resources & Labor Relations
• Master of Public Administration

Pink

• Master of Music

Royal Blue

• Master of Arts in Philosophy

Salmon

• Master of Public Health
• Master of Science in Kinesiology

White

• Full List of White Programs

Black Tam, Gold Tassel, Black Gown, Doctorate Hood

The gold tassel is worn to the left, signifying the possession of an academic degree. The doctor’s gown has voluminous sleeves with three velvet chevrons, and velvet facing down the front openings of the gown. As in the master’s hood, the velvet facing should be visible under the chin and should lie flat over the shoulders. It can be attached to the gown using the loop to loop to a button or by using safety pins or Velcro.

Visit the reuse and recycle regalia page for information about obtaining gently used regalia for commencement.

Apricot Velvet

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Citron Velvet

• Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

Gold Velvet

• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
• Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Royal Blue Velvet

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)