Academic Apparel at Duke
All graduates should wear full academic apparel—tassel, cap, hood, and gown— for the university-wide Commencement ceremony.
For the baccalaureate service, graduates should wear their cap, gown, and tassel, but not the hood.
The style and color of your regalia depend on your degree. For example, if you graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree, you wear a navy bachelor’s gown, hood with white trim, mortarboard, and black tassel.
Refer to the Hood and Tassel Colors table below for details.
Ordering Your Regalia
The deadline for students to order regalia has passed. If you have any questions about your order or need assistance, please contact academicapparel@duke.edu.
Pricing information for apparel is below.
Undergraduate
| 2025 – 2026 | Bachelor’s, Trinity | Bachelor’s, Pratt |
|---|---|---|
| Rent or Purchase Option? | Purchase Only | Purchase Only |
| Tam or Mortarboard? | Mortarboard | Mortarboard |
| Tassel Color | Black | Orange |
| Gown | Navy Bachelor’s Gown | Navy Bachelor’s Gown |
| Hood Color | Depends on degree | Orange |
| Cost of Complete Apparel | $80 + tax | $80 + tax |
Graduate & PhD
| 2025 – 2026 | Master’s | Doctoral | PhD | All Law Degrees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent or Purchase Option? | Purchase Only | Rental or Purchase | Rental or Purchase | Rental or Purchase |
| Tam or Mortarboard? | Mortarboard | Velvet Tam | Velvet Tam | Tam |
| Tassel Color | Depends on Degree | Depends on Degree | Gold | Purple |
| Gown | Navy Master’s Gown | Black Doctoral Gown with Colored Velvet Trim | Custom Duke Blue | Black Doctoral with Purple Velvet Trim |
| Hood Color | Depends on Degree | Depends on Degree | Dark Blue | Purple Trim |
| Cost of Complete Apparel | $85 + Tax | $90 + Tax for Rental | $90 + Tax for Rental, Blue Doctoral Purchase: $1350.00 + Tax ; Black Doctoral Purchase: $1225.00 + Tax | $90 + Tax for Rental |
Apparel Pick Up
You may pick up your apparel during the following dates and times. Please note, that apparel pickup will be closed on Sunday, May 3.
| Apparel Pick Up (located in the Bryan Center, Brown Gallery) |
|
| Monday, April 27 – Saturday, May 2 | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Sunday, May 3 | Closed |
| Monday, May 4 – Saturday, May 9 | 9 AM – 5 PM |
Graduate Rental Returns
| Apparel Returns (located in the Bryan Center, Brown Gallery) |
|
| Sunday, May 10 | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Monday, May 11 | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Tuesday, May 12 | 9 AM – 5 PM |
Protocol and Fit
Gown Length
Your gown should fall midway between your knee and ankle.
Hoods
Wear the hood that corresponds to the degree you are receiving at the Commencement ceremony. If you earn more than one degree in the same term, wear the gown and hood for your highest degree and drape the other hood over your left arm.
Adornments
Adornments, including stoles, that reflect academic achievement may be considered for approval. All adornments should be tasteful and appropriate for a ceremonial occasion. Non-academic adornments are not permitted. Please email the Office of the President if you have questions about what is considered appropriate.
Hood and Tassel Colors
| Degree | Hood and Tassel Color |
|---|---|
| Doctor of Philosophy | Dark Blue |
| Master of Science | Yellow |
| Master of Arts | White |
| Master of Fine Arts | Brown |
| Doctor of Medicine | Green |
| Doctor of Physical Therapy | Teal |
| Doctor of Occupational Therapy | Rhodes Blue |
| Medicine, Master’s Programs | Yellow |
| Law | Purple |
| Divinity | Scarlet |
| Nursing | Apricot |
| Fuqua | Drab |
| Nicholas | Russet |
| Sanford | White |
| Pratt | Orange |
| Trinity, Bachelor of Arts | White and Black |
| Trinity, Bachelor of Science | Yellow and Black |