Commencement Regalia
Tassels and Hoods
Undergraduates wear tassels on the right until their degree is conferred. Graduate students should wear tassels on the left.
For bachelor's degrees, the color of the tassel indicates the program of study.
The hood color specifies the area of study for the graduate degrees.
Undergraduate Tassel Colors
Explanation of Degrees
| Bachelor of Science - B.S. | Bachelor of Arts - B.A. |
| Bachelor of Music - B.Mus. | Bachelor of Fine Arts - B.F.A. |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing - B.S.N. | Associate of Applied Science - A.A.S. |
College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences
- B.S. in Agribusiness Economics - Gold
- B.S. in Agricultural Systems and Education - Gold
- B.S. in Animal Science - Gold
- B.S. in Biological Sciences - Gold
- B.S. or B.A. in Chemistry and Biochemistry - Gold
- B.S. in Crop, Soil, and Environmental Management - Gold
- B.S. in Fermentation Science - Gold
- B.S. in Forestry - Gold
- B.S. and B.A. in Geology - Gold
- B.S. in Horticulture - Gold
- B.S. in Microbiology - Gold
- B.S. in Physics - Gold
- B.S. in Physiology - Gold
- B.S. and B.A. in Plant Biology - Gold
- B.S. and B.A. in Zoology - Gold
College of Arts and Media
- B.S. in Architectural Studies - Brown
- B.A. or B.F.A. in Art and Design - Brown
- B.A. in Cinema - Brown
- B.S. in Fashion Studies - Brown
- B.S. in Interior Design - White
- B.S. in Journalism - Crimson
- B.A. or B.Mus. in Music - Pink
- B.A. or B.F.A. in Musical Theater - Pink
- B.A. in Radio, Television, and Digital Media - Rhoades Blue
- B.A. in Theater - Brown
College of Business and Analytics
- B.S. in Accounting - Drab
- B.S. in Agrobusiness Economics - Gold
- B.S. in Business Analytics - Drab
- B.S. in Business and Administration - Drab
- B.A. in Economics - Copper
- B.S. in Finance - Drab
- B.S. in Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management - Navy
- B.S. in Management - Drab
- B.S. in Marketing - Drab
- B.S. in Quantitative Economics - Copper
College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics
- B.S. in Biomedical Engineering - Orange
- B.S. in Civil Engineering - Orange
- B.S. in Computer Engineering - Orange
- B.S. or B.A. in Computer Science - Orange
- B.S. in Electrical Engineering - Orange
- B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology - Orange
- B.S. in Industrial Management and Applied Engineering - Orange
- B.S. in Information Technology - Orange
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering - Orange
College of Health and Human Sciences
- B.S. in Automotive Technology - Orange
- A.A.S. in Aviation Flight - Orange
- B.S. in Aviation Management - Orange
- B.S. in Aviation Technologies - Orange
- B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice - Gold
- B.S. in Dental Hygiene - Lilac
- B.S. in Exercise Science - Sage Green
- B.S. in Health Care Management - Sage Green
- B.S. in Human Nutrition and Dietetics - Apricot
- B.S. in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service - Sage Green
- B.S. or B.S.N. in Nursing - Apricot
- B.S. in Paralegal Studies - Purple
- B.A. in Psychology - Gold
- B.S. in Public Health - Salmon Pink
- B.S. in Public Safety Management - Gold
- B.S. in Radiologic Sciences - Sage Green
- B.S. in Recreation Professions - Sage Green
- B.S. in Rehabilitation Services - Sage Green
- B.S. in Social Work - Citron
- B.S. in Sport Administration - Sage Green
College of Liberal Arts
- B.A. in Africana Studies - White
- B.A. in Anthropology - Gold
- B.S. in Communication Studies - Crimson
- B.A. in English - White
- B.A. in History - White
- B.A. in Languages, Culture, and International Studies - White
- B.A. in Linguistics - White
- B.A. in Philosophy - Royal Blue
- B.A. in Political Science - Royal Blue
- B.A. in Sociology - White
- B.S. and B.A. in University Studies - White
School of Education
- B.S. in Child and Family Services - Light Blue
- B.S. in Early Childhood Education - Light Blue
- B.S. in Elementary Education - Light Blue
- B.S. in Special Education - Light Blue
- B.S. in Biological Sciences Education - Light Blue
- B.S. in Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development - Light Blue
- B.S. in English - Light Blue
- B.S. in German with Teaching License - Light Blue
- B.S. in History with Teaching License - Light Blue
- B.S. in Mathematics with Teaching License - Light Blue
- B.S. in Spanish with Teaching License - Light Blue
Master's Hood Colors
Explanation of Degrees
| Master of Accountancy - M.Acc. | Master of Music - M.M. |
| Master of Architecture - M.Arch. | Master of Public Administration - M.P.A. |
| Master of Arts - M.A. | Master of Public Health - M.P.H. |
| Master of Arts in Teaching - M.A.T. | Master of Science - M.S. |
| Master of Business Administration - M.B.A. | Master of Science in Education - M.S.Ed. |
| Master of Engineering - M.E. | Master of Science in Physician Assistant - M.S.P.A. |
| Master of Fine Arts - M.F.A. | Master of Social Work - M.S.W. |
| Master of Health Administration - M.H.A. | Professional Science Masters - P.S.M. |
| Master of Health Informatics - M.H.I. |
College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences
- M.S. in Agribusiness Economics - Gold
- M.S. in Animal Science - Gold
- M.S. in Biological Sciences/MedPrep - Gold
- M.S. in Chemistry - Gold
- M.S. in Forestry - Gold
- M.A. or M.S in Geography and Environmental Resources - Gold
- M.S. in Geology - Gold
- M.S. in Molecular Biology, Microbiology & Biochemistry - Gold
- M.S. in Physics - Gold
- M.S. in Plant Biology - Gold
- M.S. in Plant, Soil and Agricultural Systems - Gold
- M.S. and P.S.M. in Zoology - Gold
College of Arts and Media
- M.Arch in Architecture - Brown
- M.F.A. in Art and Design - Brown
- M.F.A. in Mass Communication and Media Arts - Brown
- M.A. in Media Theory and Research - Rhoades Blue
- M.M. in Music - Pink
- M.S. in Professional Media and Media Management Studies - Rhoades Blue
- M.F.A. in Theater - Brown
College of Business and Analytics
- M.Acc. in Accounting - Drab
- M.B.A. in Business Administration - Drab
- M.S. in Business Analytics - Drab
- M.A. or M.S in Economics - Copper
- M.P.A. in Public Administration - Drab
College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics
- M.E. or M.S. in Biomedical Engineering - Orange
- M.E. or M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering - Orange
- M.S. in Computer Science - Orange
- M.S. in Cybersecurity and Cyber Systems - Orange
- M.E. or M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering - Orange
- M.A. or M.S. in Mathematics - Orange
- M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes - Orange
- M.S. in Quality Engineering and Management - Orange
College of Health and Human Sciences
- M.S. in Aviation Management - Orange
- M.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy - Sage Green
- M.S. in Counseling and Rehabilitation Education - Sage Green
- M.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice - Gold
- M.H.A. in Health Administration - Sage Green
- M.H.I. in Health Informatics - Sage Green
- M.S. in Human Sciences - Gold
- M.S. in Medical Dosimetry - Gold
- M.A. or M.S. in Psychology - Gold
- M.P.H. in Public Health - Salmon Pink
- M.S. in Public Safety Administration - Gold
- M.S. in Radiologic Sciences - Sage Green
- M.S.W. in Social Work - Citron
College of Liberal Arts
- M.A. in Anthropology - Gold
- M.A. in Communication Studies - Crimson
- M.F.A. in Creative Writing - Brown
- M.A. in English - White
- M.A. in History - White
- M.A. in Linguistics - White
- M.A. in Philosophy - Dark Blue
- M.A. in Political Science - Dark Blue
- M.A. in Sociology - White
- M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - White
School of Education
- M.S.Ed. or M.A.T. in Curriculum and Instruction - Light Blue
- M.S.Ed. in Educational Administration - Light Blue
- M.S.Ed. in Higher Education - Light Blue
- M.S.Ed. in Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development - Light Blue
School of Medicine
- M.S. in Biomedical Science - Gold
- M.S. in Molecular, Cellular, and Systemic Physiology - Gold
- M.S. in Molecular Biology, Microbiology & Biochemistry - Gold
- M.S. in Pharmacology and Neuroscience - Gold
- M.S.P.A. in Physician Assistant - Kelly Green
Doctoral Hood Colors
Explanation of Degrees
| Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D. | Doctor of Education, Ed.D. |
| Doctor of Medical Science, D.M.Sc. | Occupational Therapy Doctorate, O.T.D |
College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences
All dark blue; Ph.D. in:
- Agricultural Sciences
- Applied Physics
- Chemistry
- Environmental Resources & Policy
- Geosciences
- Molecular Biology, Microbiology & Biochemistry
- Plant Biology
- Zoology
College of Arts and Design
- Ph.D. in Mass Communication and Media Arts - Dark Blue
College of Business Analytics
All dark blue; Ph.D. in:
- Business Administration
- Computer Science
- Economics
College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics
All dark blue; Ph.D. in:
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Engineering Science
- Mathematics
College of Health and Human Sciences
- O.T.D. in Occupational Therapy - Slate Blue
All dark blue: Ph.D. in:
- Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Population Health
- Psychology
- Rehabilitation
College of Liberal Arts
All dark blue; Ph.D. in:
- Anthropology
- Communication Studies
- English
- Historical Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Sociology
School of Education
- Ph.D. in Education,Curriculum and Instruction - Dark Blue
- Ed.D. or Ph.D. in Education, Educational Administration - Light Blue, Dark Blue
- Ph.D in Education, Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development - Dark Blue
School of Medicine
- Ph.D in Pharmacology and Neuroscience - Dark Blue
- D.M.Sc in Physician Assistant - Kelly Green
Stoles and Cords
Students are welcome to wear honor, organization or other affiliation stoles; however, SIU stoles and cords should be displayed above all others. Undergraduates who rent regalia from the University Bookstore or online through Herff Jones will receive a maroon "stole of gratitude", to be worn at Commencement. After Commencement, according to tradition, the stole is then presented by the graduate to someone who has provided help or support to them while they earned their degree.
Latin honors medallions, University Honors Program cords, military cords, and athlete cords are awarded at the Academic Excellence ceremony before Commencement. They can also be picked up at the Banterra Center on the day of Commencement.
University Events and Protocol only provides the medallions and cords listed above. For information about other stoles or cords, please contact the organization or affinity group directly.
How to Wear Regalia
Herff Jones Regalia has instructional videos on how to wear your cap, gown, and hoods.
Active Military, Police Officers and Firefighters
SIU permits active duty military, police officers and firefighters to wear their dress uniforms instead of traditional cap and gown regalia.
Where do I return my regalia?
Regalia shipped to home will have a prepaid return label, and should not be returned to the University Bookstore. Gowns picked up at the University Bookstore can be returned at the Banterra Center or to the University Bookstore the week after Commencement.
Undergraduates must return the gown. Graduate students must return the gown and hood. The cap, tassel, and stole (undergraduates only) are yours to keep.