Regalia

Students receiving graduate degrees are expected to wear a hood representing both the institution granting the degree and the degree granted.

Retainable regalia, as opposed to rental regalia, will be available to all students. Caps, gowns, and hoods, therefore, will be yours to keep and need not be returned at the end of the day. Retainable gowns are made of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, using “GreenWeaver” technology developed by Oak Hall Industries of Salem, Virginia.

Please note that all retainable robes are black and that retainable gowns and hoods are intended for relatively limited use. Degree candidates who wish to purchase custom Yale regalia (i.e., “Yale blue” doctoral or master’s gown, faille hood, doctoral tam, or cap) may order directly from the Customs Department of Oak Hall Industries by calling 1-800-223-0429. Please note that “Yale blue” gowns are not available through the student Cap & Gown Agency

If students miss the April 10 deadline, a minimal number of extra caps, gowns, and hoods will be available during regalia distribution. All extras will be on a first-come, first-served basis. At that time, an additional $10.00 late fee will be added to the attire cost. Only credit card payments will be accepted.

There will be a very limited number of extra caps, gowns, and hoods available during regalia distribution.  All extras will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

The regalia distribution schedule for Commencement 2025 will be posted at a later date. 

If you are unable to pick up your attire at the times above, please make arrangements for someone else to pick it up for you. The person picking up your attire must present a Yale I.D. or other valid identification, as well as a signed note from you authorizing pick-up of your order.

The following academic attire may be worn on appropriate occasions by holders of degrees from Yale University. When blue material is used, it must be the shade known as “Yale blue,” preserved in the Office of the Secretary of Yale University. “Yale blue” gowns and hoods may not be made without having the color and style approved by the University Secretary.

Yale University Degree Colors

Liberal Arts (B.A., M.A.) — white
Science (B.S., M.S.) — gold-yellow
Architecture — blue-violet
Art and Drama — brown
Divinity — scarlet
Forestry — russet
Law — purple
Management — sapphire blue
Medicine — green
Music — pink
Nursing — apricot
Public Health — salmon pink
Engineering — orange

The color for Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy degrees, regardless of department, is dark blue.

Hoods

Material—the same as that of the gown
Color—black, lined with “Yale blue” material; anterior edge trim is color of degree
Length—three feet long for bachelor’s degree, three and one-half feet long for master’s degree, four feet long with side panels for doctor’s degree
Trim—anterior edge bound in velvet two, three, or five inches wide representing, respectively, bachelor’s, master’s or doctor’s degree

Caps

The cap for all degrees is a mortarboard of black cloth. The tassel is either black or degree color. The doctor’s tassel may be of gold thread or gold metal. In use, the tassel remains on the left side.

Gowns

Please note that “Yale blue” custom gowns are available for purchase only. All rented and retainable gowns provided by the Cap and Gown Agency are black.

Bachelor’s degree—black, untrimmed, with open, pointed sleeves
Master’s degree—black or blue, untrimmed, with oblong sleeves open at wrist
Doctor’s degree—black or blue with velvet facing, bell sleeves, three velvet bars on each sleeve. If the gown is black, the facing and bars are usually black, but may be the degree color. If the gown is blue, the facing and bars must be black.

Use of Doctoral Gowns

Ph.D., M.D., D.F.A. D.M.A., or Dr.P.H..—black or “Yale blue” doctor’s gown with appropriate doctor’s hood. Cap tassel may be gold or degree color.
J.S.D..—black or “Yale blue” doctor’s gown with appropriate doctor’s hood. Cap tassel may be gold or purple. Recipients who took their prior professional degree at an institution other than Yale may wear a black doctor’s gown or a gown suitable to that institution.
LL.M., S.T.M.—black or “Yale blue” doctor’s gown with appropriate master’s hood. Cap tassel may be black or degree color. Recipients who took their prior professional degree at an institution other than Yale may wear a black doctor’s gown or a gown suitable to that
institution.
M.ARCH., M.DIV., M.F.A., J.D. —black or “Yale blue” doctor’s gown with appropriate master’s hood. Cap tassel may be black or degree color.