Regalia

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.