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Academic Regalia
The pageantry of commencement is a time-honored ritual dating back to ecclesiastical observances
of the 12th and 13th centuries. Hence, today’s academic raiment owes its origins to clerical garb
designed to impart dignity to solemn, scholarly occasions.
The basis for the standardization of the various features of the American regalia was formed at a
special intercollegiate conference held in 1895 at Columbia University. Three types of gowns are
indicated by the code.
• Bachelor’s gowns have long, bell-shaped sleeves.
• Master’s gowns have oblong sleeves which drape gracefully below the knees and are
open at the wrist.
• Doctoral gowns are faced with black velvet, with three bars of velvet across the
bell-shaped sleeves.
Hoods worn by master’s and doctoral graduates are made of material identical to the gowns and
are lined in the official academic color of the institution conferring the degree. Colored velvet or
velveteen binds the hoods and indicates the department to which the degree pertains. The color
of the tassel denotes the wearer’s field of academic specialization, except for the doctoral degree
earner, who wears either gold or black.
Undergraduate colors
College of Arts and Sciences White
College of Business Drab
College of Education and Human Services Light blue
College of Engineering Technology Orange
College of Health Professions Bright green
Master's colors
College of Business Drab
College of Education and Human Services – Criminal Justice Gold
College of Education and Human Services – Education Light blue
College of Health Professions – Nursing Apricot
Doctorate colors
College of Pharmacy Olive green
Michigan College of Optometry Sea foam green
Doctorate in Community College Leadership Light blue
Certification of Graduation
Commencement is not a certification of graduation but rather a ceremony that celebrates academic
achievements. Therefore, participation in any Commencement ceremony does not affirm that the
graduate has satisfactorily completed all degree requirements. Degrees presented at Ferris State
University Commencement ceremonies are subject to the satisfactory completion of the specific
requirements of the individual degree programs of the colleges and University.
Graduates must submit their clearance form to their college’s Commencement Coordinator at
least 12 weeks prior to the ceremony in which they plan to participate or their names will not
appear in the Commencement program. In order to have the program printed and back in
time for the ceremonies, we must adhere to these deadlines. Graduates who have missed the
deadline may ask their colleges' Commencement Coordinator to place their names in the next
Commencement’s program.
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