Collection: Academic Hoods - Bachelors, Masters, Doctoral Graduation Hoods

Academic Hoods Explained – Everything That You Need To Know!

Whether you’re grad student about to graduate, or you’re interested in purchasing academic hoods for your faculty, it’s important to understand the basics about academic hoods, and how they are used to define the specialty, education, field of study, and other information about the wearer.

The subject of academic hoods and graduation hoods can be quite complex. So we’ve broken down everything you need to know in the following article. Take a look now, and get all the information you need about academic hoods.

Understanding Academic Hoods – The Four Parts Of An Academic Hood

Modern academic hoods typically comprise four different, distinct components, as follows:

• The shell fabric (exterior of the hood)
• The velvet edge, which runs along the edge of the shell fabric
• The satin field (or “lining), which makes up the interior shell of the hood
• A chevron is used to divide the colors of the satin field, if necessary (due to school colors, earning of two degrees, etc.)

We will discuss all of these components in-turn, so that you have a full understanding of academic hoods, and how they are designed.

The Velvet Edge Trim – Choosing A Color

The trim of an academic hood is, arguably, the most important component of its design. The velvet edge of the hood is what represents your specific degree or discipline. Depending on the field in which you study, a different edge color will be required. Below is a list of some of the most common fields of study, and the associated colors of velvet trim:

This is only for reference. While this is the official academic regalia hood color list, your school and educational institutions are responsible for deciding what colors will be used in your hood. Make sure to confer with the appropriate personnel at your school, to make sure you get the proper velvet edge trim.

The length of the velvet edge trim is also important. The length should be:

• 2 inches for a bachelor’s degree
• 3 inches for a master’s degree
• 5 inches for a doctoral degree

Only one color of trim can be used. If you have multiple degrees, you must use the hood and color that represents your highest ranking degree, with Doctoral degrees as the highest, followed by masters, Bachelors, and Associate.

If you have two equal, but different degrees – a Masters in both Engineering and City Planning, for example, you would use the degree which was awarded to you the most recently.

Hood Shell Color

The hood shell color is almost always black. This is the traditional color of an academic hood and graduation hood, as the rest of the academic dress for master’s and doctoral students is black.

In rare cases, this may be different. However, it is very unlikely – so we recommend ordering your hood with a black hood shell color, unless you have specifically been told to do otherwise.

Interior Lining Color And Chevron

The interior lining color of a graduation hood can have a bit of variation, depending on the college or university that is issuing the degree. Typically, the hood is lined with the official color/colors of the college that is issuing the degree.

One solid color is the most common. However, if multiple colors are used – for a school both blue and gold official colors, for example – a chevron pattern is used to divide each color.

Again, your academic institution will have the appropriate guidelines on file, so make sure to inquire and get the details about what’s expected of your academic hood, and how it should be designed.

Understanding Hood Shape – And What It Means

The shape of a hood is also important for academic regalia. Different levels of education require a differently shaped and sized hood.

• Associate’s degree – A hood is not used for associates degrees. Instead, a special cowl is used, if traditional mortarboard hats are not used at the graduation ceremony.

• Bachelor's degree – A hood for a bachelor’s degree is relatively short. The hood is three feet in length.

• Master’s degree – The hood for master’s degree is more sharply-pointed than that for a bachelor’s, and must have a length of 3.5 feet.

• Doctoral degree – The doctoral hood is even more pointed and sharp, compared to the master’s hood, and must have a length of 4 feet.

Purchasing Academic Hoods And Graduation Hoods – What You Need To Know

 According to the Academic Costume Code and Academic Ceremony Guide, each academic costume company has complete records of approved colors for each college and educational institution – but this is no longer the case.

Because there are so many colleges all around the country and many new degrees and fields of study being developed, it’s difficult for wholesalers like us to keep up. Each school has their different practices for academic regalia design, colors, and other specifics, we cannot guarantee that you will get the proper hood – unless you make sure to review your own academic policies.

 But, as a direct manufacturer of academic regalia, we are the best choice for graduation hoods and academic hoods. We can create custom hoods based on the requirements of your school – at a much lower cost than our competitors.

However, before you place your order for academic regalia, it’s important to do the following things.

1. Make sure you clearly understand your school’s policy about academic dress, colors for hood trimmings and linings, chevrons, and other such details about the hood
2. If a tam or mortarboard is worn by the graduates
3. Whether a six-sided or eight-sided tam is used (if applicable)
4. Whether the standard black is used for the gown and hood shell, or if another color is used
5. Whether there is an embroidered symbol placed on the gown velvet (which is rare, but still done at some schools)
6. If there are any special aspects of the hood and regalia which are not covered by these above questions

Typically, if you have questions about academic regalia, you may ask them at your university bookstore. As this is where regalia is typically purchased, they will have the details about regulations and requirements for academic dress.

Shop Now – And Save

Whether you’re interested in purchasing your own robe and graduation hood for a discount – compared to the price from your university bookstore – or you’re a faculty member at a major college or university, and are looking for an inexpensive, reliable supplier of academic regalia, Graduation Cap and Gown is an ideal choice for bachelors, masters and doctoral hoods.

Start shopping our selection of academic hoods and graduation regalia now, and see how much you can save by ordering directly from a wholesale manufacturer.