Regalia and Announcements
Graduates must wear regalia if participating in the ceremony. The recommended dress code for under the regalia is business attire.
What Regalia to Purchase
Baccalaureate Candidates
Caps: Candidates for bachelor's degrees should purchase a blue mortarboard.
Gowns: Candidates for bachelor's degrees should purchase a blue gown with square sleeves.
Cords and Stoles: Candidates for bachelor's degrees may choose to purchase cords or stoles if the criteria for such items has been meet. Additional information and criteria are listed below. These items are optional.
Doctoral, Specialist and Master's Candidates
Caps: Doctoral candidates may purchase a black tam. Specialist and Masters candidates should purchase a black mortarboard.
Gowns: Doctoral candidates should purchase a black gown with a bell shaped sleeve and velvet bands. Master's and Specialist candidates should purchase a black gown with oblong sleeves.
Hoods: All Doctoral, Specialist and Master's candidates should purchase an appropriate hood according to the degree received. Hoods are trimmed with the colors of the institution and the color of your degree. Reference the color chart below.
Hood Color Chart
| Degree | Color | |
|---|---|---|
| D.N.P. | Doctor of Nursing Practice | Apricot |
| Ed.S. | Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology | Light Blue |
| M.A. | Master of Arts in History | White |
| M.A. | Master of Arts in History - Public History | White |
| M.B.A. | Master of Business Administration | Drab |
| M.E.P.D. | Master of Education in Professional Development | Light Blue |
| M.P.H. | Master of Public Health | Salmon Pink |
| M.S. | Master of Science in Athletic Training | Gold |
| M.S. | Master of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders | Silver |
| M.S. | Master of Science in Data Science | Gold |
| M.S. | Master of Science in Exercise Physiology | Gold |
| M.S. | Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology | Silver |
| M.S.E. | Master of Science in Education | Light Blue |
| M.S.N. | Master of Science in Nursing | Apricot |
Three Ways to Purchase Regalia
Online Ship to Campus
Pre-order on the and ship to the Bookstore for in-person pick-up. Pre-ordering is an option for students who don't want to pay for the regalia now but want to ensure they'll get the size they need. Select the “Pick up Cap and Gown at UWEC” option. Order deadline is October 13, 2025. Pickup regalia from 1-6 p.m. on November 12 in the University Bookstore.
Online Ship to Home
If you are unable to come to campus, visit the for a full selection of cap, gown, tassels, stoles, announcements and more. Please select the “Ship Cap and Gown to Home” option. Look for the “Cap & Gown” tab on their website. Regalia Order Deadline: November 24, 2025.
In The Bookstore
Beginning November 12, regalia will be available for purchase on campus from the University Bookstore. Items may be purchased as a full package or ala carte.
How to Wear Regalia
Cap and Tassel
- The mortarboard cap should be worn horizontally to the ground (not tipped in any direction), with the point of the cap in the middle of the forehead.
- Undergraduates wear the tassel on the right side of the cap until formal conferral during the ceremony.
- Doctoral, Master and Specialist degree candidates wear tassels on the left side at all times.
Hoods
- Doctoral, Master and Specialist degree candidates must purchase and bring their hoods for the formal hooding which occurs during the ceremony.
Cords and Stoles
- Undergraduates may choose to wear cords and/or stoles, if applicable.
- Doctoral, Master and Specialist degree candidates should not wear gold cords.
What to Wear Under Regalia
Dress comfortably. You will be at Commencement for about three hours. The event will be a combination of standing and sitting, so make sure you’re dressed comfortably enough for both. Graduates will walk on turf, up stairs, and down ramps. Business casual dress is recommended.
Don’t wear stilettos. Dress flats are recommended, but if you’re planning to wear heels, note that you cannot wear stilettos. You won’t be allowed to line up in the fieldhouse for commencement if you are wearing stiletto heels. Chunky heels and wedges are okay.
Don’t forget your regalia. Make sure you have your cap, gown, and tassel (and hood, for graduate students). Don’t wait until Commencement day to unwrap it. Take it out of the plastic, make sure you have everything, and hang it up to let some of the wrinkles fall out. (If you’re feeling ambitious, give it a steam.)
Types of Cords and Stoles
| Gold Cords: Academic Distinction (For baccalaureate candidates only.) Baccalaureate candidates may purchase a gold cord based on the following GPA's. Cum Laude (3.2), Magna Cum Laude (3.5), and Summa Cum Laude (3.8). Graduation with distinction is conferred at commencement exercises upon eligible students earning a first or second baccalaureate or associate degree. Eligibility is based on both the resident and the total GPAs as defined under Grade Point Requirements. A student must earn in both computations (resident and total GPAs) the minimum GPA required at each of the three levels of distinction listed below and a minimum of 30 credits in residence to be eligible. The announcement of graduation with distinction made at the commencement ceremony is based on all work completed prior to the student’s final semester; however, the actual conferral of graduation with distinction will be based on the student’s entire record, including the final semester. |
| Silver Cords: Honor Society Members Baccalaureate candidates who are members of a UW-Eau Claire recognized honor society can purchase and wear the silver cords. A list of UW-Eau Claire honor societies can be found on . |
| Blue, White and Black Cords: Resident Assistants The UW-Eau Claire Housing staff will provide cords to graduates who are RA's in our residence halls. Reach out to Deb Newman at housing@uwec.edu for additional information. |
| Green Cords: Excellence in Sustainability Honors Students must have accumulated a total of 10 points or more over the course of their undergraduate career, based on the criteria found on the SOS website. |
| Light Blue and Gold Cords: Cybersecurity Club Members who work to advance the club's mission in areas of cybersecurity research, growth, and competition may purchase a cord. Contact the club's vice president for eligibility details at cyberclub@uwec.edu. |
| Rainbow Cords: LGBTQIA+ Graduates The Gender & Sexuality Resource Center recognizes LGBTQIA+ graduates by providing Rainbow Cords and hosting a Walking OUT celebration. LGBTQIA+ students are invited to contact the GSRC for additional information. |
| Royal Blue and Silver Cords: Learning and Technology Services Student Employees Learning and Technology Services staff will provide cords to graduates who have worked in LTS and meet at least one eligibility criterion. Contact Kent Gerberich for additional details. |
| Royal Blue and White Cords: USCA Certification Interested students must submit an application and complete the requirements for the USCA Certification. Eligible students receive them at the Senior Celebration for the Marketing and Supply Chain Department. Contact Dr. Lenita Davis for further information. |
| Red, White and Blue Cords: Active Military or Veterans Reach out to Miranda Cross-Schindler for additional information. |
| Teal Cords: First Generation or First in Family Graduate Students who are the first in their family or first-generation graduates are identified by teal cords. Interested students must visit the Dean of Students office, located in 240 Schofield Hall, to self-identify and request cords. |
| Yellow and White Cords: McIntyre Library Student Employees The UW-Eau Claire McIntyre Library staff will provide cords to graduates who have worked in the McIntyre Library. Reach out to the director of the library at library@uwec.edu for more information. |
| International Stoles: International stoles can represent the country of origin for a student or the academic accomplishments of a student that has studied abroad. If you studied abroad, please consider purchasing a stole to represent that country. The following countries are available at the University Bookstore for purchase: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Poland, Puerto Rico, Scotland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, United States of America. If your country is not on this list, please contact the Bookstore for a special order option. |
| Stoles of Gratitude: A stole of gratitude can be purchased and worn during the commencement ceremony. After the ceremony, the new graduate presents the stole to someone who provided help or support during their college journey, like parents, relatives, or mentors who have helped with wisdom, words of support, or with financial assistance. |
| Student Athlete Stoles: Student athletes who positively represent the university in the classroom as well as in intercollegiate athletic competition could be eligible to wear this stole. Student athletes who appear on a UWEC varsity collegiate athletic roster for four or more seasons or who appear on a UWEC varsity collegiate athletic roster during the calendar year in which they graduate could qualify. Please contact the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics for additional information. |