About Academic Regalia
Caps, Gowns, and Tassels
Graduates wear a gown and a cap, known as a mortarboard, with a tassel. Bachelor’s degree recipients wear black; associate degree, certificate, high school diploma, and GED recipients wear royal blue.
A cap and gown are required for all graduates participating in the commencement ceremony. Order your cap, gown, and regalia.
Stoles and Cords
Stoles and cords are optional. They are worn over the gown and signify membership in a specific group (such as international students, veterans, LGBTQ+), a specific honor (such as academic achievement, honor society, student leadership), a specific degree type (such as a Bachelor of Applied Science degree), a specific program (Seattle Promise, Running Start, TRiO), or an affinity group (ethnic, cultural, tribal).
Some of these items may be given out at your college’s Grad Fest or Spring Fest or other event. Check with the individual program or organization to see if they are offering a cord or stole this year. Cultural or affinity group stoles may be available from your college's Access, Community, and Opportunity (ACO) office.
The accordions below list the stole and cord colors and their corresponding groups, programs, honors, and degrees at Seattle Colleges.
Cords are decorative ropes with tassels. They are worn over the shoulders to signify academic, leadership, or organizational achievements or program or group membership. They acknowledge various honors or affiliation and are typically provided by the group or program represented. If you are a member, check with the individual program, group, or organization to see if they are offering a cord this year.
Cord Colors and Designations
| Color swatch | Color(s) | Achievement, Organization, Cultural or Affinity Group |
|---|---|---|
 | Black, Red | TRiO (Student Support Service, Talent Search, Upward Bound) |
 | Gold | Cumulative GPA of 3.5 and above (North) Note: Gold academic honor cords will be available the day of the commencement ceremony at the cap and gown assistance table on the concourse. Students meeting the above academic criteria may pick up their cord at that table before the ceremony. |
| Gold | Eta Sigma Delta Honor Society (Hospitality) |
 | Red | Running Start |
 | Red, Navy Blue | Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society |
 | Red, White, Blue | United States Military Veterans |
 | Turquoise | Seattle Promise |
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A stole is a decorative, scarf-like satin vestment worn over the shoulders with graduation gowns. Stoles symbolize achievement, organizational or program membership, and cultural identity or affinity.
Stole Colors and Designations
The following stoles may be worn to denote membership or achievement. Students may check with their college's Access, Community, and Opportunity (ACO) office for availability of some stoles, or they may purchase some of them online from Jostens or other vendors.
| Color swatch | Color | Achievement, Organization, Cultural or Affinity Group |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society |
 | Multicolor Pattern | Ethnic, Cultural, or Tribal Affinity |
 | Multicolor Pattern Based on a Flag | Identification with or Heritage of a Specific Country |
 | Multicolor Pattern Variant of Pride Flag | Identification with LGBTQ+ Community |
 | Purple | Member of College Student Leadership Team |
 | White | International Students |
Bachelor's Stoles
Students graduating with a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) may elect to wear a stole representing their achievement. The stole color is determined by the academic discipline outlined in the table below. These stoles may be purchased online from Jostens.
| Color swatch | Color | Degree Program |
|---|---|---|
 | Beige/Drab | Bachelor of Applied Science in Accounting with International Accounting (North) |
| Beige/Drab | Bachelor of Applied Science in International Business (North) |
| Beige/Drab | Bachelor of Applied Science in Residential and Commercial Property Management (North) |
| Beige/Drab | Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Management (South) |
 | Light Blue | Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Behavioral Science (Central) |
| Light Blue | Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education (North) |
 | Lilac | Bachelor of Applied Science in Allied Health – Dental Hygiene (Central) |
 | Salmon | Bachelor of Applied Science in Allied Health – Community Health and Education (Central) |
| Salmon | Bachelor of Applied Science in Allied Health – Health Care Services Management (Central) |
| Salmon | Bachelor of Applied Science in Allied Health – Respiratory Care (Central) |
 | Science Gold | Bachelor of Applied Science in Application Development (North) |
| Science Gold | Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Building Science Technology (South) |
| Science Gold | Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (North) |
Hoods
Faculty members and those who have completed master’s or doctoral degrees earn hoods. These hoods feature the colors of the faculty member's academic discipline as well as the colors of the universities that granted the degrees. Additionally, many of those with doctorates may have more elaborate caps and gowns.
