About Yale Academic Regalia
Yale University uses a distinctive and traditional system of academic dress. All regalia made in blue must use the exact shade known as “Yale blue,” preserved by the Office of the Secretary. Approval is required before producing any “Yale blue” gown or hood.
Degree Colors
Field of Study — Color Used on Hood Trim
- Liberal Arts (B.A., M.A.) — White
- Science (B.S., M.S.) — Gold-Yellow
- Architecture — Blue-Violet
- Art & Drama — Brown
- Divinity — Scarlet
- Environment— Russet
- Global Affairs — Peacock Blue
- Law — Purple
- Management — Sapphire Blue
- Medicine — Green
- Music — Pink
- Nursing — Apricot
- Public Health — Salmon Pink
- Engineering — Orange
- Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy degrees: Dark Blue (regardless of department)
Hoods
Material: Same fabric as gown
Exterior Color: Black
Lining: “Yale blue”
Trim: Velvet in degree color
Length by Degree: Master’s: 3.5 ft, Doctoral: 4 ft with side panels
Velvet Width: Master’s: 3 in, Doctoral: 5 in
Caps
Standard Cap: Black cloth mortarboard (worn by all degrees except Law School graduates and M.D. graduates)
Tams
- Standard tam: Black
- Law School: All graduates must wear a tam
- School of Medicine: Only M.D. graduates wear a tam
Tassels
- May be black or degree color
- Tassels are worn on the left side
Gowns
Bachelor’s
- Black, untrimmed, with open, pointed sleeves
Master’s
- Black or Yale Blue, untrimmed, with oblong sleeves open at wrist
Doctoral
- Black or Yale Blue with velvet facing, bell sleeves, three velvet bars on each sleeve. If the gown is blue, facings and bars must be black. If the gown is black, facings and bars may be black or degree color.
Certificates
- Students earning a certificate will wear the bachelor’s gown.
Note:
Custom “Yale blue” gowns are purchase-only.
All other gowns provided by the Cap and Gown Agency are black.
Use of Doctoral Gowns
Ph.D., M.D., D.F.A., D.M.A., Dr.P.H.
- Black or Yale Blue doctoral gown
- Doctoral hood
- Tassel: Degree color
J.S.D.
- Black or Yale Blue doctoral gown
- Doctoral hood
- Tassel: Purple
- Recipients who earned their prior professional degree at an institution other than Yale may wear either a standard black doctoral gown, Yale Blue gown, or the doctoral gown associated with their degree-granting institution.
LL.M., S.T.M.
- Black or Yale Blue doctoral gown
- Master’s hood
- Tassel: Black or degree color
- Recipients who earned their prior professional degree at an institution other than Yale may wear either a standard black doctoral gown, Yale Blue gown, or the doctoral gown associated with their degree-granting institution.
M.ARCH., M.DIV., M.F.A., J.D.
- Black or Yale Blue doctoral gown
- Master’s hood
- Tassel: degree color